The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-10-28
Rirkmnnh gispatrb.
MORNING. .ocroBsa -. issa
FRon GEN. BRACES lanY.
[rxox OUR own coRRssrosnrsr.l

Aaxy % TESHEsssR, Oct. %. 1859.
We have interesting news from East Tennessee,
some account OF which you have doubtless re-
eeived ere this by telegraph. In this, 40 In the
matter Of Whesler's expedition, however, can
only fo'nish you with general account, leaving
Il to ssme one who was present TO supply the
details.
l learn from . weli-informed source that two
dispatches have been received by Gen. Rrags from
our cavalry forces operating the line Of the Bas
Tennessee Railroad. These forces consist Of two
brIsades, commanded respectively by Col Norri-
son. Of Georgia, and Col. DitbrelI, Of Tennessee.
The first dispatch states that they auacked the
enemy's cavalry on the aIst inst. At Philadelphia,
about sixty miles from Chattanooga by the rail-
road, capturing 400 prisoners their artillery, small
arms, camp eQuipage, &c. The second dispatch
states that the C0nfedcrates pursued the remainder
Of the Federal forces 10 their defences at L0udOn
some five miles beyond Philadelphia, where they
made additional captures, amounting altogether a.
both places to seven hundred prisoners, 50 wagons,
loaded with stores, arabulances, six pi eces OF
artillery, lot OF mules and horses, and other pro-
perry.
No particulars have been received, as far a. I
can iearn, Of the casualties on either side. Nor Is
II known what the strength Of the enemy IL, or
the character of his dafences, at Loudon. This
Inter place is situated on the Tennessee river,
where the railroad crosses II, and the forces sta
TONED there constitute, probably, the advance
guard Of that wing OF the Federal army which Il
operating from Knoxville as a base. Our success
will doubtless cut off the supplies which Il Is re-
ported K0secrans has been receiving from that
quarter, and to that extent add to the perplexIty OF
his situation at Chattanooga.
Turning towards Bridgeport, it Is reported that
Off pckets are four miles this side Of Trenton, In
DaGe county, Ga. and that the enemy's pickets
OCCUPY Sand Mountain, the font of which on this
side is represented be thirteen mii.s from Bridge
port. II Is by this route, It Is believed, that the
enemy would advance by the rear upon Lookout
Mountain, the possession Of which Is an object 0i
the greatest interest to him. 1t Is reported that e
10 engaged rebuilding the bridge at Bridgeport; bnt
neither the bridge nor the railroad thence to Chat
tanOoga, would be Of any avail 10 him unless he
could wrest Lookout Mountain from Us. The
Nashville and Chattanooga railroad, as you are
aware, runs between the Tennessee river and the
mountain, which approach SO close In many places
that IL necessary 10 blow out road bed along
the rocky sides Of the mountain before the rhIls
could be laid down. The possession Of the noun
tin and the reOpening Of this part of the railroad,
would solve the question of supplies for the Fede
raj army, aud render II IN easy matter to maintain
Itself In Chattanooga this winter.
its proper 10 add that n scout just In Informs
me that the pickets Of the enemy do not hold Sand
Mountain, though he admits that detachment Of
their cavalry dashed into Trenton a few days ago,
stole some horses, and then Disappeared
The batteries o! the enemy kept up slow fire
throughout the day yesterday. Il was directed
against the north face Of Lookout Mountain, TO
Waf0s the town, ana ines between CH0tlNHOO-
ga creek and The mountain few shot were iired
other portions of the lines but without results
anywhere. Our guns did not reply.
Before closing this communication allow me to
correct n mistake into which the Federals
seem 10 have fallen In regard to the battle
OF Chickamauga. l.ongstreets command was
not posted on cur right either on Saturday
or Sunday, as they appcar ,o seiieve' believe n onI
q lAe-~ie1t, where they were driven hack
with great slaughter on Sunday, and their entire
line eventually forced to retire. On Saturday the
enemy attempted to turn our right flank, at the
suggestion OF Gen. Thumas, but was foiled by the
stubborn resistance Of Walker, Forrest, Cheat
ham, aud Cleburne; whilst Stewart and hood, of
LongStreet's command, fought on the left, as they
did Sn the succeeding day. On Sunday Rosec Grams,
the idea of turning cur right heying been aban-
d0ned, sermed u Get under the belief that we
were attempting to turn his left, opposed TO our
right, and he massed such 4 force on that part of
his lines to enable him IL maintain his position
against repeated assaults. In this, however, he
committed a biunder, as well as made O mistake; ;
for, In drawing upon his right and sending his re-
serves strengthen his left, he weakened his right
TO such an extent as to render IL impossible for it
10 stand up against LongstTect's veterans. This
massing of forces upon his lett explains, borrower,
why It was that our right wing was not more sue
eessful In the early part of the fight on Sunday.
II had fearful odds to contend against. SALLusr.