, 1862-12-11
FROM GEN. RGsECRANS' ARMY.
Position and FFobeble Strength of The
Encmy--WiH they Fight 3-Fhe Nfnc-
teenIh F1Ifno1E-Ehe Reported SuT.
render Of Col. Il0ore's Brigade Dis
credited.
Especial Correspondence Of the. Chicago Tribune
NASHVILLE Der + 1862

Especial Correspondence Of the. Chicago Tribune
NASHVILLE, Dec. s. 1862.
have little or no news from the enemy. I
have sent you full accounts Of the concentra-
tion Of the enemy about Duck River; all this
is confirmed. Polk's corps isat Murfreesboro
and Hardee and Kirby Smith are at Shelby
Vile The organization Of the rebel army as
sent it to you some time ago, is very
nearly correct; but the figures were over
estimates. The best informed officers
here put their available force at 60,0O0. This
I think is very near the force Of the whole
army Of the three corps-teu divisions, and
the cavalry. I understand that information
has hcen received at head quarters to the ef-
feet that transportation for SS,0 coo men WAS
issued at Chattanooga. This was exclusive of
the corps Of Kirby Smith aud Breckinrigc's
division. The figures must therefore include
the corps Of Polk and Hardcc, each Of which,
according to this, would he 19,ooo strong If
We estimate Kirby Smiths at 1000, and
Breckinridge's at 1900, it will make the rebel
force past coco strong. The organization,
changed materially since my last, places Polk
on the right wing. Kirby Smith on the cen
trc, aud Hardcc on the left,
WILL THEI FIGHT?
This question is rapidly becoming interest
ing. You may set it down that they will, and
if Gen. Rosecrans docs not soon take the Of
fensiye, they will fight US where we now are.
There are many, very many more improbable
things in heaven and earth, than an attack on
us by the rebels. Activity is necessary to
their existence. They want more territory
the5 want greater stealing facilities, and they
want many articles which they can only get
By capturing them. They will wait our com-
ing if they can, and if we do not move too
soon, they will attack Us. But fancy ours
will be tile aggressive part-it would be con-
traband to say why.
TIE 18th ILLINOIS.
t am sorry to say that the 10Th is again
deep in troub1e-trouble growing out Of the
late appointments, but hope that now that
Col, Scott has arrived that peace and quiet
will be restored. The following are the new
apppointments-you have doubtless already
published them, but it is necessary to an ex-
plapation Of the trouble that they should be
published again: Lieut, Col Joseph Scott has
been appointed Colonel; Capt Alexander
Raffiu, Lieutenant Colonel; Capt. james Y.
Gutherie, Major; and Lieut.. L. B. Bangs,
Adiutant. The new Colonel, Major,
and Adjutant are highly acceptable
to the regiment, but certainty me un-
60 Ereat that amt seriously afraid the eff
ciency Of the regiment may be injured by it,
Ccl. Ratf1n's unpopularity has made him the
victim Of serious insults from the men. It is
said that they pay him no respect whatever,
and that in one or two instances his tent has
tempts to justify in the men, and
Hayden, Co. A, who has been in command
Of the regiment during the absence Of Colonel
Scott, to induce the men to pay proper re-
spect to Lieut- Col. Raf6n, but in vain. The
appointment is as highly unpopular with the
officers as with the men, and some are resign
| ing, and Others getting themselves detailed
| in staff duties and courts martial
1 know nothing in regard to the merits OF
dement's Of Lieut.. Col Klffln, and do not say
| this for the pur1 ose Of injuTing him in the
| least. I profess to have noble purpose in
thus revealing the troubles in the camp Of the
18th. The Governor who has the appointing
power should learn lesson from this instance
and know that it is q great injury to any regi
| ment to appoint man unpopular with the
| regiment to field Office. Lieut.. Col RaflI
may or may not deserve this unpopularity.
| know nothing about that only sec that hi:
appointment has created great trouble in tht
regiment, and learn that it was g. great sur
prise when it Was announced that he had bee,
appointed, and mean to argue by the pre-
sentation Of this statement or llust1a