The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-11

REBEL REPORTS OF LATE OPERATIONS
IN TENNESSEE.
A Great Disaster Admitted.

The rebel papers publish very full accounts of
the battle from Northern journals, and gener-
ally admit serious disaster. Gen. Bragg is
denounced in unmeasured terms.
THE DEFEAT OF GEN. BRAGG.
From the Richmond Enquirer. Nov. 81.
Again the tide of battle has turned against
US but this disaster does not come uneXpect-
edly. and though it brings gloom and sorrow,
yet no disappointment attends it. The country
looked for defeat. expected disaster, and only
hoped that it might be mitgated by some for
tunate accident; but when Gen. Bragg tele-
graphs that 1.-THE whole left gave way in con-
siderable disorder it is evident that no un-
looked for circumstance has come to his relief
At present writing all looks gloomy in the
direction of Chattanooga, and the position of
Gen. LOnestreet at Knoxville is not without its
painful apprehensions. Unless he has already
accomplished the object of his diversion by the
capture or dispersion of Burnside's forces. his
position is one of great danger Grant may
intervene between Bragg and LOngstreet, and
now that he has defeated the former. may turn
with overwhelming force upon the latter
forcing LOngstreet to retreat toward the Vir-
ginia line, and thus widening the breach be-
tween them, render all future cooperation
impossible.
At present we know not the extent Of the
disaster, but we do know enough OF the rast to
forbid even hope for the future, unless the
change so long desired in the army of Gen.
BrJ gg is Immediately made. Dependency and
who see their cause sacrificed by incompetent
officers without even the hope of any change.
The President, we know, esteems Bragg, and
reposes confidence in his military capacity, but
unfortunately the people do not, and unless
they can see some prospect OF speedy change,
they may despair OF the cause. and the noun
tain region of East Tennessee. Western North
Carolina, Northern Georgia, and Northern Ala
bama, submit to the despotism that incompe
tency has brought upon them. For the sake of
encouraging popular hope, terminating the
popular heart, and keeping alive the fire OF
patriotism, we again implcre the President to
yield to the well ascertained public desire, now
demonstrated by another disaster to be properly
founded, and dismiss incompetency from all
Commands.
Gen. Bragg knows and feels the complaints
that are public against him, and this fact caus-
es him to be over cautious-the responsibility
oppresses his military capacity. and no man,
| weighed down as ne Is, can nave that com
| mand of all his faculties so necessary in the
| trying ordeal of battle. We feel for him the
greatest sympathy, we know him to be patri-
| Otic, and earnestly struggling to do his best;
| but circumstances, which perhaps he could not
control, have operated to impair his usefulness.
| Why further compromise the cause and eudan-
| ger the Gulf States by retaining him in COM
mand By consulting the public wish, now
almost an open outcry, the President will start
the struggle for liberty with new impetus. and
every man, as one relieved from an impressive
burden, will start fresh and buoyant in the con-
test that is yet before US.
The retention of Gen. Bragg by the Presi-
dent disheartens the people, by forcing upon
| them the impression that there is but one man,
and that is Gen. Bragg in whom the President
reposes confidence for the command of the i'm
portant Army Of the Tennessee. Reduced to
one General? The people cannot realize the
astounding fact! Alter three years of war,
that no officer but Gen. Bragg, in the South.
west, retains the confidence Of the President,
alarms the public, and unless this impression