The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-04-24

Athens. Friday. April "a. 1868.
" The News"

The News"
We have but little of large Importance
to. advert to to-day. For the last Elk
weeks the oracle at Richmond has been
daily urging that the enemy was concen-
trating the largest armies and making
more formidable preparations than ever
for The Spring campaign. Well, we are
nov at the close Of April, and the enc
my has not advanced single foot. On
the contrary, with the exception of the
small affair at Somerset, every attempt he
has made since the breaking up of winter
has resulted disastrously to him. At
Vicksburg, in the Yazoo Pass, Port Hud-
son, Charleston, on the coast of North
Carolina, in Virginia and Middle Tonnes
see, the enemy is not only held in check,
but in several instances has been seriously
hurt and damaged. And we can see no
more signs OF his advancc now than a
month ago, though our own defences are
daily growing stronger and Our troops be-
coming more thoroughly prepated to win
u lasting victory when the conflict does
occur.
The reports that a portion of Grants
army was being sent to reinforce Rosen-
oranz, may be true. 1t may also be true
that portion of the men OF the latter,
whose term of service will expire next
month, are being sent to the lower Mis-
sissippi, from whence the road home is
not so accessible or easy. But be that as
it may, it is certain the enemy must at
tempt heavy blow in the next two
weeks, or once more change his base.
A friend at Richmond advises US that
the Federals will make desperate effort
to get possession of East Tennessee dur.
ing the ensuing summer; but that is en-
tirely contingent. If Rosencranz could
whip johnson in Middle Tennessee, which
he can't nigh do, then East Tennessee
would be invaded. But suppose John.
son should whip Rosencranz, what would
the chances for getting possession of this
fair and fertile region be worth then?-
Let the farmers plant and grow all that
they can. and we guess our Generals and
their brave armies will see that the Fed
erals and their renegade brethren don't
get in to dispossess them and lay waste
and destroy the country.
There has beep chunk OF a fight in
the neighborhood of Tuscumbia, Ala, in
which the Confederates were reported
victorious. and Wheeler has made auo.
Their successful dash across the Cumbee.
land. capturing prisoners and DESTROYING
supply trains.
A dispatch from friend at Vicksburg.
dated the 18th, stated that the enemy
were Smelling at the town from their land
batteries on the opposite side of the river.
Five more gunboats had succeeded in
running by Vicksburg. Eight started
down-one of which was destroyed by
the Confederate batteries, and two others
badly crippled.
Congress has at last perfected and pass
ed the Tax Bill. A partial synopsis of it
will be found in our columns.
The reports in regard to army move
ments in Virginia are encouraging, as is
the news from the theatre of active
operations in North Carolina.
The New York Herald reluctantly ad-
mits that the recent attack on Charles
ton was failure, and gives an opinion
that it will not be renewed soon.
Advices from the Federal capital repre-.
sent Lincoln as in a new fit of trepida-
ton about the safety Of Washington City,
and that Gov. Curtin, of Pennsylvania,
had been called upon to furnish twenty
thousand of the militia of that State for
its defence. Opposition to the Yankee
Consumption is so. strong in some of the
"loyal States" that it is believed Abraham
will not attempt its enforcement at pres
ent, although his army must lose three
hundred thousand men by the expiration
of their term Of service ~ the first of
juno. 1t is plain to every well-informed
mind that, notwithstanding the immense
putting and blowing on both sides of the
line, the Federalists are really in worse
condition to continue and prosecute the
war vigorousiy Than they were twelve
iaenths ago We confidently look for
events in very short time that will star.
tie the country, North and South.
All quiet throughout East Tennessee as
far as we know, though there have been
whisperings and rumors to the contrary
in regard to certain localities since our
last publication day. Nothing late or do
finite from Burnside and his mule trains.
Thursday mornings train brings re-
ports of fighting in Middle Tennessee
in the direction OF McMinnville.
Confederate Bonds.
We are informed that over ono hun