Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1862-01-31
Iattle OF Fishing creek.
d NERO BAs kAL1TN"

In the battle. of Fishing Greek We have
TO chronicle thefrst defeat of Southern
troops, worthy of note, during the present
war To q people struggling for liberty,
aud upon whose banner victory has here
tofore almost invariably perched in tri-
umph, the news of def at comes doubly
: chilling, and a reverse of fortune, though
it be but temporary, falls with double Sc
verify upon the ear which in days past had
caught only the sound of victory and the
exultant shouts of a peace-conquering
soldiery.
Our loss, in point Of. numbers, we have
reason to hope, is not so heavy as at first
anticipated; but VIC have little left us from
which to draw consolation, when we re-
member that upon the banks of Fishing
Greek perished one of Tenncssces noblest
sons-FELIx X. ZoLLIcoFFER.
Dark rumors are ahoat in regard to the
General commanding, who ordered the
attack, and drove Gen r. and HE devoted
little band, like sheep to the slaughter,
into the jaws of death-into an unequal
conflict with overwhelming numbers, with
death or disgrace as their only alterna-
tives but we await, with feverish anx-
iety, an investigation of the affair, and for
the present forbear giving further publici-
ty to accusations which may prove nujust,
ungenerous, and unfounded. We hone
that Gen. Crittenden has not acted with
that degree of rashness or insincerity of
motive imputed to him but should it
prove true, there are none more ready to
pronounce deserved censure upon a
reckless exposure of the lives Of those who
protect us and ours.
But we leave this for discussion at
future period, should occasion require it.
At present, we have more painful duty
to discharge
ZoLLIcoFFER has fallen A patriot,
statesman, christian, and warrior, has per-
ished.-pcrishe6 at the head of brave
co!um, beating back the vanda hordes
who seek to pollute our soil with their un-
hallowed tread. The blood stained wind
ing sheet envelopes form upon which
T9nnesseeans we're wont TO gaze with ad-
miration--a voice to which they have Of
ten listened with respect and esteem is
forever hushed, and the pride of noble
soldiery "sleeps the sleep that knows no
waking" We pause amid the progress of
mighty revolution to pay the last sad
tribute of respect to hero upon whose
brow, in years agoue, fadeless %reathes of
honor were entwinod as a just acknowl.
edgement of services rendered an appre;
ciative people.
The death of Gen Zolicoffer leaves a
void in the hearts Of the people of Ten
nessee, and creltes vacancy in the Con-
federate army which can never be filed
Others of equal military merit and quail
hcation may be found to supply HIS Va
can't place in tho service, but there is no
one to whom the people would look with
so much confidence, and in whom Tennes-
see troops would place their trust and SO
implicitly rely as their late aud lamented
oommander-no one to whose command of
forward they would so cheerfully re-
spond--no one under whom they would
fight with such determination and unrir-
ing zeal--no one from whose Voice they
would catch such inspiration-no ono
whom they would so gallautly sustain in
charge, and no one whose loss they would
so much deplore.
In all the relations Of life Gen. 2olli-
Golfer was the same high.toned, christian
gentleman. But it is useless for us TO
talk of him to those who knew him so
we'll, for with all his name has been famil-
lar as household words ever since this
struggle began, and deep down in their
hUart OF hearts they will cherish his NOM
ory forever. There beats not true Sou.
thorn heat which does not throb with un.
u,tcrablo grief for the loss of ZollicOier
and those who perished with him in that
death charge. Withered be the hand
which does not the more firmly grasp the
Avenging sword
Up, Tenncssccahs and ay.ngc thcnr