Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-24
The Occupation of NnshviIIe-HOw it has
been Held.

been Held.
The occupation of Nashville by the Union
forces has been marked by interesting and ex-
citing incidents. Although the grand prize in
that quarter for which the rebels have been
planning. they have never made determined
assault upon it yet, though not regularly be-
sicged, it has been cut off from all commune
cation with the outer world. Cutoff from all
supplies, the garrison has been forced to sub
sist off the country, and its sallies, with but
few exceptions, have been for the purpose of
securing subsistence. Concerning the course
of events during this state of semi-siege, we
copy some interesting facts from the cores
pondence Of the Cincinnati Gazette:
FIGHTING FOR RATIoNs.
Gen. Negley, came into charge of the city
about the fifth of September. He had five
days rations for the two divisions, which re-
manned in the city as its garrison, and both of
which he commanded as the senior of Gen.
Palmer commanding the other, the first divi-
sion of the army of the Mississippi. The
scanty supply of rations indicated early the
necessity of looking about him for a source of
supply; and Negley saw that he had to de-
pend upon the country for it. The period
for which the supply was to be continued was
indefinite enough, and the present appearance
of the country in this vicinity indicates that
had it been extended few weeks longer,
that supply would not have sufficed for his
command. AT the beginning the men were
placed on half rations, and the prospect look
ed dreary enough. 1t would puzzle the COM
missary at this day to tell how the men have
been supplied. He states that he only knows
that it has been done, and certain Uncle Sam
cannot grumble at the bill which is to be pre-
sented, as ''old Secesh has had to foot. it,
The country, for fifteen miles around the city,
has been stripped. Immense forage trans,
miles in extent, have been dispatched semi
occasionally, with entire brigades for guards.
Foraging has been pursued under difficulties,
it often happening that guards had to fight with
the rebels for the possession of the forage,
and then with the element of fire as to who
should consume it.
THE CITIZENS ON SHORT COMMONS.
As the natural result of being shut off from
supplies, the citizens soon began to want for
the necesSaries of life. The rebels allowed
nothing whatever to be brought in by country
men, probably hoping thus to force Negley,
through humanity, to allow the citizens to go
beyond the lines in search of what they need
ed. But Negley told them that he would per-
init anything to be brought in to them, but
they should not go for it. The ''short ration
system" among the citizens soon began to re-
veal its effects in curious and comcal features.
Hotel proprietors were forced to inform their
boarderS that the pickets drank their milk, and
ate their butter and cheese; that fresh beef
was luxury intended only for the military
gentlemen, and that, IN consequence, he should
have to close his doors. When a few market
men appeared in sthe market-house, it was to
find the place besieged by halt-fanlished citi-
zens, who paid any price for provisions. The
social board, in many families, was dressed
but twice a day, and then scantily. Starva-
ton and stagnation stared them in the face.
ORGANIZATION OF NEGRO REGIMENTS.
The principal duty assigned to General
Negley was the completion, at an early day,
of the work of defense for the city. Those
being constructed by Captain Morton were on
an extensive scale, and highly important
Negley is man of energy. He Immediately
seized two thousand negroes, constituted them
into regiments colored regiments
gave them quarters to themselves, and put
them to work vigorously at the Notifications.
The regiments OF laborers are regularly con-
sttuted as regards discipline. and commanded
and otticered' by the more intelligent men to
be found amongst them. Their efficiency has
been thoroughly tested, and it has been as
certalned that twice the amount of such labor
can be got out Of them as can be forced from
the same number of detailed soldiers In adj
dition to the extensive forts, the main avenues
were barricaded, and under the supervision of
Negley, the city was made impregnable to
cavalry dashes. Fourteen of the heavy guns
left here spiked by the enemy, have been I'M
spiked and mounted in different parts of the
city. Besides the other defenceS, General
Negley built gunboat of such light draft
that 1t can be used in the present stage of the
water.