The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-06
SPECIAL coxREsroKDxscR OF raz pIspArcs.l !
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NASaYsLLE. lee. a. lSfl

NASHVILLE, Dec. 81, 1861.
Will General Buell. with his forty, fifty or
sixty thousand men, or with Whatever force
hs has--:or 1t is yariously estimated from
forty TO eighty thousand-attack General
Johnston at Bowling Green, or at any other
strong position this side Of Green rivere-
That is the question justnow OF greatest in.
terest in this part OF The country. Ac-
cordicg TO rumor, battle has been immi.
nsnt every cay for more than a week past.-
Many OF our citizens, who had ambition to
see light and to have d hand in one, left
their peaceful vocations, and went to Bow
ling Green a few days ago, under the full con.
victton they would be era.ified. They re-
turned, however, without smelling gunpow.
der. There is q continual flow and ebb OF
public opinion, with respect to y battle
Now, again, it 10 thought, there will rot be
one On that line. Tomorrow, perhaps, news
may be brought in OF the movements OF
troops that would create ano ther excitement.
In fact, BuelI and Johnston are checkma tit z
each other in Kentucky, Just as Me Clelian
and Johnston have been doing i'll Virginia
for some time past. The Ii, e of communica.
ton On which their armies rect is scarcely l~ss
important than that from Washington t.
Richmond. should Johnston be defea ted!
Nashville would be in danger, and this ci "
occupies position strategtcaily ana geo.
graphically as important as Rich inond
On the other hand, should Buelrs army he
routed the way would be open TO LexinR ton
and frankfort, and may be to Louisville
and Covington. Thus, it Will be sesn what
powerful. motives these 0enersls have no. TO
risk a decisive battle unless well assured Of
success. Had our COmma nder force equai
to the of the enemy he would undou btedly
advance and force battle or a retreat But
the Fe0erals have had too many defeats with
n hor afoG fhnyn r.,x
troops in nything like Il strong position. If
they could 1lght us in detail before their
own entrenchments, or raw us into weak
situations, they might venture an g. 81 "a ga-
ment with their superior force; 1 nave no
idea they will fight under other circum-
stances. Indeed, the experience Of the war
shows this. For these reasons do think the
Federal Commander will not attack Gen.
Iohpston's army at Bowling Green, or in any
other position where he nigh. be likely to
accept general engagement, and, therefore,
1 adhere TO the opinion that there will be no
great battle in that part of the State unless
1t be demanded from Washington, as The bat
tie of Manassas was.
Another subject of great interest which
occupies the public mind il that Of
the trouble between Great Britain and the
United States. Every telegraphfc dispatch
to the press OF Nashville is eagerly looked
for, ana devoufed with ayidtty. We were
rejoicing un til The last day or two over the
prospect OF war between the two countries,
out the last news from washington hae
checked our joy. The Dragging Yankees be-
gin to shake at the knees before the growl Of
tho old lion. We fear that Mr.. Secretary
Wellea will swallow his Wilkes's letter OF ap-
prOval and Congress will eat its own words
England may, no oWever, under the iT fl ence
pf the war fever at home, aud the pressure
upon her for the want OF cotton, compl ca te
the question, and not let the Yankees escape
Sfie has fine opportunity to interp pose now,
ifshe be disposed, Our prayers are that she
may not let the va KEGS escape. We shall
be continually Oh the gui rire for news rela.
ting 10 this imbroglio VgRIrAs