Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1863-03-19
LETTER FROM SYELBfVILLE.
SHELBYvILLE, March IS, 1868.
THE EXPECTED ADVANCE.


respondeuoe ! spoke Of tbe early sd-
vance of The, Federals,- but owing to
the incessant rains the roads were in
too bad condition for move of the
least proportions. From present in.-
dications | think it possible that
terrible battle may be fought at DO
very distant day. The weather which
is now upon US, accompanied BY the
cold March winds, tends TO Jry the.
roads and make them passable. This.
is undoubtedly what they have been
waiIing on. They have had ample
time to recruit their ranks-receive
additional artillery, and at least So.
900 reinforcements. This is not an
exaggeration; for my information is
the best. For instance Seigel, with
troops taken from before Washington;
Leu. Wallace and his division; the
forces left to garrison Ken,
lucky will sum up 10000. In late
Cincinnati papers | notice in the de-
paEtures of steamers large lists of
stores for ROseclaEz's army. BY
this lime he has certaiuly obtained
supplies to enable him to push for-
ward. Then why does he not take
Up cline Of march?" There is but
one reasonable excuse in answer to
this inteIrogatory, and that is the
miserable condition Of the roads here
tofUre. It may appear to ciLigen a
very poor crease, but have seen the
roads 50 bad that empty wagons
would mire, and it would be almost
impossible to extFicate it. This is
in my humble opinion the cause Of
a delay where SO many lives are at
stake.
YANKEE PRISONERS.
Yankee prisoners TO the number oil
1900 arrived here on the Oh inst.
They are those captured by Van
Dorm at Thompson's Station, and
are a large portion Of four regiments.
i conyerseG with several of them.
llailing from Wisconsin and Michi-
gan nothing more is expected Of
them, than they'll n conversation, ex-
pressed. They are rank, vile Ab0A.
ltonists and should be treated as men
liable TO iGcte servile instruction.
Taking them all in oil they are poor
degraded specimen of humanity -
The privates Will be sent off to Rich.
mond for exchange, bat the officers
10 accordance 10 President Davis
proclamation, will be retained
MOVEMENTS OF TROOPS.
Major-Generals WiLhers' and Nc.
Gowns divisions left their encamp.
Iment Near Shelbytille for the front.
McCown went in The direction Of
Murrraesboro, and W;tlers that o.
Eaglevllle. AS everything relating
10 army movements is yelled in mys.
terry, il car only be conjeciured then
intentions. i is t6e opinion q
"knowing ones" that il is to dispute
The advance Of Lincolu's myrmidons
THAT ar, from all indications, tssing
heavily upon oar lines. Probably
within the next two or three days We
may hear Of some hard GghtiDg in
this vicinity. -:..s
/ VAN DORM SURROUNDED.
llearn from an intelligent member
OF Van Dorn's cavalry Tilt this
flashing officer has allowed himself
to be surrounded by three divisions
of the enemy. lis through regltct
that this WAS doue. The enemy sue
ceeded in taking possession Of pom
toon bridge in The rear Of the Con.
federates, thus cutting of their re.
treat, There is bat one .guerre re.
sort and that is to cut bis way out,
andin this he may lose number Of
gallant lives 70 400
t place the greatest credence- in
the above, fOi il comes from such I'M
doubted source that il cannot be dis
belieyed;. but We hope no! so bad as
reported. SEQ
THE EFFFCTs OK A uUERIC1NE.