Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-11-10
TIE WEAK POINTS IN RosECRANg posIrIOl

TIRE WEAK POINTS IN ROSECRANS POSITION
A Chattanooga correspondent of the New York Til
buDe gives the following view of the Yankee prospects
in Tennessee
have already demonstrated in former letters that,
while Chattanooga IS strategcaly strong point, il is
not cafe To hold il securely involves the
sty of holding the Tennessee river for fifty miles TO the
right and left of it, As soon our army had crossed
a. Belliont Stevenson and Bridgeport it virtually
master OF the place. For the reason, when 1t
forced back into it, after the battles Of the 10Th and
Goth umo the question to hold it rested upon its ab
ty IOuch repel attack from the front as to
retain control OF the liver below. There not force
enough at the command Of Gen. Rosecrans 10 pro est
all the ord5 and roads leading from the south bank to
his depots and lines of communication onand along the
river Hence his principal dagger the contingency
Of flank movement by detached column of the
my over the that be took TO leave Chata-
nooga. With the arrival of renforcements that dan
ger passed away. The failure OF the enemy TO make
the movement affords good evidence, not only that their
offensive strength greatly weakened in the battles
but also that it fac superior reported
The most direct danger in view Of the temporary state
Of partial dissolution OF the army was Of course first
front attack The few days delay Of the enemy 10
closing up with around the town. gave US time to
avert il with the axe, pick and shovel But although
checked an assault by infantry, We powefless
to the dangers threatened from their artillery.
That with Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain in
thec possession they the latter effectively
against u.s. they h6e amply proved by. their clnuonade
on the 5sh. | used the word effectively" although
they did little actual damage at the tme for their pro-
jeet les fell into camps all along line and il
must be the veres yrO in that will assert that BY
TRIPPING their guns which they have it doubtless in their
power TO do, they could not by Cannonade of week.
annoy and damage US beyond endurance. II would be
the first instance the history of wars Of large army
OF unsheltered troops maintaining its position under
protracted and heavy artillery fire. That the enemy
baya phutai aH irn1n auhta tn
trial than the 9th is mystery that not able to
solve
BIT supposing even that this is not awaiting u.s. there
still other ways left open to the enemy draw US
Of Chattano' ga. From Chattanooga to Knoxville
the distance Ito miles That this long line cannot be
successfully guarded aga INST attempt to cross the
Tennessee in force. either by Gen. Rosecrans GeneE
Blu nsde is evident. hanking movement to our right
is already stated, longer practicable for the EN-
my. But there was nothing to prev Mt lie L
in the mentioned direction until to-day. Since mdoisbt
the very gates q eavel ssmed TO be opened and Il
is pouring down in ncessant torrents If the roads
be not rendered mpracticabe by it, will in all proba-
bity the hundred aud twenty poutoOns the EN-
envy have built at Oh cksmauga Station put TO use be-
for o long, somewhere between here and Knoxville 1t
would certainly be the best they could mikes 1t
would give their amy once more the benefit OF the
crops of the rich valley of the Tennessee. 1t would
throw it between R)secrans and Irnside and compel
the latter TO beat hasty retreat to Kentucky escape
annihilNtol. Aud lastly, it would force this army TO
abandon Chattanooga and hunt I'D the enemy for battle
north OF the Tennessee.
last element of uncertainty as to the duration of
our occupation of Chattanooga is formed by preca
rOus lines Of communication We have had three
bridges the Tennessee. Two of these we're rem
dered impraccable by the rice week ago. and one had
to be removed. The other was again used until this
morning. when the danger of its being carried away by
the great rise to be expected induced Gen. se-
ctanz to order likewise its removal The third was
built during last week. and affords now the only means
OF communication with the North bank That it is in
sufficient for our immense transportation need hardly
say
Again. the roads to Stevenson, our supply depot are
so rugged that hauling suficency OF supplies owe
them attended with difficulties the character of which
only those appreciate who have passed over them
The present rain will probably double these One of
the roads along the river is rendered unsafe by the bush
whackers firing from the South bank.
1t natural for the enemy to @tempt to cut the
long thread OF ailroads-over three hundred miles
that alone with the North by dint of cav.
airy raids. 1t be hoped that our cavalry will pre-
vent the mischief contemplated by the bands of Wheeler
and Forrest, now again loose in Middle Tennessee and
Southern Kentucky. II they should succeed in break
ing railroad connections for any considerable length
Of time, retrog ads movement by eur forces caaot
be avoided |
Whatever the future may have in store for u.s. IL is
obvious that the rebels masters Of the stuatOn-a
ehst 30 iaI as tue power 70 shape IL IN Win tnem-
That they have improved the tina Of quieude elapsed
since the battles 10 repair damages aud gather adj
ona Offensive force, may be presumed the fortunes
Of the COniederacy depend in great measure upon
further their pIrt and they have con.
,entr1ted all their available strength before ia
likely that they will lie idle much longer. Without
having any positive ground for the theory, think that
they fail in starving out of Chattanooga they will
make the flank movement to the left under cover of
upon our from.
As to ourselves prudence iorbids me from Saying
than that not yet in the condition to resume
be offensive although we are able to co operate prompt
v according to the initiative of the enemy For NV
art would deem 1t a cause for oongraidlatou if the
nemy should give an opportunity to meet them in
ecsve battle hundred miles nearer to the Ohio
liver. ,at
Canvass HARNESS The Raleigh Standard says:
We saw day or two stree at the harness establish