The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-02-07

.sOrt7cs Surf. AT.kyal X. R.,l
n ! ~ Knoxsille Isl 10. 1862.
Editor w RhSrvj RI ~ The new
|britebl al Gnion.. ORR The upber Holston
viii IS psS3edlby' de ttains q day. This
will enatIe usI "a runa0ut trbins through
witIfJat delay. The burning of the bridge
at nat plsce, wfth4tl5s one over Lick
Creek, has been o heavy calamity to the
travelling public, rs well as to the shipping
managers of the road an amount of labor
and trouble which can only be appreaiat-
ed by the few who have felt such things.
II istes be hoped that we may not soon
have e. pass through o similar ordeal. Be
this ~ II may his road has become o
great military necessity, and must be de.
fended--must b worked u is one Of
the great arteries, Of the South, which
must pulsate until the body is dead. II
the Southern Confederaey lives, as will
this road; and Tennessee will i've, through
which 1t runs, and the Southern Confed-
eracy will live, notwithstanding the fiery
furnace through which. they may, have 70
pass. Our sons may be slain in battle,
and die las many have already by disease,
our coast be rasaged, our cities burned;
but the great great heart of the South will
outlive it all, and we shall leave to our
posterity goodly heritage, % redeemed
country. Such, at least is my confidence,
and so confde because We are in the
right. a,-.a-s-s-y ~ Ell
1t may hot be anniss that an explana-
ton should be here made in regard to the
detention Of passeng gers all night at Knox.
vile about which there has been much
dissatisfaction and some newspapers criti-
cism. Travellers east, since the burning
Of the bridges, have staid over all night oil
Knoxville for these reasons. If they had
gone Immediately on, they would have
had to pass the portage at the burnt
bridge in the night, over very bad road
which would have been dangerous, to say
nothing of the discomfort to women,
children and infrm persons. All this
might have been encountered, but then
they would have had to lay over the bal.
ance of the night and next day before
they could go cas-, sht Bristol. IN ! e',rarl
A word about recent newspaper in.
situation that. the delay at Knoxville
might be to the benefit Of some of the au.
thorities Of the road, by their. possible
connection with eating houses, or taverns
here. As to myself, l know no keeper OF
public house in Knoxville, but Mr..
Humphreys, and if 1 was to seek bust.
ness connection with him, it would be to
be connected with charitable mot mo.
ney making) concern, for am very con.
fident that he and his kind and benevo
lent wife give away every day to suffering
soldiers and others more than their pro
fits. It's bad enough to be Railroad
superintendent, but to add to it hotel
keeper, would be too much for humen
endurance. / am connected with this
road, hoping to be able to do some good
to my country. When l may see that
can be of no service in this way, my con.
nection with it will certainly terminate al
once. One word more. i.r .4st
There is here now large amount Of
goods to transport. We shall give gov.
eminent goods the preference. After this
we shall las near as possible) give goods
theirturn. so that shipper living in New
Orleans or Richmond, will do as well to
be absent as present. If I felt authorized
to make distinction at all. in as be.
tween private shippers, it would be against
any who might be constantly worrying
and belsbouring mo, about the impor
lance of their particular goods being put
through at once-the Importance in most
cases, Is simply the importance of making
money. Very respectfully,
JOHN w. LEWIS, Supt.