Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-11-10
THE SITUATION IN TENNESSEE.


Oar latest dates from Atlanta by mail in
ligcucer" thinks the situation in Tennessee is
daily growing more interesting. Our forces
under Gen. Stephenson have got possession CT
Loudon, which places them within Is miles
Of Knoxville. The enemy, it is said, have
fallen back tn that point, leaving all that por
ton of East Tennessee from Loudon to Knox
villcopcn to our army. Gen. Stephenson labors
under one great disadvantage, and that is the
want Of bridges TO cross the river at Loudon.
Whether he is building pontoons or not the
"Inte!igrnccr" had not learned, but should
he be even preparing to cross by that means,
he could not get ready for several days.
The "Intelligencer" publishes late special
kilograms from the front which show that not.
withstanding the advantage gained by the
enemy in the occupation Of Raccoon Noun
tain, he is unable 20 transport sufficient provi-
.sions from the army in Chattanooga. and they
are now on half rations. The "Intelligencnr"
adds:
We Go not believe that many weeks will
elapsc before Bragg's plan of campaign will
be fully developed and carried out. There are
many, movements making which the public
are not aware Of, Us, if published, they might
reach the enemy before they are performed.
The situation in Tennessee shonld cause no
further fear than q natural solicitude for the
success of the campaign now inaugurated.-
Everything that is necessary for the ejectment
Of Grant is being FASTENED, and We trust the
day is not distant when our plans will be en-
tirely successful.
The Atlanta Register" of Thursday last, has
the following touching "the situation"
The fact must be conceded that just now
there is no imperative reason why Bragg should
give battle. 1fhe can choose his own ground,
aud thus equu!izc the two opposing armies, there
would be no danger of defeat-in fact, victory
would be absolutely certain. He may now be
ontnumbsred, and it is thought by military men
that he should merely hold the enemy at bag.
until coming events compel, as they must, the
| retreat of Thomas from Chattanooga.
President Davis meant all that he said when
he declared tina! before the campaign closed our
army would repossess Tennessee. But there are
accidents in war agaips: which no human genius
! and forethought can provide. Such an eve mt
might occnr in East Tennessee; but if we read
Alright what has been done, and the movements
now being executed and no disaster befa detach-
mens of our armies. the withdrawal Of Thomas
from Chattanooga becomes, at no distant day
inevitable. lie will first seek 70 crush Bra gg.
but i; happens. " hatever Bragg's enemies may say
Of him, tina. they concur in ascribing to him
those qualities which made Fabius immortal, snd
rendered Wa,hington's military reputation rs
admirable IS his unsel6sh patriotism. Bragg
knows when and how to retreat Tennessee eau
be redeemed without battle at Chattanooga. In
accomplishing this result, retrogade movement
mag DC made, but it will he that of chess.p
sr who loses q pawn to catch castle.
We have no authority for the suggestion that
4 retrogade movement may occur. and only space
ulate upon facts which appear alike in Northern
and Southern journals.
THE SITUATION.
up. W. a." Of the Savannah "R:publica!l,"
thus writes of tho situation at Chattanooga
AS was stated in recent letter, the enc nly
now holds Lookout Valley, lying between she
mountain Of that name and Raccopa mountain,
and the entire line of the Nashville and Chat
tonoosa Railroad from Nashville to point
distant from Browns ferry not moro than ono
mile. He holds also the Tennessee river from
the ferry down to Bridgeport. Since getting
possession Of the Valley, he has fortified his
pvs;tion, and is already almost, if not quite,
as strong as that at Chattanooga. In his front
us he faces towards Lookout mountain, is
Lookout creek, which is too near his works
for US to attempt to bridge it, and IN his ROAR
and on his tanks nre the river and Raccnon
mountain. This is not all: If attacked
in the valley, he can DO reinforced from
Chattanooga, by means Of his pontoon bridges
and across Mcccasin bend more rapidly and
safely than We could reinforce our column OF
attack: for our reinforcements would have to
pass around the north end of Lockout noun
tain, where they would be exposed to the fire
Of tie Moceasin batteries and the works in