The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1863-01-03
VOL. aXXlII----NO.a 20. !.

resort to ALI kisiis6f devices y, ...,-,,-.. -
their dischargeg Aundretls Of ,bs~~' ~" :,
crowd the hospitals- The medical ~bmr.i
are NON at work In sitting them out from,
among the really sick, and those who are
really unable to indure the har,ishins az !
soldiers life will be discharged, aud the
Others placed on provost duty. As far sa
the board have progressed, they have
found about one in three who is really
worthy Of adischargs; the other two are
either convalescent or "shirks There
VIII probably, during the coming week, be
2OO sick men discharged from the service,
while the provost guard will be increased
at least 400 Capt Misner is here assist
ing IN organizing the " convalescents" into
companies Capt Doty is acting as captain
OF the remnant of the l04th Ills, and 1t.
titzsimmons acts as Lieutenant Lieut..
Brush is boss Of the PATROL, and Lieut.
"m Strawn, believe, is acting as com.
missary for the different squads.
The l4th army corps. under General
lhomas, comprises some 5000 inen, and
has control of the Louisville d Nashville
K K, and rs therefore stationed along
that road at various points from Mum.
forleville to Nashville: Hartsvilie is one
OF the points where the Cumberland river
can be easily forded, and is an important
place tor both sides to hold. 1t is a -ort
oil Key to both the river country and the
railroad 1t j. Morgan's favorite place eff
rendezvous, and the rich valley of the
Cumberland furnishes any amount of TO-
rage. Col. Bennett raised bis regiment of
rebel cavalry here; Col Forests father
in-iaw lives IN this county, and Morgar's
Mefic1. director and quartermaster both
reside In !lartsville. Hence 1t was iesi-
rabie that this point should be we'll guard
ed by us, and heavy force has been kept
there until the 39th were gobbled up.
Since then the place changes hands daiIv.
One day our cavalry rush in and hold
sway, ard next day squd Of rebels dash
in and take the rcins in their hands
Both sides seem determined to hold this
outpost, as 1t Is the key to our left flank,
and should it be entirely abandoned by
us IL would leave an easy passage for n
dangerous flank movement to our rear
from the rebels riaht--a movement which
they VIII undoubtedly make if an opper-
tunlty IS presented Should they sncceed
IN turning our left there, they would fall
upon the railroad again and destroy our
connection with Louisville, which, when
accomplished, would cut off Rosecran,s
supplies, and compel him to fall back,
like Buel, again into ky
Our position here is but little better
than at Hartsville, and have no doubt
that before fortnight we will have to
meet our enemies face to face There is
every indication that movement will be
made this way. Kirby Smith has divided
his forces. and sent the greater part of
them 10 Lebanon, which is but a Gays
march from here. Norgan's cavalry is
securing the country between here and
that place. daily. 1t is understood that
/ smith S forces are to support Morgan in
| his next dash. and | know OF no place
that he would DE more likely to attack
! than this. $ miles from here is tunnel,
| and 1t is that tunnel more than any other
part OF the railroa /, which the rebels wish
to destroy
We have alarms every day or two, but
no fights. These alarms grow out Of
squads OF rebel cavalry coming in sight of
our pichets. Eut have always noticed
that alarms of this kind are a sure indi-
cation OF something of more Importance
not far ahead But must close There
10 much more sht write which would
be of INTEREST," 10 your readers, but it would
be taxing your paper too much to give it
room. H.