Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-11-26
IMPORTANT FROM TENNESSEE.
REBEL ADVANCE UPON KNOXVILLE AND
THEIR INVESTMENT OF THE TOWN.
KNoxyILLE, TUESDAY, Nov. II,

KNOXVILLE, TUESDAY, Nov. IL, 1868
Longstreet after crossing the Tennessee on Saturday
morning the 4th instant attacked in the afternoon
by Gen. Burnside who drove the advance guard back to
within mile of the river. Longstreet crossed the re-
mainder of his troops during the night and on Sunday
morning advanced in force
Gen. Burnside, finding it impossible to cope with him
with the small force at his command fell back to LenOr,
his guard with the enemy through
the day Three desperate charges were made upon our
position during Sunday night but handsomely re-
pulsed. On Monday morning Gen. Burn evacuated
Lenoir
Owing to the urgency with which the rebels continued
the pursuit he determined to give them decided check,
and accordingly came into line of battle at Campbels
Station where fight ensued lasting from late in the
morning until dark our first position commanding the
road from both sides The infantry depoyed in front of
this and attacked by the enemy, who made
some gallant charges, and finally succeeded, by outiank
ing our men, in driving them to the cover Of the bate
res, which now opened terrific and destructive fire.
The rebels retired before it, gave way and eventually
fed back to the timber.
1t was now three O'Clock ia the afternoon. The rebels
showing desire to the attack and having brought
three batteries to their assistance Gen. Burnside fell back
to desirable position, and again gave them battle
The contest continued closing at nghtfa with troops
iu possession of their ground.
The object of the fight having been attained, and the
detention of the rebels had enabled trains to get all in
advance troops fell back in the night and early
Tuesday morning reached Knoxville, where great battle
is expected TO be fought tomorrow
Yesterday the rebel advance guard attacked out
posts upon the Loudon and Clinton roads, and heavy
skirmishing continued al day This morning the attack
was resumed and the fog which set in during the night
had lifted Tha rebels finding it impossible to drive
with infantry brought several guns into position and
poured in u thanking fire. .......
In the afternoon they brought forward heavy force Of
infantry once more, and after brief skrmish charged
our position terrific hand to- hand condct occurred
both ssbre and revolvers being used both sides Our
men fought with the greatest gaantry, but were finally
compelled to retire about one.thrd of mile to strong
line, which they hold tonight.
We have to regret the woundDg of Gen. Sanders who
commanded the outposts His condition is critical Lieut.
Col. Smith, of the Twentieth Michigan, killed at
Campbells Station. Our loss in that fight between
two and three hundred Our loss to-day will not exceed
one hundred and fifty.
The enemy's loss Monday, owing to the severe fire
of artillery could not have been less than thousand
Their loss to-day is estimated at four Ave hundred.
Gen Shackelford had brisk fight Sunday with the
rebels the other side of the Hotein three miles from
here He kept them in check, and at night they dsap
peared.
Our in the best spirits, and perfectly confident
of success tomorrow