The New York herald., 1862-02-21
THE BRIDGES DESTROYED IN TENNESSEE.


Locality of the Bridges Reported De-
ssrOycd-The Importance Of the Rail-
road Connection to the Rebels-The
Proximity to Florence-Sketches OF De-
catur, Bridgeport, Skc.-Map OF the Viz
cinity-Ljcutenant Phelps Report i'm
Full, &C., sc.
We present our readers with map Of the vicinity of
the bridges the Tennessee river reported hav
ing been destroyed by Union citizens IL will be
that Decatur occupies important position the rail
road inasmuch it is tho point at which the Nashville
and Decatur Railroad intersects the Memphis and
Charleston Railroad. The former well hsfatter,
crosses the Tennessee river this point by OF
bridge, the road to Nashville being due north, and
leaving Decatur at point, while that to Richmond
Charleston &C., proceeds in castery direction, and
another point Of the river not Far from the
former road. Judging from the despatch, it
would appear that the bridge on the eas,
side Of Decatur had been destroyed. If so,
rebel communication between Nashville and the
thus been cut Off via the Nashville and Decatur road
communication, however, would then still be open be
tween Nashville and the East via the Nashville and Chat
tanooga Railroad but, the other portion Of the report b
true that hope Of the rebels would also he bghted for
Il said though not confirmed that the bridge Bridge
port has also been destroyed n this report should
ly provo true railroad between the rebels
at Nashville and their headquarters Richmond will have
been entirely cut or Further than this, the destruc
ton Of the other bridgeviz that the road leading to
Nashvilcwoud entirely isolate the rebels at that point
From all railroad communication with the East Memphis
Now Orleans and Mobile, and would prevent tho troops at
Nashville from going 10 Knoxville. Thus far, as re
CARDS the troops at Nashville the destruction OF these
bridges arc all important
But there Is also another important feature in conncc
ton with this movement These bridges form means by
which tho main railroad artery CT the South IL connected
and their destruction stops all commun caton bstvecn
the three important points Of the southwsst--Nempbs
New Orleans aud Mobilc--and Richmond, in Virginia
Charleston, In South Carolina; ssganna in Georgia and
last though not least, Knoxville, in Tennessee Az the
troops In virginia Charleston, &c. have had TO depend
npon this line for their supplies from the West the rebel
government have enAeavored far possible to keep
che communication open; aud, wssHvdont from the
CONSERVATION Of the robels when the bridges were
stroyed in Tcnsessce tho breaking Of the line must be
OF great distress TO them. n kept broker i
viii prove almost csdless ruin and 10 is should
sbey find time TO repair the damage before our troe
reach the spot the simple delay will cost them more
tban they Afford 10 spare at the present crisis o
syonts The destruction Of The bridge at Decatur aon.
effects this, and IL the st bridgeport DO slso de-
. stroyed this communication is doubly severed
THE REASONS FOR BELIEVING THE pEroRr
number OF persons have pretended to diseredt the
TN IN Of the report. There exist however very cool
veas rs for believing that may be true one or which
e tho -eport Of Lieutenant Pbcps which we give in full
,oday lilo says that in that portion Of Alabama the o
redtiopaS, officers had "met with the most gra,IryInv
proofs o Ioy,y," and that the inhabitants an crowds