Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-01-31
THE VICTORY IN KENTUCKY.

ne Conufmailon OF tue leuelal NlCtuil III
Kentucky has heen received, and to-day we
publish a dispatch from Gen. Thomas an
nounciug that the rout Of the rebels was COM
plete, and that the federal forces have captur-
ed property to large amount. This is a
heavy blow to the rebels, as the position Of
Zollicofer on the Cumberland river, in the
southeastern part Of Kentucky, was one of
the three great rebel strongholds in Kentucky
the first being at Columbus, in the extreme
west, soon to be attacked by the Mississippi
fotila the second at Bowling Green, in Cen
tral Kentucky, before which is the principal
part of the federal army under Gen. Buell.
and the third in the east being the one just
captured by our troops. This last position
was naturally the strongest Of the three posi-
tions. surrounded by hills rising 20 the height
OF 800 to 400 feet, which Zollicofer had
strongly fortified, Smmandng all approaches
by the river. - well as through the valleys
and the creeks on the north and on the south.
The position also commanded all the coal
mines and many Of the salt wells south Of
the Cumberland. ZollicoTer's forces consist
ed of from 5000 to 5000 men. but fearing an
assault from Gen. Schnpf, he had, but a
few days previous to the battle, been rein
forced by about $4,000 men under the rebel
Gen. Crittenden, eldest son of the loyal Ken
lucky Senator Crittenden,) making force Of
20 600 to $4,000 men. The federal forces
were Of about equal numbers, consisting Of
some 5000 men under Gen. Schupf, and
5000 under Gen. Thomas, which last force
had been detached by Gen. Buell. to attack
Zollcoffer in the rear.
This is a very important victory, the posi-
ton being the key to the important roads
leading into Tennessee, and giving the Union
forces a chance to advance through Cumber-
land Gap to the assistance Of the Unionists Of
East Tennessee, and if properly followed up
will result in the capture Of the Virginia aud
Tennessee Railroad, which is one Of the
sources Of supply to the rebel army in Nir-
gnia, and may compel the rebels to eyacuate
Manassas before this blow shall be followed
up by an equally severe one by Gen. Burn
side, cutting off all communication between
Virginia and the Southern seeded states.
1t also opens up way for the lauking Of the
rebel stronghold at Bowling Green, and may
compel its evacuation before they too are
surrounded by Gen. Buells forces on one side
and the Mississippi expedition on the other.
Altogether it is an important victory to tue
Union forces. and one OF the severest blows
that could fall upon the rebels, and if only
followed up with that efficiency which we
have reason to believe it will be, and ior
which our troops have been so long prepar-
ing viii tell with most saddening effect upon
the ,v0einUn. vigorous anu couovrtv,i
movement by Gen. Wool from Fortress Mon
roe Gen. Burnside's forces from the North
Carolina coast, and portion of Gen. Buell.
forces from Kentucky through East Tennes-
see together with the army Of the Potomac,
would sent terror into the rebel camps in Vir-
guia, and would give US an easy and speedy
victory at Manassas and break the heart OF
secessia.