Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1862-01-24
LETTER FROM GREEN RIVER.
Especial Correspondence Cincinnati commcroIal.I

Especial correspondence Cincinnatl Commefoinll
| The Weather--TAe worst for our Army
Heath Of the Troops Neutrality-suspicious.
msns of Gen. Thomas Dipision-Rsbel
Navigation cfMe Upper Cumterland-coL
WiiIch--A Gentle Hint. coos
MUNFoRDsvILLE, Jan. IL.
The prospect above 10 more promising t9
day, while the aspect beneath is yet anything
but encouraging. The rain has ceased,
but the mud still prevails, and seems to in
crease rather than decreasein depth. Militia
| ry exercises are impraoticahle. A clear sky
| and aggressive movements alone will re-
lieve the prevalent dissatisfaction. Proph-
ecies of both are plentiful. The wishes
are here, es elsewhere, the fathers Of
thoughts. Let II be hoped that the present
week will bring both weather and fair
| fighting
To an army in the field, bad weather Is,
indeed, much TO be dreaded. The great
est buoyancy Of temper will give way to
despondency under Its continued influence.
Nor Is Generalization the only i'll effect II
produces upon troops In active service. II
breeds quickly bodily Affections Of every
description. II is almost impossible TO pro-
tect ones self, in camp, full against the
inroads Of protractcd spell, upon health.
The greatest precautions avail but partially
and with the loseness Of the sanitary police
regulations, 10 is not to he wondered that
the hospitals in Gen. McCook's, Mitcbel's
and Nelson's divisions, have received con-
siderable accessions during the last eight
days. Ii IN advance should take place to-
day, doubt whether the various regiments
could average more than seven hundred
effective men, while the unfavorablo tenn
perature Of the week past undoubtedly con-
tributed largely TO the sickness in the camps
about here. II is also certain that the in
dolence and ignorance Of medical officers Is
equally responsibility. This is amply evil
denced by the fact that the regiments un-
affected with such, show less per centage
of sick than those whose physical well be-
ing is entrusted 10 quacks. A thorough
wedding out of the medical humbugs that
are decimating the army, appears to be i'm
peratively demanded. g
IL is with considerable reluctance that
record the fact Of the commencement of for
tifcations on the south bank Of Green river,
do not wish to deny the desirability Of an
efficient protection of the bridges by tete-
de pont to provide for possible, although i'm
possible contingencies. Previous to the ad-
vance Of tho Federal army under General
Mcdowell, Ia Manassas, prudent military
men advised the construction of strong
works for the defense of the Long Bridge.
The idea of defeat and general retreat To
Washington was then laughed at by many;
but the sequence proved that, had the Con-
federates been able to give pursuit, bit Joy
the tete-de,pont, they might have easily Cut
off the only means Of retreat across the Po-
tomac. In view Of the lesson Of the past, II
may be well enough to fortify on the south
bank. But II seems strange that nothing
was done in this line until after the railroad
bridge was completed How long we are to
J be engagrd here in fighting, am unable to
say; but the very erection Of Notifications
does not augur well for speedy advance.
Well, let us have patience, and wait
Parties arrived here yesterday from Co.
lumbia, report that General Thomas him
self moved on Friday morning from that
point in the direction Of the Cumberland
river with the greater part of his division.
: They expressed the belief that he would
cross where the road from jamestown and
Monticello interseots the river, and try to
get into the rear Of the rebels intrenched
near Somerset. But l think that his in
structions for the present are only TO put o
stop to the rebel navigation Of the river
. Since the late rise a very lively movement
! Of boats from Nashville has taken place.
: Immense quantities Of provisions and am
, munition are said to have been carried up
10 the rebel encampments. II will be re-
. membered that Captain Prince was sent to
the vicinity of Somerset some two months
l ago with view Of the erection Of small
work on the river for the command Of
the river, but was unfortunately made pris
oner. Since then nothing appears TO have
been done towards the accomplishment Of
the same object. Schoepfs command being
employed In holding Zollicoffer in check in
front, IL Is difficult to see why the rebels are
at all allowed to obtain access to and con-
troll Of tho coal mines and salt works on the
. upper Cumberland without even show oi
4 resistance. The supply Of coal and sal,
thus secured was worth q whole campaign
TO them. The counties Of this State south
OF the Cumberland are, in addition, full o.
/, stores Of grain and fodder, most Of which
\ will probably be carried of before We will
regain possession Of them. rv
: / can authoritatively contradict the rnmol
, Of the resignation of Col. Wilich. Will,
anything but edited with the general man
!. agement of the war, he thinks himself II
duty and conscience bound TO take care o
his men, that enlisted principally for III,
sake Of being led by him, until peace will
: allow them to return home. He Ia the SOU
! Of his regiment
: The Situation on hs Rebel side Strength an
Q Pocition Of Gen. Fioyds Brigade--M
: Great Thief fsted--0psrations for the DE
.fsnss efMe Cumberland Ricer-- Collection
Of Tars in Southern Kentucky--Steahn!
a Nsgrocs--Rsbel Depastations--Mud Soil
y .fsd-No Signs an Adrance
MuNPoRpsyILLE, Jan. 10,