, 1863-05-27
FROM MURFREESB0RO.
Bragg Reinforccs Pemberton.
TALK OF ABANDONING TENNESSEE.
From 0nr Own Correspondent
kHr+rrrvvCueH1 Nav 81 fE&f


MunFRkEsnoRo, May 20, 1853.
I again write Of tae situation, which,
though in the main unchanged since my last,
as regards tho position Of the troops Of the
two opposing armies, Is to-day, nevertheless,
wearing totally different moral aspect. The
brilliant achievements Of our troops in the
department OF the Mississippi, hare without
question given the rebel leaders IN al.rm,
which, st the least, has put Bragg's army
strictly on the defensive.
: Our Information to-day, is to the effect that
Clebur1e's division has been actually with
drawn and cent to Mississippi. From the
lips Of several refugees, who since forty-eight
hours have been. within the rebel lines,
haEeit that the most serious alarm peryades
the rebel army regarding the doings Of Grant
in the Southwest, and that the rebel authori-
ties are gathering troops from Carolina, Ala
barna and Georgia, with which to crush him,
One informant In whom I am warranted In
placing the greatest faith, tells mo that
Braeg's nrmy is now falling back 10 the line
OF the Tennessee. lie was told but few
days ago by a prominent rebel officer, that
their {thc rebeD force would retire beyond
the Tennessee River, SO as to get within
reach Of Pemberton, and that the move would
be made, even though the State Of Tennessee
had to be giiyen up, for it was better to lose it
eomple1ion Of refugee talk within forty-eight
Aours. Add the Well'asccrtained fact Of Gle.
bu1ne's withdrawal, and you hare clear
enough case that we nre 1t least relieved from
the danger Of IN attack. There will be, for
the time being, no further demonstrations
upon our wings, and I apprehend tlat the
rect front, will, until The decision Of rule IL
Centrnl Mississippi, be generally freed from
rebel presence.
As 10 the withdrawal of the entire rebel
army to the line Of the Tennessee, q purpose
on the part Of Bragg to do which is, as have
stated, aycrred By many refugees, there is a
contrariety Of opinion. | am aware that the
best Informed officers differ regarding the
matter, and when the t'doctors'' disagree how
shall We, the " Disciples, y form correct opiE-
ions:
In my mind, the thing stands this way:
Grants capture Of jackson struck terror iuto
all rebeldon: The telegraph quickly told the
the story at Richmond, and as quickly vent
the order to johnson to muster every aGaila.
BILE man in hi. department, for the crushing
Of The audaclous Yankee. Georgia and Ala.
bama were rsnsacked, and from eyerY city
and garrison in those States troops were huf-
ried towards the Mississippi capital. Bagg
was consulted, and agreed to furnish difI-
sion, receiving, in the meantime, instructions
to hold his whole army ready for rctrogratc
movement, which, By further reYe1sss ii Mis-
sissippi, might become necessary. And noy.
II tie army ol Grant is defeated, the army Of
Bragg will, until further orders, remain
where 1t is; on the other hand. If Grant
achieves victory, Bragg will quickly put the
Tennessee between himself and Rosecrans.
AL This time the people are, no doubt, anS-
iouely asking, viii not Rosecrans advance
and strike the rebel army, now that its troops
arc being ordered by divisions to the support
Of Pcmberton VIII Rosccrans permit tho
heroic army now operating under Grant, to
to be crushed by the aid Of Bragg's troops,
and withhold attack?
TAs questions are pertinent, but not to be
answered by me. I have an "opinion,r {who
has not , If course, which may be recorded:
The Withdrawal Of q diyision Of 10000 men
makes 10 material reduction in the strength
Of BlagG's army. II lis army was inyincible
'siM Ciebqrn's division, il is invincible .cih-
tie febs1 Generals entire free moves to the
support Of tho Miss1ssippians, there will be
no Immediate advance Of this army.
am aware that great movement, requir-
Ing the consultation and care Of several De-
partInent Commanders, ia now in rehearsal,
ard unless it is demonstrated that Grants
salvation depend upon an INN edate advance
Of the army Of the Cumberland, the plans Of
our commanding Generals, which, for suc-
e. Gsss, 4 depend upon = certain delay, are not
The country may rely upon the watchfu1-
Tcss Of the army Of the Cumberland, which
will not Let Iaks an opportunity TO giye sup
port, moral or absolute, to the gallant army
Of the Mississippi. L.C.