Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-08-20
Faom GIN. BURL1's ARmY.
Special Correspondence Of the Phladsphia Press
CAMP NEAR BATTLE CREEK,
FIvE MILES EAST OF BRIDGEPORT,

ElFk MILLS EAST OF BhIDGEPOHTf
August 1856
A large portion of Gen. Buell's fine army is
encamped here in an exquisite valley bordering
upon the Tennessee river, and situated between
the Cumberland and Raccoon mountains Battle
creek IS a small rivulet,- terminating a. ths
/ point, where it flows into the Tennessee river.
The whole Of BuelPs camp lies Immediately
under the Cumberland mountains, stretching its
/ continuous length in right line to the north
! east, while upon the other hand is the Tennes-
/ see river, bounded upon the east by the Rscc0on
range Of mountains The scenery Of the valley
IS deligbtful--at intervals shaded by groves Of
oaks and other trees Of a sturdy character fresh
| ened BY springs aud TiYulets Of sparkling, enrg-
Ing water, hagrans with flowers Of every hue
and order, dotted over with villas, plantations,
and residences, and musical with thousands oi
the feathered songs5ers--the whole lending
charm at once suggestive CT the vision Of the
faded Rasselas.
Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to
assure you of the great change in the policy Of
Gen Buell.. From the major-general in com
msnd, to the colonies of the respective regiments
different policy is being vigorously pursued
Inc army for the last four weeks has been on
half and third rations, as far as the government
is concerned, but, at the same tune, cur men
have Jared sumptuously on green corn. beans,
melons, and fruit of all kinds, with saYoTy addi-
ton OF mutton, veni5on, veal, and other luxu-
ries OF animal food.
Notwithstanding the neighbors tell Us that
this ls the most unhealthy month Of the year, and
that the valley is by no means an absolutely
healthy situation for large body Of men, our
troops were never in the possession Of such uni
versally good health, information to that effect
being rendered me by the surgeons of regiments.
The regiments are all on the increase, occasioned
By the return Of those who have been absent on
tUrlough. New clothes, regulation hats, etc,
have been provided for all the regiments, en-
sbEng them to present a clean and soldierly ap-
pearsnce.
Therefore, taking everything into considera-
ton, Buells army were in never so fine cOndi-
ton as at the present time. The regiments are
al fuller than they We're before Corinth the
men composing them possess superb fighting
qualities and powers Of endurance, having had
experience at Belmont, D0nels0n, Shiloh and
Corinth, and know no such word as fail the
tout ensemble of officers and men is new and
complete in change, while the discipline Of these
hardy sons of the West compares favoFably
with that of the regular army
hlaJoT-Gcn. mcCOok is at present in command
OF the three divisions already here and is good
soldier, and possesses ability of the most sterling
character. Gen. Buell. and staff are expected in
few days. As a proof that he is already pur-
suing different policy, I sm happy to inform
you that 20 property IS protected here whatever.
A determination seems to exist on the part of
those conspicuoUsly in command to afford no
more protection to th, Sc who have m any way
assisted the leaders Of the rebellion, while those
who ay0w themselves Union men must give the
most satisfactory proofs of loyalty to become
entitled to the most trivial of kindnesses
Our troops do picket duty by brigade, our
lines occupying q distance of several miles upon
one side of the river, while the enemy hold the
opposite side. No shots ara exchanged, although
our men are in communication at all times with
the rebels The scene is more romantic than
the situation before Corinth, as persons upon
tbs side Of the river can hear plainly every word
Of couveTsation which takes place upon the
other, especially in some places where the river
is very narrow. If the rebels esn be believed, !
Gen. Bragg Is IN command. The camp Of the
Kentucky II tn and 26sh is opposite that OF the
rebel Helms cavalry, many of the men upon
each side being intimately acquainted. Every
conceivable kind OF conTersatiOu occurs between
the two parties the rebels generally being more
saUcy Gud defiant than are our men. The enemy
seem 10 be very well aware Of the fact that our
army have been short of subsistence, and often
shout, Boys, you're only on half ratons we
have plenty to spare :" Both parties exchange
newspapers, and we frequently read the Atlanta
and Knoxville journals. The m0dRs operandi of
the exchange is novel, each party swimming to
the middle ST the river with a newspaper 10 his
mouth. An exchange Of coffee and tobacco is |
often made in somewhat the Same marneS, the !
parties always shaking hands before they sepa-
rate
Witnessing such friendly exhibitions and |
honorable meetings, it is sometimes question |
able in ones mind if war really exists. But if (
you walk along the shore a short distance you |
will see some follows amusing themselves by /
merely pointing their guns at rebel objects, /
making use of some such expressions as the fol- /
lowing But couldn't l pop that butter-nut |
off that stump " Lord, how quick / could 4
send that gray back below " Fut an ilecent /
shot fer q teler like meself; y I" How quick I |
could jerk that fellows head Of Of its hinges;" /
and divers other expressions, which urge me to /
believe that all exhibitions Of friendship are /
transit0ry in fact.
And equally ludierous transactions occur
upon the opposite side, the iGloEing being their
expressions: How is al our
Yankee friends to-day How much did |
you find at Corinth - 90 What did YOU do |
with these twenty thousand prisoners that Hal
leck took there How do you ever expect
to cross this river " How long do you ex-
pect to keep the railroads open Next time
We get after you we'll drive you to - 3"
a." How about Richmond " Where's Ere
mont " Have you heard from Besuregard %
while Bull Run F" is the general salute.
as long, and end as tamely, as everything con
nected with the investment and evacuation of
Corinth. Already we have camp rumors that
the enemy are leaving the river, although we
listened to eight different tattoos last even
leg, leaving no room to doubt but that a large
number Of men are directly opposite US. The
enemy are slso at Jasper, small town In the
Sequstehie vslley, upon this side Of the river
distant about six miles, and drove IN our piekets
~ r1frs rhro. rfv u. I
moved two miles from here, and remained in
line of battle two hours.
A Mrs. Bostic, who resides in this neighbor-
hood, crossed the river yesterday, under flag of
truce, permission having been granted her to
visit her husband, who is a captain in the rebel {
service. Mr. Bostic owns large plantation, and
aboutsforty slaves. In this vicinity are twelve !
houses, the male residents Of which are all ab-
sent, most of them being in the rebel service. !
Mrs. Bostic has informed many Of the officers
here that her husband was Union man. but i
entered the Confederate ranks voluntarily to 7
avoid being pressed, and to insure the safety of
bis property II
Largo numbers Of the Union citizens of this {
county come into our camps, and We derive very
valuable information from such sources. What J
is still better, large numbers refuse TO leave our
camps but have formed themselves into 9 COM
paDY under man named Smith, rich farmer, 7
esiding few miles east Of Jasper, and drill Z
three times day. They draw rations and sub |
ect themselves to the discipline connected with /
3 soldiers life. Their stories Of rebel barbara
lies, in this portion Of Tennessee, are almost in
credible, ,
hope soon to witness great activity in this i
department. A successful battle at this point, {
and the occupation Of Chattanooga, would be /
one Of the most brilliant successes Of the war.
It will be q most difficult march, as we have
many obstacles on our route. But Gen Buell. ]
has the men aud means. His troops are in good (
order end only too vyillino IN acoriescs in an,,