, 1863-05-06
nlUREREESB0RO C0RRESP0N-
DENCE,
ssIhc cEf&untlons,-The Advanced Po-
nision of tlse Rebel ArIny-Ifaut is to
FulfOE-Qur Army.


(From Our Own Correspondent
MuRrREEsBoRo, May 2, 1868.
TIE SITUATION
ed, you were told by telegraph, that Bragg
had ordered all baggage to the rear, resersing
but three flys to hundred men Of Ills rebel
army. The opinion was then freely expressed
that the order meant fight, it being distinctly
remembered TINT upon several former occa-
eions, The rebel General Ind preceded his &C.
tive movements by similar contraction of
camp cquipage.
The advance Of Monday and Tuesday Last
is the sequel to the order; what will be the
sexual to that. advance, time can alone deter.
mine.
What are the probabilities
These facts We have: For { fortnight back,
scouts and refugees hare reported that the
country people we're getting letters from their
friends in The rebel army, telling Of an intend
ed attack upon Rosecrans.
Within two weeks time they have been re-
inforced from Mobile with from i've to tTcnty-
five thousand troops.
Police authorities hare had the most posi-
tiye ASSURANCE that Johnston was designing
IN advance and attack, which, put to the In
formation obtained by the military, would
secm conclusive as to the purposes Of the
rebel leaders.
These were the premonitions Of the fore
weeks occurrences, in regard to
which 1t is positively known that
the main rebel line has been advanced some
twenty miles, Bragg's headquarters having
been removed from Tu11ahoma to Shelbyyi11e.
Instead Of retiring behind the Tennessee us
his purpose at one time seemed to be, the
enemy has approached and taken position this
side ot Duck River. An examination of the
map will show that his advanced posts are
close upon the Federal lines. Woodbury.
(which, since Reynolds expedition, has been
already re occupied,) Bradeyville, Beech
Grove, Fairfield. Bellbuckle, Carmel, Union
in fact, every village from right 70 left upor
our front, has been occupied By detachmcntt
Of troops, and their caynlry outposts arc elost
upon every road and by-way leading soutl,
ward. The scouting piekets Of the two ar
mics are within sight Of each other, and not;
Day now passes in which shots are not cx
| Their heaviest advance forces, however, ar
| at Hooycr's Gap, on the Manchester road, an'
| ut Bcllbuck1e on the 6he1byville road. Th
two points named are the strongest natuT:
positions between here and Duck River, an
| their occupation would rather indicate de
| fensc than oficnse.
| l nm cne Of those who do not believe tha
this rebtl movement means attack, but almoE
every man with whom you talk has his oW
lccrIiar Interpretation Of it, and I do not SC
that onc's opinion is entitled to more weigh
than another, The movement Of the enetu
is open to cyerybody's examination, there b.
irg, imagine, nothing concealed regarding
at headquarters. The rebels may mean a
tack, they may mean flanking operations, IL
capture Of Franklin and Readeyyil
and O successful dash upon Nashville
The fact is, they mny purpose score {
! more possible operations, but certainly the
will not attempt the Notifications Of Mu
1rcesboro. I feel morally certain that 100, OK
| Of the worlds best troops cannot tod:
whip this army in it's present position, ar
being satisfied that the Eebess will enough u
dcrst anu our dc1rnses, 1 am perfectly ca!
regarding m attack.
But after all, the respective positions Of II
two armies cannot bcloDg maintained witho
battle, and The rebel advance, whelher for q
tack or defence, must prove to our bene1
| They have left the strongest natural position
OF defence, for comparatively open field, IL
unless a n pid retscat should follow our a
| proacil, the country will not have many weel
| 10 wait the discontinue Of Briggs reh
| army.
Tie army Of the Cumberland is alise al
strong, aid when The blow comes, there "
he such crushing of rebel bones, us this "
has lot yet witnessed L.C.