Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-23
EAST TRNNEssER.


From the Richmond Examiner, January H.
The campaign in East Tennessee has assumed seri
GUS form. The commandment of that military district
Gen Kirby Smith, is now in Richmond, on a special
mission to consult with the government the subject
The affair of East Tennessee involves that of South
west Virgiuia and Gen Jeces, commanding that Con
faderate district has recently held consultation with
Gen. Floyd commanding the State line, the defenses
Of that region which has resulted in specific visit
Gen Floyd this city for conference with the suthor
ties here.
The cessation of hostties in the East has enabled the
Federal government 10 concentrate heavy forces in the
West The battle Of Murfreesboro' proves that they
may succeed in their designs upon East Tennessee by
dint Of numbers, and that the Federal govern
ment is supplying ROgecranz troops without stint That
government is determined to conquer Eest Tennessee
If bringing bear upon the object every possible phys
ieal appliance effect it. The stake is very impOr
tant one. The enemy already holds West ard Middle
Tennessee It requires but to occupy East Tennessee
have entire possession of of the valuable
States Of the Confederacy. They also feel bound in
honor and duty to render the long promised assistance
to the Unicnists OF East Tennessee.
Tennessee is more thoroughly theirs than Kentucky
when they fill this eastern portion of it with their
armies The essential geographical Importance OF this
country the Couedefaey is too obvious be dvvelt
upon. Through also a a great continental line
Of railroad Of which the South could not be deprived
wi hOut unspeakable detriment The importance Of this
road as an of supplies IS attested by the fact
that the recent burning OF two bridges upon H. sent up
the price OF sugar from seventy nFe cents to dollar
and quarter pound Us importance TO the supply Of
armies less considerable than to the supply Of
our general population.
The enemy are determined to conquer this country If
heavy concentration Of troops against it effect the
object Engaged themselves in Messing troops before
MUTfreesbOro, they thought oar Government would
certainly do the like; and in order TO prevent IT, they
dispatched bOiy Of cavalry from interior Kentucky
distance Of several hundred miles, against railroad
in East Tennessee which finding 10 obstacle In their
path. succeeded in reaching the railroad, burning two
bridges and escaping with from the tasdy pursuit
which made after them
The time has arrived when the government no
longer with prudence, neglect the defenses Of that
country. Measures must immediately be taken to
them or shall lose East Tennessee and Southwest
Virginia including the railroad and salt works in less
than six weeks Two modes of defense present them
selves The one consists in staonng troops in and
the gaps Of the mountains and resisting the first
approach Of the enemy. This plan Of defense is said
be advocated bv General Smith for East Tennessee and
is the one practieed by General Floyd for Southwest
Virginia The latter general went far beyond the noun
ains attacked the ensmy at his depots of supply 10
tueky, and breaking up projected expedition by nip
The other plan of defense consists in sleaving the
mountain gaps undefended and Withdrawing 10 the line
of the railroad and the villages that skirt t awaiting
there the enemys approach This Is said 70 be the plan
of Gen Marshall II is proved 10 be defective one
for while GeU. MaTshas forces quietly resting on
the line of the road the other day the enemy came IN
seen through the uRdefended gaps Of the mountains,
dashed down upon the road at point where General
Marshall happened not to be, did their work OF desruc
ton and escaped unpunished The plan will not an
swer and is frsugkt with danger. We infinitely
superior to the enemy in cavalry Where ever he has
place of rendezvous for troops, depot Of supplies,
however far within bis lines, there should cavalry
ever be lowering, eager to dash upon their prev.
Our Confederate cavalry ought 10 he making raids
into Kautucky from East Tennessee and Southwestern
Virginia instead Of mgoriou>y hugging the raj road
and villages, and permitting the enemy dash in
amongst them striking their blow aud escape unhsrmsd
in gh gse. IF half the enterprise had been exhibited
in the district under consideration, which has been
shown by Forrest, Morgan and Wheeler in the West,
Stuart and HsmpCD in the East and the troops OF the
State line the waters of The Guysnd0tte and Big
SANDY the ereuv neverwoud have dared TO conceive
the project of a raid upon the railroad Of East Tennes
sse and would be projecting large scale the
corquest OF that country.
It is believed that the Confedsrse government has
army that district of country adequate for its protee
ton against any ordinary fore Of the enemy. But facts
have recently transp red which leave doubt that a
very heavy Federal forcs is e9neenra ting ag linst it
Alive to the emergency, some Of the commanding off
GERS in that country in Richmond for conferences
with the government, and doubt that adequate
and energetic win at be tsken meet
hs grave emergency Of the case.