Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1862-07-04
The Var IN East Tennessee.

The Columbus Ga. Sun has an editorial re-
viewing the position of affairs in East Tennes.
see, which we copy, inasmuch as, in the whirl
of stirring events near home, the more distant
fields Of operation have to some extent been
lost sight of:
1t is now quite evident that the eneray are
about to put into execution their long threaten
ed inroad upon East Tennessee. From the
best information we can gather of the situation
of affairs in that sect ion, we take it that fight
ing will soon commence there in earnest. The
Yankees already have possession of Sequatchie
Valley, productive and stock growing count
ry, and have force of perhaps not less than
900 mel in Powens Valley, portion OF coun
try still more important to an army in the
way Of provisions. But the great valleys of
the Tennessee Hiwassee, Holston, and French
Broad rivers are still in possession of our
troops, and can, we have reason to hope, Oe
held against almost any force that may assail
them We think it altogether probable that
Cumberland, Wheeler's and Big Creek Gaps,
will be evacuated, if indeed they have not
been already, and that our forces will make a
stand at Chattanooga, Kinston, and Beams Sta
tion, in order 60 keep the enemy North of Wal
lens Ridge and the Clinch Mountains. This,
we feel confident can be done successfully with
the force now under Gen. Smiths command,
which cannot be less than 10000 men. There
are besides this force, which is low estimate
several efficient guerilla bands, among which
that of the famous Morgan is the most conspc-
uous. This line Of defence, should it be adopt.
ed, will save to us about shree fourths of the
territory of East Tennessee, including Jones.
borough, Greenville, Knoxville, Athens, Cleve.
land, Chattanooga, and the line of railroad
from Chattanooga to the Virginia line,
The part of East Tennessee thus defended is
one of the most productive aud healthy regions
Of country in the Confederate States. 1t con.
tains, even now, bacon, corn and -four, in great
abundance. Nearly every farmer has bacon
to SELL and which can be bought at not exceed
ing twenty seven cents per pound. 1t is one OF
the finest wheat countries in the South, and we
have it from good authority that the wheat
crop in that section this year will fall but Its
tie short Of the average crop, particularly in
the upper counties. There is, perhaps, at
this time more hogs and cattle in the thirty one
courties of East Tennessee than in the whole
State Of Georgia. and upon this account, were
there no other consideration, that section should
be defended at any cost.
While it is true the majority of the voting
population in East Tennessee is deeply tinged
with torysm, it is equally true that some OF
the most staunch Southern men, and many of
our ablest military leaders, are East Tonnes
sesans. There is one fact in connexion with
this disloyal section not generally knoWn.-
Nearly every man asd boy capable Of bearing
arms who,were advocates OF separate State &C
tion, ARE now in the Southern. army ,and although
the conscription act is net in force there, they
have Joined for the war. In addition to this,
there are to certain knowledge, not less
than one third of the original Union men now
in that section-ths ultras having joined Lin
coin in Kentucky, many of the more moder-
ate have changed their views since Lincoln's
free negro policy was promulgated in Novem
Der last, while the remainder, being too indo'
lent and cowardly to take any part in the con-
test of arms, content to remain at home, :.
cultivating their farms, and make something to
support the army.