The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-13
uconespOn lcnoe Of the Lynshburg Republican,
Rebel Operations in East Tennessee
= Humphrey Marshall in Dis

lltorresPon ionee OF the Lynehourg kepuohcah.I
Rebel Operations in East Tennessee
= Humphrey Marshall in Dis
grace.
The raid into East Tennessee has
proved successful, the bridges have been
burnt, our cause has been damaged, and
the enemy has escaped unmolested.
About 3 o'clock on the evening of the
I'd Of January, Gen. Humphrey Marshall,
with q large force of cavalry, attacked
the rear guard Of the enemy under Gen.
Carter, in the little town Of Jonesville
in Lee county, Va Firing continued
about five minutes-the enemy retired
mile or two from town, drew up in line
of battle, and awaited the approach Of
the Confederate officer, who, it is said
with shame, satisfied with holding "the
city" struck his camps for the night, and
consoled himself by venting his spleen
on the patriotic citizens.
Leading from Jonesville to Crank's
Gap, through which tho enemy passed,
are two roadside enemy took one the
question naturally asked by oil is, why
did not Gen. Marshall take the other,
and cut off their retreatY Did he arrive
TOO late ? Not so. For, TO my own
knowledge, the advance guard of The en-
envy were not distant two miles from
Jonesville as late as six o'clock in the
night-an hour after the firing first com
menced. But, strange 20 say, this Cen
ersl, whose mind and body were doubt
less wearied from over exhaustion and
want of sleep, q cannot imagine what
else could have made him so stupid--for
he is q very temperate man. had not the
least information, as late as eight o'clock
in the night of the enemy's having drawn
up in line of battle beyond the town, aud
was actually surprised 70 learn that they
had left their position so late. Tired
and worn out as they were, having had
but little sleep, and not mOuthful to eat
for forty EIGHT hours, they threw down
the gage of battle, and Humphrey Mar
shall, indifferent and unconcerned, indeed
ignorant of the fact, lay there in the town
as though he were the conqueror of hum
dred provinces aud the hero Of hundred
battlelelds.
A Confederate General pursuing an en-
envy at the rate of fourteen miles in nine
hours surely entities him to be classed
among those bold and daring officers
who have won so many laurels in our
service Both commands at the same
distance from Jacksonville, and the en-
emy held in check by small squads OF
citizens and soldiers, this hero of Pound
Gap, marches along g in calm contempla-
ton and poetic ease" like one who has
just enjoyed the luxury Of a good meal
aud anticipates better when he gets tC
his journeys end Neither the enthusi.
asm of his soldiers, nor the entreaties
of his officers could induce him TO march
more rapidly. Slowly and leisurely be
plods on at the rate of two miles an hour
Magnificent marchingl AT this rate lei
the enemy calculate how many bridges
they could burn, how much of tho rail.
road they could destroy, and how Ions
they could remain in East Tennessee
and make their escape without being
mOlested.
But for all this, we might forgive Gen,
eral Marshall, had be only pursued anC
fought the enemy when he reached
Jonesyille. However, he is very hui
name and moral man, and dislikes very
much to see any body hurt. How cOult
his generous heart, so full of love AM
compassion, bear to see his soldier
butcher (horrible word) those who hay
come among us TO violate the sancity 0
our homes and tranple under foot on
most sacred rights.
All honor TO the gallant officers an
men under his command-wOrthy of
better leader--eager to pursue the worn
out enemy, and ehastise him for his rash
ness, and permission to follow; but tn,
"hero of Jonesyille" obsiinately refuse
all appeals will not fight himself, no
allow his men 10 fight.