Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-02-05

ger Of such this late raid Of the enemy, Gen
Smith placed SCOTS brigade under orders post them
selves in the rear Of Cumberland Cap in Kentucky.
and operate against the Yankees in every possible Of
fensive way. No better selection Of men could
have been made for the purpose. The rest Of
the cavalry were disposed of in other direc-
tons, all to work to the same end But in
in the absence of General Kirby Smith at Richmond,
comes General Bragg flushed with bis recent success in
dragging Buell. aud with his bushing honors thick
upon him. cooy absorbs every regiment aud battalion
belonging this Department and trots them over to
Murfreesboro to participate in his merry little Christ
mas festivity of "annihistng Rosecrans" Thus, in
stead Of "ingorousy huggng the railroads and vii
lagos" the Richmond Examiner states the Confede-
rate Cavalry of East Tennessee sustained full share Of
the pryadons exposures and dangers Of that memos.
bic conflict. Carter under Wheeler, and accompa
uied him in all his graceful polkas around Rosecrans
Ashby Of the LIST Tennessee formed portion Of Whar.
tons Brigade, and one occasion (Slst December),
under orders from Wharton charged single handed,
with three hupdred men, whole brigade of cavalry
and being unsupported, lost more than fifty men and
officers. Lieut. Col Nixon, of ls louisiana and Lieut..
Col Harper of LIST Georgia were from beginning to
end, the extreme right wing under Pegram and on
the bloodiest day of all I'D january went in foot
with Breckenridges infantry and covered themselves
with glory for cir gallantry and nerve and when
Bragg began the retreat these four regiments, with
Phipps Battalion, under Wheeler on the Manchester
pike fought the enemy the only occasion on which they
made effort to pursue.
When General Kirby Smith learned indirectly what
had become of his Cavalry and how unprotected was
his frontier he at teegraphed the War Depart
| ment Of the fact and, the It'll instant, or
| ders from the Secretary at Richmond re-.
calling them TO this region. Now, it would
be snperuous say that these men have fretted and
caied bitterly their fate in being all confined to
this Siberia of rugged wilds and half rations, while
their brothers in free to at will in the
inviting fields of large wagon trains with small escorts
| aud feeble towns garrisoned with raw troops. The
glowing success too which has always characterized
their leaders has led to the belief that they would had
they been allowed the opportunity, have many
laurels decks the brows of Forrest, Morgan and
| Wheeler.
The youthful Ashby, a son of the Old Dominion, and
nearly akin your own lamened hero, has, on every
field left the mpresso of his daring and skill Morrison,
the courageous Georgian, has been bold and unfal
eriug in the charge in the face of Odds great.
Scott although young in years, is perhaps the Senior
Colonel of cavalry in the Confederate service, and in
the dark and gloomy days of the evacuation Of Nash
Vile last spring. from Albert Sidney Johnston, the
encomium Of being the best cavalry officer he knew
| of in the army" His subsequent campaign in North
Alabama, where, with single regiment, he dispersed
and scattered Gen. Mitchelrs whole army, stamped him
as partizln leader of the highest ability fertile of
source and r, and dashng in execution. In the Ken.
lucky campaign, where he commanded brigade in ad.
vance Of Kirby Smiths army he penetrated nearer Louis
vile, and won personal popularity with the down.
trodden people Of that State, than any other officer Of
our army aud him almost entirely indebted for
the large material advantages of wagons, mules, horses
and supplies generally that were obtained in such
proluon by General Smiths corps. But unfortunately
for lis promotion, he is wanting in two very essential
requisites, viz: political power and nativity at West
Point dat "Fouut from which all blessings how."-
Added 10 this, is only too notorious that by some
show Of independence, incompatible with the strait.
ticket views OF the commander Of the army Of Tennes
see lac has incurred the ayor of that officer who APP
pras 10 be as ncurabe in his hatreds he is in bis
peuchau for mastery rsiredis At any rate the gallant
Lousanan almost daily witnesses the elevation above
him of men frequently mere boys, who 'nevcr set a
squadron in the field nor the evOlutons of division
knows more than spinster.'
However, hi, letter not penned with a view of
bzoniug the merits Of neglected officers but to ward
off An unmered reproach against noble body of men-
and trust the task has been accomplished. AT present,
tb. chief command OF the cayiry here is invested in
Gen John P,gr.In of your city. Although at present
eomparalycly inexperienced in this mode OF warfare,
h. is energetic patriotic brave and intelligent and bids
fair 10 realize every expectation OF his friends and SOL
,Eers JUsrICE.