The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-09-12

From THE ARMY OF TENNEssEE.-
correspondent of the Montgomery Adoer-
tiser writes from Chattanooga, August
81, as follows:
The dull monotony Of expectation has
been broken within the last two days by
come skirmishing at long range across the
Tennessee, between the sharpshooters.--
There the advance pickets face each other,
covered by precipices, rocks, aud forests,
seemingly impcnctrable to the messengers
of destruction. Yet.a chance shot OCCASION
ally finds lis victim through heedlessness,
da; ing, or curiosity, ON the part Of the un-
fortunate one. This morning about day light
there was quite spirited exchange oi mis-
si!es, which startled the sleeper from his
dreams Of home and reminded him that hc
was in the midst Of All active contest be-
tween two armies, ,lnaneuyering for every aa-
vantage before the deadly conflict shall de-
eide the fate of each.
Apparently reliable rumors say that the
enemy has crossed in some force at Shell
Mound, and is making his way down Wills
Valley. Oar commanding General must
have some confidence in the report, rs the
inc brigade OF Brig Gen. Preston Smith,
comm anded by q soldier of tried metal and
merit, was last light dispatched across Loos-
out Mountain to watch the movements Oi
this force 1t is only feared by our most sa-
gacious officers that these rumOrs are not
correct, or ut least that Rosecrans is too willy
leader to risk his army or any large por-
tion OF it in q position where his destruction
will be speedy and certain. Let him cice
cross the Tennessee ives, uf this point and
become eutangied ia the Businesses and
passes of that region, if he has lost his pro-
verbal cunning and has become giddy with
questionable success. He will rue the day
that hc exchanged his feline cunning aid
caution for the lions audacity! The ncn OF
the Army Of Tennessee wish him to fall into
no securer trap than thisi
Opinions are divided as to whether lie will
form junction with burnside IN East Ten
nessee, or leave the latter to fight it out with
Buckner, while he cnlcayors to move in the
direction Of Dalton. An eminent general
| officer of this army believes that he is NOV
| inp his whole force to effect junction With
Ruekner. that Crittenden's heidI uarters are
now al Dunlap, ut the foot OF the mO.in-
tain: that he has left large garfisons at Bridge
| port. Stevenson, and Murifeesboro, aud has
| As WsI len with which to reinforce burnside.
| If the view and Information OF THIS ofiicef
| be correct. he is then compelled TO light q
| desperate battle; for ii he fails his whole
army will fall an easy prey to Bragg, whose
| communications with the rear will be LEFT
undistmrbei, while those Of Rosecrans WEI
| extend over two difficult mountain riases,
| sparsely settled, badly watered, and easy ol
ambush. Bragg can also concentrate hls eA'
tire force upon his fae-af0rcc now grow,
enthusiast ioally confident desperate, and
dctermined to win victory or fa!i III the
struggle No one In the army doubts tiie
result would rather believe, with oil tne
difficulties which environ It, that h the de
sign OF the Federal General, than TO thint
| he will duplicate the error Of Hooker q
ChancellOrsville, By separating his 4 rces o.
our two wings, and thus giving Us the op
portunity to nlass the whole army Of Ten
1 nessee upon either 0f The opp0sing iorce1
that we may deem the most vulsefabie.