The New York herald., 1864-12-09
From Breckinri dge's Conn and.
she REBEL ACCOUNTS OF TEE PROPOSED Das0LATI0N
OF EAST TENNESSEE
Correspondents Of the Richmond Whg, Dec. 81


fCorrespoudence OF the Richmond Whig, Dec. g.
CAMP NEAR hossY CREEK, Nov. %, 1854.
Since the late rou Of the federal forces at Russsly lie
and their subsequent defeat north OF the Hoston nothing
has transpred worthy Of chronicng In reiereace TO
army The only thing thai seems TO elicit
order General sherman directing that every huse in
East Tennessee be burned the country 10 be desoa,ed
his weakness and inability 70 bold the country and
summats his purposes 10 Georgia Ills evident, from
this order also snas I'D me oe o. Communication rem rem
he has determined 70 seek new base Of operations.
Hence he has no flank 10 this direction to protect and
wishes tho country desoated ana the troops withdrawn
intelligence deemed in every respect reliable reports
Cumberland Gap svacuacd thai the oops had oil gons
An indignation meeting was held by the Union citizens
Of Knoxville the proceedings OF which, with memorial
rescind the order Great excitement In Knoxville and
surrounding country: In tbs order a property irre
specve OF political tenet 70 share alike IN the great
work desoton and ruin. 10 Of this order
macy OF Giiems Brigade have deserted and gone homo
There s no aoao, but wns ma Ss enemys :1s'n IL this
greatly reduced by Shcrman's mevcment through 0eor
gia. Gillcms command remains under the guns Of the
forts arousd Knoxville and cannot be Induced 70 come
Ramor says that s,oueman came 10 Knoxville and
sumed command Of Gii.em's cavalry. But this nesds
conlrma,ou. The most reliable Information that
be obtained 10 SioneDans visit TO the "fated city,.
vas fer the parpose Of settling the difficulties between
Ammon and Giem The latter charges tho former with
being the Of the defeat st kusselve bosise he
Did not isnd up the prom son,orosmeS"
cowardcs alone as the n The disaster. Bowniow
settle. tho difficulty by saying that they are both gallant
ocera and that the OF the defeat s alone attr
butable - the overw hcming numbers OF the renels
under Breckenridge. He says that Gem was ATTACKED
by Ten times his numbsr-thAt the rebes wec twenty
" hyo Thousand siropR.
This system OF lying has Its inuer CO only with the
common Of the country and tho raobe OF the army
negroes, 10
tempt by those protesting dignity of character He
IL destined 70 die and be remembered as Benedict Arnold
OF 10. -
The confidence OF people was never stronger. All
are iubiant and full OF enthusiasm.
lie spirt OF soldiers improves daily. They feel
really they soldiers aud are moro than anxious
TO meet the ioo Thousands Of suppes IN the different
departments. both compsssry ard quartermastcr Vie
late de Of Glem furushed the most OF our men with
a supply OF blankets aud overccats.
The gallant Brgadier General Duke hns been In com.
mand of our cavalry for tme and enjoys the con-
ndence OF his troops. more worthy and meritofious
sppointment has not been made aiDce The Commences.
ent OF hostiies He bids fair 20 take rsnk with the
leading cavalry officers OF the service Like the noble
Breck rridgc be bnes the intellectual ltes. even
before The war with The military Both OF these ocers
since, which attribute that but few O. claim In
. great measure the has made our generals their
celebrity. The great Beckinridgc-areat he ~, Tor
greatness consists IN the power Of the inclcct-pever
turns the nne nicctes OF West Ponsm Tor hs
but 10 bis own gigantic mind his wonderful Judgment
He carries In hts lace an imposing majesty that com
mands the md admiration OF all those who meet
him. Hn talents ,ro commensurate 10 more sNten.
sye ned Of operat than this He has the ccnhdcrce
Of both the army and The people BIRD
Plains and but small garrison ~ Knoxville No troops
this sdc Of the river They don't even send PICKET 70
this side OF The Hoson vdetss stand The east snd
OF the bridge