The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-10-22
Airtmnna qispattb.
MORNING. OCTOBER s2, isss
FROM CHICKAMAUGA.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENCE
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TENN, !

fFROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT |
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, TENN,
October IA, 1853.
The two armies confront each other still,
though in other respects some interesting
changes have occurred since the date of my
last letter from this place. Rosecrans has
rebuilt the lower Urestle) bridge that was
carried away by the freshet some ten days
ago. This time he has made it higher, aud
apparently stronger, than it was before, but
not SO high or SO strong, 1t is hoped, that it
may not be swept away by the heavy rain
which has been falling here for the last
thirty six hours.
1t is believed. also. that Rosecrans has
sent his horses to the rear-probably to
points on the railroad where they will be
convenient to fOrage-as none have been
seen about Chattano ga for the last few days.
This step, il il has been taken, Will diminish
greatly the pressure upon his wagon trains,
the principal lAbols of which will hereafter
be limited to the transportation OF supplies
for the Federal troops.
The shortest and best road by which he
can haul these supplies passes along the
north bank of the Tennessee at a sharp bend
in the river, six or eight miles below Chat
tanooga. At this point the trains are ex-
posed to the fire Of our sharpshOOters, posted
on the south bank, who attacked one Of the
trains on the llth, killed number Of mules,
and completely blocked up the way. The
following day the enemy shelicd the woods
along the river in that vicinity, with the
hope OF driving the COnfederates away or Of
making them show themselves; but he sue
ceeded in doing neither. Should We be able
to close this road, the distance by the cir
+ cutous route which the trains would be
: compelled to travel would be almost, if not
quite, doubled, whilst the difficult and rug
ged character of the way would he increased
in the same ratio.
1t is not probable, however, that the
enemy will abandon the lower or river road
without making a strong effort to keep it
open. The difficulty of procuring supplies
is already serious enough. 1t ia reported
that a provision train arrived night before
last ,and that for some days previous the Fed
eral army had been put upon shorter ratiOns
than any Confederate army in the field has ever
been reduced to-. This lower road passes
through the town Of Jasper, to which point,
ing, if they have not already completed, 4
railroad, connecting with the Nashville and
Chattanooga road at Bridgeport. The road
bed for this work was prepared, as learn,
before the commencement OF the war
When put into operation, it will reduce the
distance from Bridgeport to Chattanooga 10y
the wagon road, nearly one third.
We are without further intelligence from
Knoxville, and nothing has been heard Of
Gen. Wheeler, for whose safety considerable
uneasiness is felt in official circles.* TIE
Louisville Journal. OF the 3d inst, says that
Major General Slocum and Brigadier Gene
rails Williams and knipe, of the Army of
the Potomac, arrived at that city on the
evening of the 2d. 1t is believed that these
<>ffsa 0,,1 <hasr 10 I,ov,o al~
reached their destination. Sl0cum and Viii
liAms each commanded corps dd,nses at the
battle Of Charlottesville. 1t may be that
portion of the reinfOrcements sent to Rose
Grams has been orderedto to Bridgeport, Steven
son, and other points along the enemy's line
os communications, and that Wheeler has
encountered a heavier force than he expected
when he started on his expedition. We
have no information in regard to the wherea-
bouts of the Federal cavalry.
But to what point have the Federal rcin-
Corcements been sent? 1t is not improbable
hat most of them have gone, or will go, TO-
Knoxville and other points in East Tennes'
see. and to Bridgeport and Stevenson, i'll
Mort ,reast Alabama, and that only small
number, comparatively, have been ordered
to Chat tanooga. 1t is the purpose OF the
Federal Government to hold East Tennessee
permanently, if possible, and to that end the
banks of lfOsecrans will be protected by
heayv columns, distributed at supporting
dista from each other, along the Nash
vile and Chatt anoOga Railroad as far as Ste
yenson. and along the East Tennessee road
above and below Knoxville. Should another
attempt at Invasion be made, as there doubt
less will be il we remain idle, the Federal
plan of campaign will probably involve ST.
inultaneous advance from Bridgeport, Chat
ianooga. and Knoxville, upon Dalton.
But it is believed that the combinations OF
the enemy, whatever they may be, might
have been defeated if we had pressed him
Monday and Tuesday afterth battle, or moved
promptly towards East Tennessee upon his
left flank. Indeed, it ia said that this latter
movement was not only decided upon III a
full council Of superior officers, but that it
was actually begun on Tuesday, the 22l OF
September, only to be countermanded that
night. The object Of the proposed move,
ment, doubtless, was to capture or disperse
the forces under Burnside, reoccupy East
! Tennessee, and make bold push for Nash
Vile. It is doubtful, however, whether oul
supplies and means of transportation were
uflicient at that time for an undertaking So
in ,Dortant as q movement upon Nashville
ti,,1ugh it is believed we might have gone fal
emo ugh to reopen East Tennessee and com
mel ROsecrans to retire upon the capital ol
the State. In the meantime preparations
might have been made for an eventual ad
vance into Middle Tennessee. 1t is hoped
the goldSn opportunity has not been entirely
lost. 0AAAosr.