Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1863-12-11
A Eyv. arL!rapy DEPARTMENT..


Amid the reYsrses that have recently
bcfallen the Confederate arms in East
Tennessee, it is gratifying to learn that in
West Tennessee an army is springing up
like magic to resist tho invading foe, and
for the defence of West Teprossee, West
Kentucky, and North Mississippi to the
Tallahatchie river, to be known as tho do
partmeut of West Tennessse, undor the
command Of Col. II. v. Richardson, a
brave officer, who has achieved wonders
in the department sicce its first orgAniza-
ton.
Commencing as nc did with tho organi-
zation of n single regiment, surrounded by
Federal troops, and cut Off from tho Con
federacy, he has, with consuln,nate skill
and bravery. kept tho euemy back, or eva
ded pursuit when overwhelming numbers
! were brought against him. Thus bsset
with ever-harrassing difficulties and dan
gers, Colonel Richardson aud his laborious
| and equally:braro coadjutors moved on
steadily in organizing, first his "invincibe
Twelfth Regiment" and finally brigade,
composed Of tho following: Twelfth Ten
nessee; Col. J. Neeley's Fourteenth and
Col. F: NJ. Stewards Flheeath regiments OF
Tennessee cavalry, now thoroughly organ
lied and equipped; to which have been
added Co. r. II. Logwood's Sixteenth and
Col. j. w. Marshall's Seventeenth regi-
ments of Tennessee cavalry, and four bat
talions, commanded respectively by Lieut..
Col:G. w. Bennett, Lieut.. Col. D. Stew
art, Maj. Sam'I Street, and Maj. W. p.
Curler, (late Davenport's battalion.) 1t is
hoped and expected that the Confederate
Government, In establishing this depart
ment, will include within its Jurisdiction
the First regiment Tennessee cavalry, com
manded by Col. Duckwor:h; tho Second
regiment Tennessee cavalry, commanded
by Col. Barlow; and the Twelfth regi--
ment Mississippi cavalry, commanded by
Col. w. NJ. 1ngei all to report to Col.
Richardson.
Not only has Col Richardson fully or
gan:zed this effective force, and equipped
it, for the most part, at the expense of the
enemy, bu. he las while doing so, made
his name and command a terror TO tue
surrounding Federal posts. Since juno
last lie has captured from the enemy, &C
cording to their own estimates, about six
hundred thousand dollars worth Of stores,
arms, horses, mules, wagons aud clothing
mounting, armiug and clothing bis men,
and turning the remainder over to the Con.
federate GovernEert, along with some nine
hundred and odd prisoners.
As the commander Of the Department oil
West Tennessee Col. Richardson possesses,
| in An eminent degree, the confidence Of the
men and officers under him. and conse-
quently, tic old man and tho youthful,
stripping sc 10 Ls found in the ranks now
orgsn's'ng :;;-@'i alike hy patriotism, and
nerving t'f tee !..,, effort that ia to rid
them Of the presence Of the hateful foe.
AS President Folks Assistant Adjutant-
General for the organization Of Tennessee
troops during the Mexican war, Col. Rich.
ardson is possessed Of fund Of military
Information, experience and knowledge
that eminently Cts him for his positiag.
The grand oHjects Of bis operations have
been the maintaining of his ground, the
holding in okeck, aud the keeping ont OF
services at other points, largely superior
Federal forces, inaictiug permanent injury
upon the railroads and interrupting trans
portation of supplies to the Federal army.
All he asks of the Confederate Government
is to be left alone, FREQ to hunt and destroy
the enemy in the way that bstt; snits him
| -Riehmond Examiner.