Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-04-11
soushcrn News Through Nerlhern Sources.
Correspondence Of the Chicago Times
NfIrppRpRsRnpn Tnrr Mnrnh 1s

seutAeFn News Through Nerthern Sources.
Correspondence Of the Chicago Timss.l
MuRFREEsBoRo, Tenn, March 25
There has been no change in the situation
here since my last letter was writer, unless IL
be a change for the worse On nesrly an the
pixies leading cut Of MHrfTeesbor0 our piekets
have been drawn 10, and, moreover, grtatar
part Of the army has been sent to the rear. to
occupy the fOrti6ertions on both sides of Stone
river. The presencs Of tho enemy aloBg our
front, and the eoutinusd offensive demoDstra-
tons on our out posts, seem to have csused
this new disposition Of our forces The attacks
by the enemy upon our pickets have not i n eli
cases been mere Reconnaissance. On Saturday,
last, an attack was made by the rebels. who an
preached Us in considerable stTeugth, with a
supporr 4fg reserve of both cavalry aud artillery.
upon the Salem road. Our videttes were driven
in or captured the second line of outposts was
forced back, and for 3 time there was con
siderable prospect Of lively work Con
riers ran to and fro The long rool was
beaten, 4" to hOrss" was sounded. and ehers
Was every indication OF sn impandinO
general engagement. Gen. Sheridan's division,
which was nearest to the point of stack. sDeed
lily got under arms, and finally succeeded in "a
pulsing the enemy with considerable loss in
killed. wounded and prisoners. Il is reported.
on what authority am net aware, that this
AnVNSucHt "a kAo bIeuly was q mere taiUt to
cover the advance Of Claiborne's division from
Shelbyvile. At all events, It is pretty general
ly conceded that tbs rebel army is from four 70
eight miles nearer here than it has been AZ snv
time since its retreat
There seems 70 be now no expectation Of a
forward movement by this army. On the con-
trary, it is anticipated By the best informed that
the rebels viii advance upon Murfreesboro and
give battle On this very ground rather than
wait Tor Us TO come up and attack them We
have good resson to believe thst they have
been reinforced. and the lowest estimate of
their present force that I have heard is
$4,000. 1t was the impression at first
that the rebel programme was to en-
5eavor 70 held this army in check until the 1
of warm weather, when sick /
1ess incident to the climsse would he prevalent 4
in our camp, and our effective force thereby ma /
Eerially diminished. But the enemy has been /
nspirited by the knowledge of our situation,
and hence II is not improbable that he will 4
give Us bsttle in our own position. But II this
Is just it does not argue that the I
-ebels will be successful. The army here
hough not so large as has generally been esti-
mated, IS under very good discipline The
ToOps are certainly more OF less tired Of the war
'ut that is no reason to suppose that they are
% hopelessly demoralized as to be incapable Of
making good fight. There need be no ankle.
y as to the final result Of the campaign. The
ortune Of the Federal arms in this department
nsy be eventual aud discouraging for time,
'ut there is every element Of ultimate success At
and.