The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-01-23
For the Virginian.
The East Tennessee Raid.


| do not offer myself as the champion OF
any one, but realizing, as l do, the manner in
which the great mass of public opinion is
formed, I feel it my bounden duty to saw a
few words il reply to the article promulgated
by the Editor of the Advocate, assisted by the
Post Commander at Bristol, relative to the re-
cent Yankee raid in E. Tenn. First: So far
as the editor is concerned, | would simply re-
mark, that being no General myself, feel a
dellcacy IN critlcIzing the proofs he has given
to the world OF his genius in that line. But
unfortunately for a proper appreciation of lis
merit in the minds of some, he demonstrates
himself after the difficulties he treats of have
passed away. He is evidently, though. a
great General, and if his foresight prove as
good as his hnd-sight. he is 20 doubt gun
that will drive the centre every shot. can
only regret that such ability is lying in s.eod
obstruction" while our country needs it to
command her armies in the field. Had Gen.
Marshall been aware Of his presence in our
midst, don't suppose he would have presum-
ed to have taken the command of his forces
in his recent effort to capture the enemy
And whilst hesitate to offer any objections
to the Editors conclusions, do not fear rang.
ing beside them a few truths, and | propose
doing 50 IN as brief a manner as possible
When my own personal knowledge has been
at fault. have appealed for facts to officers
competent to give them. | therefore speak
confidently as appertains to my own, and adj
visedly in regard to the statements of others.
The enemy entered the State of Va, through
Crank's Gap, in the Cumberland Mountains,
on the night of the 18th of December. and as
was to be expected, their presence was not |
discovered until the morning of the 2eth. and I
information of their movements was not re- !
ceiyed by Gen. Marshall until about 10 O'clock
the same night. Said information gave their
furce as 1900, and located them at Pattons- I
vile, Scott CO., at o'clock that day. The |
dispatch containing it was received from Nor
ristown, within the military district of E.
Tenn, aud it was reasonable to suppose that
the authorities Of said district received infor-
nation at the same time. / have not consulted
with Gen. Marshall, and do not know what
his ideas were as to the intended movements
OF the enemy. merely judge of him by how
ne acted IN the premises. He Immediately
telegraphed the information. to the Command
ants OF his various corps, and began the con-
centratlon OF his necessarily scattered forces.
W ny they were scattered In this eatenout and
half provided country need net be explained !;
to any one. The intention of the enemy, when
this news was received was not known. and
there was no means of conjecturing it. That e
he came to do damage no one doubted, and {
there were two points at which, from his then |
position, he could strike a stunning blow |
the Salt Works, in the district of Gen. Mar +
shall, and the rail road bridges, in the district
It =. Tenn. Now, where was Gen. Mar Q
halPs first duty? According to the Editor =
Ind POST Commander" he should have ad-
1anced to the rescue of E. Tenn. / e
Ii this be the case, and Gen Marshall is D
expected to protect the department. of E. p
Tenn, ne ought to be so instructed by the Y
Department. and have the force placed ii
e his disposal to do SO. A regiment of his s.
aVairy was posted only a short time since Il
ew miles within the precincts of said depart a.
lent and directly in the line Of approach 81
aKen by the enemy in their recent raid h,
rem. smith did not deem their presence of fla
~ Importance to its military defence, and b;
raefed them out-when the hour of need ar W
wed they were so miles away. st
Gen. MARSHALL S first dispositions were made he
throwing a regiment of his cavalry forward eli
as TO cover the approach to the Salt Works. le;
round which point battalion of artillery en-
as that night concentrated. A regiment Of / tn
lIantry and two battalions of cavalry were re,
'ncentrated at Bristol, to protect that place we
"a the line OF rail road intervening between tn,
IRE and there. On the morning Of the Both. for
q as soon as the probable intentions of the dia
emy became known, Gen. Marshall inn wa
sdiately began to rush preparations for me
aaing all his available force to Bristol, did
llch point the Post Commander and Others Alb
egraphed him was hourly expected to be por
!. There was reported rolling stock low
hcIent at this point in the morning to have thi
Warded Col. Hawkins battalion Of infant ear
~ oA~e- Aa u iAS oiuefeU 10 tho depot, but Wol