New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-28

Winter at Bowling treen, aih"'t" "'o f''
was mo-, az all times generally known. The Rebel
newspapers abstaiped from giving any information as
to bis exact whereabouts.
Your readers will perhaps remember lengthy
communication upon the Rebel means OF defense ID
this STATE, contributed by The writer to the columns
If Tur TRIBUNE some two months since. In that
expose avorred most confidently that the current
newspaper repots of the strength Of the Rebel army
gathered at lbis point were all extavagant exageea
tons, ard that the total number Of effective men mao
not at any time since last September exceeded 2o,VVV
men, Ny information upon the eubjec was POSITIVE,
although it did rot exactly coincide with the oeheI
Of certain of our GENERALS who found in the rumored
10 Of the hostile forces welcome excuse Tor con-
tinuing the work of 'preparation.' Since The o''u-
patton Of the town by our troops the statements o'
half dozen prominent citizens have proved my hg-
ures to Lave been perfectly correct. Much oil tue
time, willie fruiters expeditions to various points
were out under the respective commands OF Buck
ner Brechnrdge, Floyd and liindman, the garrison
did not number over $1,000. In view Of tois fa't,
the final voluntary yielding OF the Rebel generals to
the SO, 900 Unionsts that were watching them Ion
the defensive for months reflects credit upon their
prudence.
| In the communication above referred TO likewise
denied the popular story Of the formdableness OF
the Notifications at this point In this respect, the
truth was likewise On my side. Ii is certain that
Bowling Green might have been made real strong
Loll, bu, the efforts actually made by the Confeder-
ses in the terrifying line fell much short of that OBJ
iect All they had done consisted in the erection OF
those batteries covering the eastern approaches of the
town. and the partial completion Of those redonbts,
which might have possibly answered for rerelling an
assault, but would haye proved utterly inadequate,
even II finished, to Withstand "A protracted invest
ment The total number Of guns mounted at any
time inclusive OF the batteries did not exceed 30.
and among them the heaviest were 3-pounders.
Trustworthy in ormation has reached Gen.
Mitchell warranting the conclusion that there is not
now Confederate trooper in Kentucky, east OF the
Cumberland. The brigade that last held this point
has retreated across the State line, and was accord
ing to latest reports, making for Nashville. Tie
forces until lately stationed at Russellyille and Hop
kin.yiIle have also abandoned these plans The pre-
sumption was that they all ordered to Clsrks.
vile and Fort Donelson lsst week. Tie fall Of the
latter, tie news " which reached here last night,
confirmed ls correctness IobsldtfdDc uht'riherr
had been felt here az 10 the result Of the contes,
the Cumberland, owing TO tie belief that the greater
portion Of the Rebel army had gone 10 reinforce Fort
Dcnelson, and hence its auspcious ssue is tie more
gratifying to us. Tire loyal inhabitants of this yicin-
10y especially rejoice the capture Of mos' of the
Rebel Kentucky troops, inasmuch RS they were pre-
emiuently overlooking with brag and buster while
stationed here.
| Gen. M,chels command will have TO await the
arrival Of supplies here before continuing lie march
upon Tennessee. The General and his troops are
very anxious to be fret in NASHVILLE, but il now
seems M though Gen. Giant and bis victorious army
would be ahead OF them. However, although the
bulk OF ne division cannot now move, the whole OF
it il by 10 means Idle. The cavalry has been scout
lux the whole country around in vain search Of the
enemy. Strong mounted bodies left this morning
with view T. advancing as far South IA Franklin,
lie Ear west as Rurss llvie. They do not expect TO
meet any resistance, but 40 prepared for fray.
There il IN excellent stone turnpike from thin
place 10 Nashville, and after columns again get
in motion, tho capital Of Tennessee will be ours IN
less than three days, should Gen. Grant not pre-
viously occupy it. The disiao is only 81 miles