, 1863-06-09
FROM ROSkCRAN'S ARMF,


zzE.EEze
FROM R0SLCRAN'S ARMY.
From the Front-SundAy at Pa1merss-
1nspeetfpns-Een. Wl1Iec1k'A Return
Personal Mention.
From Our Own Correspondent
Mu1FRKEsBoRo. June =, 1863.
FROM THE FRONT
The old date, the old town, the old encamp~
ment still.
Correspondents, editors and writers, and
talkers haye for days been tinkering at a
movement, but-not yet.
Have faith, 0 Sc peoplel have patience, the
great heart Of this army is with the etrug-
ling heroes st Vicksburg, and its sturdy, sup
porting blows will be given in good time.
Dcserters and refugees claim that the rebel
army has altogether forsaken the line Of Duck
River. have talked With several within few
hours, who are positive that but shell Of
Bragg's force remains On this side the line Of
the Tennessee. A negro, ofgood appearance
and Ineligible talk, got to headquarters yes
tcrday, direct from Chattanooga, with the
story that hut two rebel brigades arc at that
place. He states that the rebel armyis some
where to the west Of there, unknown, and
that it is not on the line ofDuck River. stnte-
ments arc conflicting, You see, for it is, on
the other hand, by generally well informed
officers, positively asserted TINT the rebel
army has not withdrawn beyond the Duck
River line, and when the advance Of this army
begins, these gentlemen expect battle In the
vicinity Of shelbyyille.
For some reasons am Inclined to the be-
lief of the latter position, and again, for other
reasons pnt fifth In the generally concur
ing statements Of refugees and dcserters.
II Bragg intends to fight cannot see why
he should not make stand at Duck River,
where the natural defenses are perhaps Us
strong us those On the Tennessee, und where
he has had, and is having, abundant time for
the erection Of Notifications. Added to this,
the we'll known ffantic opposition TINT the
Tennessecans and Kentuckians Of his army
make to q REIMBURSEMENT Of the Duck River
line.
But refugees say that the rebels will not
fight this side the Tennessee, and why should
they? 1tuppears to me, In few words, this
way: Defeat at shelbyvil1c would ensure the
capture Of the greater portion Of their troops,
defeat ut Chattanooga, or anywhere upon the
Tennessee line, would give them an opportu-
nifty Of escape, and their deftnses upon the
Tennessee River, natural and artificial, are rs
strong US, and perhaps stronger than upon
the Duck.
There is reason to believe thai a considera.
bic force hns gone from Bragg to the support
Of Fcnberton, but in the nialn his army is
Cumberland as before The btlcngurment Of
Vicksburg, and when the day comes it will
be found that the most desperate battle will
b. given upon the southern border Of this
But before this letter is in print. the story
write another line to-day regarding tic situ-
ation.
SUNDAY AT T4LMER'5.
The fine day that began the week, found me
on Grille Creek, where the division of Gen,
Palmer Ia encamped. Cruft's brigade came
out during the afternoon for review, and the
time was takcn advantage Of for hng pres
cntation, whercat the 90th Ohio volunteers
were tho recipients OF IN elegant stand Of re-
gimental colors from the goodly Buckeyes Of
Tie Hooking valley military district,
Gen. Cruft's soldiers were upon their good
behavior, showing respect for the day, and
evitcipg n most commendab1e regard for the
requirements Of the service.
1t has been MY good TOR bad q fortune to
do service on board vessels of war, where the
Sunday muster Of the sailor Is made the occa.
sion fora display of dress and cleanliness. And
lam free tosay that the well -backed shoes and
neatly arranged clothing Of tho boys of tho
minder hare ever 1ad of the sailors Sunday
muster. Not an unpoliehed shoe was to be
feen in the ranks, or IN unbrushed coat-cve-
ryihing deno1iDg scrupulous regard fur
cleanliness and neatness Of drcss.
a quarter Of an hours ride took
upon which the third brigade was ma
ntuyering-Col. VIM. Grose commanding.
Tile brigade Of "fglting Grose'' has a rcpG-
t4tion coextensiye with tile army of the Cum
ber1and. In numbers 1t is stronger than ut
Stone River, md the character Of its COM
np 10 its old mark Of discipline mud efficiency.
When the struggle comes, the I'd brigade will
be heard from.
Roueseau's division wae mustered yesterday
for inspection and review. Inspector General
Dneat was upon the ground, giving careful
ard close attention to the manrureriug and
condition Of the troops. 1.-THE practised eye Of
Col. D, may have observed many short com-
iugs, but to your correspondent the division
looked perfection.
Over On the right, in front Of Gen. sheri-
dams headquarters, the cavalry brigade Of Col.
Dan. AcCook, underwent Col. Ducat's
scrutiny.
Col McCook's brigade is portion Of Gen.
+. B. Mitchells division, and contains two
regiments, In Which the TRIBUNE readers ara
particularly intcrested-2d and 4th Indiana
(Col. McCook's 8 reglmcnt) Is under command
Of the LIEUT.. Col, whose name have mis-
placed.
Tic brigade is large and healthy, counting,
I all told. Two or thrco Of the strongest ragi-
naents III the service.
GEN. w11LICu's RETURN.
One Of the most gratifying affairs of camp
life came of yesterday evening, on the parade
Of the 1st brigade Of Johnson's division. re-
fer to the resumption by the brave old fight.
ing Gen. Which Of his old command. It will
be remembered that on the morning Of the
31et Of December, ere the battle Of Stone
River had fairly begun, Which was nnfortu-
command Of The brigade t6en fiji to Col. VIM.
q. Gibson Of the 4th Ohio, who throughout the
terrific struggle Of the day bore his part nobly,
winning golden opinions from officers and
men: And from then tn now, Colonel. O.,
las been most successful In his brigade man.
agement, happily retaining the respect and
good opinion OF soldiers and officers,
Gen. Willich's release from captivity, how
ever, Of course put the brigade again ut his
control, and his exceeding popularity among
officers md men made the occasion Of Ills re.
turn time for general rejoicing. ~
Col. Gibson mrde formal transfer Of the
command yesterday, the whole brigade being
mustered to witness IT, and Gen. Rosccrans,
accompanied by bis chief Gen. Garfield, at-
tending. The troops were formed In squares,
in the centre Of which were grouped Col.
Gibson and Gen. Which, and Gen. Rosecrans
and staH.
lido not propose to report the speeches which
accompanied the ceremony Of transfer; Suf-
fee it to say that they we're short, sensible,
and in many points thrillingly eloquent.
Cheer upon cheer were given for the Is old
Dutch Gghter,n for Col. Gibson, and for Gen.
Rosecrnns. All in all, it was one Of the hap
piest times Imaginable, and gaEe the troops
field man@ugring which Immediately followed
PERSONAL MENTION.
Capt. Charlie Maple, late Of tho Hotel de
ago, tound and In prime spirits. Tne Captain
has been assigned duty as Brigade Comissary
at Triune. He starts for his post to-day.
l.. G.
FORT SCOTT CORRESPONDENCE.
a Damaging Report Correeted-A Gall
liant and Successful Defense by Color
ed Troops against more than double
their number.
Especial Correspondence Chicago Tribunc.1
FoRr scorr, Kansas, June 1, 1855
Iwrote you few days ago, stating that
train Of five wagons, cent from this post, in
charge Of twenty-five cavalry men and ten
men Of the 1st Colored Kansas volunteers,