The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-10-16
Affairs in Tennessee.

Affairs i'm Tennessee.
Notwithstanding the misgiviugs expressed by
many, and the responding murmurs of others,
we can see nothing discouraging in the situation
ut Chattanooga, Rosecrans, altho' shielded by
improbable Notifications, is like. fox ia a
trap, and cannot move except at the will of Cen
Bragg. The latter occupies position that
holds Chattanooga and its outgoings, and he
knows very well that Rosecrans cannot get away
without ruin to his army. 1t was rumored that,
few shells into Chattanooga, but we have had
NO confirmation of the report, nor have we heard
any thing farther upon the subject Lookout
Mountain, where our main batteries plant
ed, is said to be 1900 feet above the level of
Chattanooga, and but fraction over tive miles
from it by an air line 1t commands, therefore,
the town, as well as The railroads and the river.
Rosecrans' supplies still reach him from Bridge
port, distance of some 80 miles, by wagon
transportation, and these, We imagine, by the
outgivings of the telegraph, viii not feed his
men much longer, as We have a considerable Ca
valry force that side of the river, that will be
very apt to interfere with the arrangement be-
fore many days.
After Forest retired from Athens, Tenn the
Yankees again moved back to that point, and at
last accounts were holding precarious posses
sion Of McMinn and the adjacent country
They had pickets as far down as Charleston.
where the e. Tenn. & Ga. road crosses the Hi
wassie, but they scamper at the crack of a stick
or the rustic ola leaf, momentarly expecting an
advance of rebels from the direction of Clevs-
land.
In Upper East Tennessee; they are a little
bidder. and have had somewhat better success.
Gen. Williams cavalry had driven them from
Zulcoffer to Bulls Gap-a distance of about
6s miles-but being reinforced they made ano-
ther advance, and it is said surrounded General
Williams at.er near Rheatown, 10 miles east of
Greeneville, few days ago, but that he cut his
way out losing one of his wagon trains, and a
number of his men. At the present writing, the
enemy are said to be at Johnson's Station, Z
miles this side of Jonesborough, and the adj
vance of our forces at Carter's Depot,'5 miles
this side, having fallen back from Greenevilie
since Saturday morning. When our little force
had gotten about 2 miles from the latter place,
the Yankees fired few shots at our wagon
train. Gen. jackson then ordered Thomas Lee
gion to the front. They marched up to within
ten feet of the enemy before they saw them, and
commenced firing Lewis Battery was then or
dered to open, and at the first fire the Yankees
commenced falling back. The fight lasted seve-
raj hours, and the Yankees were driven back
seven miles In the afternoon, the enemy made
another attack and it was at one time thought
had captured Gen. Jackson with 400 infantry
and Lewis Battery, which he had.taken to the
enemys rear, bat it was a mistake.
1t may be that, before our paper goes to press,
we will have farther Things frem that direction,
and if 50, it will he found on the next page.
The Federal journals state that they have
$4,000 men in Upper East Tennessee, and if so,
or the half of that number, the wonder is that
our little handfEll of men fought them as sue
eessfu,ly as they did, We have no idea they
will be permitted to come this side of Zolicoffer
ifeven that far, and we have every reason to be-
lieve that Gems. Jackson and Williams will be
adequately reinforced in time to make them take
the back track.
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