Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-11-04


am satisfied that the halt has never been
told concerning the late battle battle of Chic
smauge, OF The coBditioH OF the Federal army
sisce. General Roseerans was terribly defeat
ed But for the invincibe bravery and cool
ness OF General Thomas, our army would have
been chased through Tennessee aud Kentucky,
and none but stragglers would have escaped
The dauntless courage tbatis claimed to have
distinguished General Rosecrans on previous
occasions utterly forsook on this aud he
wandered about while the contest waged ferc.
est excited, undecided, aud paralyzed He
seems to have known nothing whatever OF the
con6gurstion Of the country, and one oeca-
sion, when the order was given to retreat, was
compelled to employ guide to show him the
way to Chattanooga He left the field early
in the fight, and rode all the way back to the
latter place, ostensbly to look after details
that might have been intrusted TO n non-com-
missioned officer, and at no time appeared on
the field where the fortunes OF the day hung
in the balance, to inspirit the men by his pres
ence, or aid the officers by counsel or advice
lie was no longer the victorious General with
the flush of victory ia his countenance, but
the detected comm ,nder, with the conscious
ness OF defeat overwhelming with consterna
tlon.
Telegraphie accounts Of the battle, as usual,
we're garbled and mlsrepresented None but
such as pleased those in authority we're trans
mitted 1t was given out we had achieved
another victory, but had fallen back to Chat
tannooga to enjoy its fruits. Next came the
intelligence that General Rosecrans deemed
his position impregnabe against the assaults
of Geyeral Bragg Next, that all the eoun-
try could spare had been asked for, and we're
being poured into Chattanooga to prevent the
annhilatian OF the Federal forces there
| The situation at present is unsatisfactory,
and even critical. General Rosecrans had re-
solved on eyacua ing Chattanooga, though
the order for dong so had not been officially
issued General Grant was unwilling his first
order should be one OF evacuation, and has
determined to hold it for the present How
/ long he may be able to do so, no one can tell
| The railroad from here to Louisville is 1856
miles in length, and far from being secare.
The river is how, with no prospect OF any i'm
mediate rise. To Chattanooga from this place
! is lib miles through an enemys country, and
with armed rebels in front, rear and Hank =
The road is torn up by the rebel cavalry al
most daily, between thus and Steve nson, and
heavy forces Of infantry are reported making
demonstrations also
! From here TO Bridgeport, l23 miles, we
have uncertain possession of the railroad.
From Bridgeport to Chattanooga, a distance
of twenty-eghttm tmiles, the enemy have unds-
puted possession We send supplies to the
army in Chattanooga by wagons from Steven
son, over one OF the worst roads ever travers-
ed 1t is one continued hill and mud-hole,
made slippery and bottomless by heavy rains
and constant use Sufficient transportation
cannot be obtained The soldiers have been
on halfrations since the battle of Chicamaugs,
and it is impossible to supply them long at
that rate. No forage or provisions can be OBJ
tanned from the country in circuit Of forty
miles Our situation is desperate. If the
bridge and railroad at Bridgeport can be re-
constructed within week, and a sufficient
force thrown between there and Chattanooga
to open communication all the way by rail,
we may be able to hold the place II this can
not be accomplished quickly, its evacuation
is certain. II the supplies cannot be sent to
the men, the men must be marched to the
supplies.
The road itself is poor one, and lily able
\ to feed an army the size OF this The people
are hostile through Kentucky and Tenn essee,
| fear, and cannot be depended on for any as
sistance in guarding the road, or furnishing
information concerning our enemy. Under
Tue must ltNOihDle ClICulnAluucts we SNAIL
have great difficulty in transporting the nee
essary commssary, quartermaster, and ord.
nance stores for this army all the way from
Louisville to Chattanooga by rail 1886 miles.
From here to Louisville it is in the hands Of
the company, and has furnished an average
OF only tbirty-three cars per day for the use
of the Government The balance of its roll
ing stock is monopolized by private dealers
aud shippers who have special permits to ship
goods, makes enormous profits, aud can afford
more pay and bribes to insure the transit of
their merchandise. General Grant will be
compelled TO declare it military railroad
No other arrangement will do.
Great complaints exist OF the manner in
which trade intercourse is kept up with the
rebels from this point Very little conceal
menl is attempted. Men buy wagon loads of
goods for rebel consumption daily, and send
them out of our lines openly. Supplies
enough for 10000 men daily are saiG to go
from here to Bragg army, ana still the spec
ulators 90 unpunished The police of the
place appear to be worse even than that of
Memphis ENTIRE Nous
The New and Old Banks.
That there is to be great conflict between
the new and old banks appears to be nevita-
BILE. The capital concerned in the last is over