Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-09-18
Deliverance of East Tennessee,

Deliverance OF East tennessee
The yoke of oppression is at lengt
lifted from the long suffering Unionists Q
East Tennessee. Gen. Burnside is re-
ported to have entered Knoxville on tn
4th. This is entirely credible, as he oc-
cupied Kingston, only thirty five mile
from Knoxville, on the I'd, and the rebel
would have been as likely to offer resis-
lance there as at Knoxville, and if they
had been in a condition to make hope
ful resistance anywhere. The join
movement of Burnside and Rosecran:
was so well timed and so strongly made
that the rebels could not do better than
to retire, unless they could meet the
Union troops with equal numbers. They
had strong defensive positions, it is true,
in the Cumberland mountains, but when
Gen. Burnside's army reached Kingston
those defenses were fanked and practi-
cally useless. Of the important move
ments made during the last ten days in
that region we have no accounts, and the
facts are wisely withheld until the objects
Of the movements are fully accomplish
ed. But if Knoxville is in the posses
sion of Gen. Burnside, as we have every
reason to believe, the redemption of all
East Tennessee is substantially accom-
plished. Chattanooga cannot be held by
the enemy with a Union army at Knox
vile, cutting off its direct connection with
Virginia, and the great army of Rose
Grams pushing down to flank the position
on the south and break the connection
with the rebel army of the southwest.
Knoxville is a city of some five thou
sand inhabitants. 1t is on the Holston
river, tributary of the Tennessee, and
at the head of steamboat navigation. IT.
is a place of great military and political
Importance. East Tennessee bad a pop
ulation before the war OF $4,000, of
whom but 800 were slaves. The vote
of the section was 32,923 for Union, and
l4,768 for secession-a Union majority
Of 1855. The vote was taken in that
dark hour after the first battle of Bull
Run, when the courage of many of the
most loyal in the free states failed them.
The majority for secession in the whole
state Of Tennessee was nearly $4,000,
out East Tennessee stood firmly for the
constitution and the Union; and so have
must of its people continued to stand to
his hour, suffering much bitter persecu.
ion for their loyalty as entities them to
he sympathy and honor of all true Am
'ricans. Their Geliverance now dawns,
md great will be their JOY and gratitude
They will come out from their hiding
places among the mountains and restore
heir homes, which have long been rob
bed and desolated by the minions of
slavery. Those who remain of this abu-
ed people may be relied upon hencelorth
o be the staunchest supporters of the
Union for which they have suffered, and
he most relentless foes of rebellion and
slavery, which have brought such woes
Upon them.
The military value of the occupation
Of East Tennessee has often been pointed
'ut. 1t is only less important than pos
session of the Mississippi river aud its
lefenses. The only direct and available
railroad line between Virginia and the
southwest passes through East Tennes-
zee. The other route is circuitous and
'ver roads poorly constructed and equip.
Jed. If it is too strong an expression to
ay that our occupation of East Tennes-
zee sewers the territory still! remaining to
he rebellion, it is certainly true that it
will greatly limit and embarrass all the
military operations of the enemy. And
{ Gen. Rosecrans pushes on to Atlanta,
md Gen. Gilmore takes or destroys
Charleston, the rebel government and
'rmy will be limited to Virginia and por-
ions of North and South Carolina and
Georgia. Thus the anaconda contracts
lis irresistible folds with Increasing
trength at every turn, and the fate of
lis victim becomes more and more GER
ain. Is the rebellion to be demolished
Without another battle in the field? MAY
5od grant it.-Sprinqfeld Republican.
A CUTE WIDOw.-It is related that
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