New-York daily tribune., 1863-11-05

reduce the Rebel armies regularly to uncomfortable
mobs the decentralization of Braggs troops must indeed
have been alpcrvading.
from our army would have proved so thoroughly para
lying upon force large current reports repre-.
sented as having been engaged on the Rebel SIDE
fought the principal part of the second days action
with only about twenty thousand 1t is not likely that
we shattered the alleged hundred and more thou
sand of the enemy such degree to keep them in
passive attitude for SO long time.
The truth to be that in the battles OF Chicka.
mauga as well as in all preceding conflicts OF TINS war
we have Oyerestimated the enemy strength 1t Is now
positively asccrained upon the authority not only OF
Southern papers, but also OF Gen. Grant-which tie
War Department could fully prove II 1t chose to DO so
that Joe Johnston personally was not in Georgia all
last month, and that of his command but Breckin,
ridges divionabOnt 5000 strong according TO Rebel
reports-and one other brigade reinforced Bragg:
B,ckncrs division from East Tennessee did not exceed
600 men. Longsrcet brought three divisions from
Virginia; but it is well known that only two were en-
gagged the third arriving some days after the bat
Ties As to the reported presence OF Pemberton's S
troops. have The very highest authority for saying that
positive evidence Of II was obtained by Gen. Rose.
Grams and If he does not possess IL no one else can
Taking his estimate Of BIagg's army propcr-30. 900
men-we have aggregate Of about "a. .0OO muskets;
and an satisfied that future revelations will prove
this figure TO be rather above than below the real Rebel
strength
supposing that the encmys casualties numbered
ls oO--the estimate made by ourGeneras- would
remain 70 them 1900 men, exclusive OF cayalry--an
army that appears certainly powerful enough Tor I'M.
mediate offensive operations considering our loss OF
sixteen thousand) but inadequate for such after re-
endorsements had reached us.
1t being fully shown by the statements in Rebel journ
ais that the Southern leaders had early information oi
he movements OF rednforcemcnts from the East and
West ana the expulsion of army from Chattanooga
being comparatively easy by fanhing movements I'm
medate after its defeat Bragg would have lost no time
IN making the most of his opportunity II he had really
commanded the numerical preponderance ascr0ed To
him. And hrs splendid march into kentucky last
year has amply proved that he was not lackng IN bold
ness OF cnto,risc il be justly assumed that he
would have attempted this dislodge ;roin Chat
.anoog with his real force. had II net been ioG
obstacles other thar inadeqaacy Of numbers
And rhese are obviously short supplies OF prov isions
clothing and forage and insufficient sportation for
movements for any considerable distance from his bsse
All the statements Of Gcscrtcrsit should be borne IN
mind that some very intelligent and weinforTned OH
GERS were among hcnilI. b. the effect tia, IN MS
army there were more tan tvo or three days IA
tious hand and they only Of meats and corn'incal
that the men 0ie greatly suffering from want Of cloth
ing and blankets and that The troops from the East and
South Wcsi did no; bring single wagon with them.
| Even though Bragg should be able hereafter 20 re
move these draw backs offensive operations the gain
of strength nom rcenioTcements by our army VIII now
make EaAkng movements on his part vent 1res of doubt
iul prornise The failure, and all but Destruction, OF
" hce,rs and hartons Cavalry--twotlifds Of all oi
that arm ie t. himhaying also deprived lin Of the
mems of drawing ont ~ Chattanooga. by cutting
cur HES II communication, the only hope of compelling
III TO- nb ndon tho place mus. rest viii his artillery
A.lougl bong delayed. lively boinbardmcnt o! oui
ir0rt stems 10 me certain.
There was another ihundcrs, storm and he,yy fal, OF
rain yesterday afternoon, but to-day the sky is again
clear.
Yesterday, Cor ,e frst time in several weeks. mus
he; shot hrcd by the Rebel pcfcs n, one OF ou'
men. iuficiiue mortal wound
Ths afternoon. General Grangcr ordered one of ou'
batteries open upon long line Of Rebel infantry. that
appeared to be drawn up for review on Missionary
ridce Our shells struck no well that not only the
yew euddcniy terminated but number %. camps
within our range Islsi speedily removed.
Tonigh, shell is 20 be fired every half hour into Che
Rebel bisouacs from our 81 2poIndcr Parrots. The
dsturbancc of Rebel siumbcrs thereby contemplated
would b. well enough II this night entertainment by
our urterlst did hot also Involve oss O; much resi or
the part of our hard worked men,
A large force are now repairing and improving The
roads btwe here and Stevenson. To insure quicker
movement OF our supply trains. lhs measure might hs
v ell have been taken some time ago.