The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-10
BIAia's Cross RoAps, Tenn. Dec. Is, 1885

" KNOXVILLE MUST BE TAKEN.
From the prisoners captured in the recent fight at Bean
Station learn that has been heavily rein
forced from Virginia and that he under orders
Knoxville at all hazards This story from rebel
oicers-a major and lieutenant Il beeve-who cap
tured in the Aght and Is we'll to take their statement
orano salis Rebel officers, if they knew the
plans Of their leaders, would not be ready to dvugo
them That Longsreet has been reinforced there
no doubt.
THE STRENGTH.
LonRstreet had In the siege Of Knoxville nearly
five thousand men, inclusive OF a wandering band Of
rebels under Jones Williams whose duty heretofore
was sort OF border warfare on the State line between
Tennessee and Virginia He has been reinforced by
ten or fifteen thousand from Ewellis command, giving
him now force Of from thirty nve to forty thousand.
for the officers above mentioned may have spoken
the truth, on the principle that where stories from
the truth would appear as falsehood. The better sou
ton OF the question: however, Is that Iongstreet is
ordered to make demonstration Knoxville to detan
Shermans forces while Hardee may fall upon Thomas
reverse the trick which Grant played upon Bragg.
cannot effect anything He has the cearheaded Parke
contend with say this without any boastipg We have
been repulsed il true Bean Station and have fallen
back to point less than twenty miles from Knoxville,
thereby virtually giving the enemy possession of the
checked We have become army of retreat and
abandoned portion Of Tennessee the enemy but
without strategical purpose which may not mention
If mention Gen. Parke, do not to the disparage-
ment Of Gen. Foster, who, being but recently in
mand of our army, has transmitted the commaudn the
field to who, in the whole campaign In this action
was the right hand OF Gen. Burnside
BLAIRs CROSS ROADS.
Az 1ght- II may not be dignfed with the title o.
battle Is impending in this vicnity-it may be well say
few words about Blairs Cross Roads The great State
highway Of Eastern Tennessee is here ntersected by
road running from New Market, the railroad and
muncating with the road between Knoxville and Cum
borlaud Gap. II derives Its name from DR.. Blair,
wealthy resident Of the neghborhood Ia former years.
who owned the contiguous land The intersection OF the
roads Is In what Is known Rchland valley between
tain abruptly terminates here and beyond spur or
the country Is comparatively level to Knoxville. The
most prominent OF these spurs s eminence Few miles
southwest Of the Clinch range, known House Noun
tain. The Wiley s waered by stream which, deriving
Its name from the knobs s called Richland creek The
knobs, ike the mountain, terminate here. Tho road
from New Market winds around the foot OF the knob
affords splendid positions for defence from movement
upon our right flank The Cinch Mountain upon left
defends that flank while the road around its base and in
front OF which Is line OF Defence enables TO
our line OF communication with the gap free from attack
Az at present disposed the Ninth c0rps under General
Potter holds the let Of the road The
the road and the knobs and the New Market road
held by the Twentythrd corps under General Manson
Our renforcements under Cenera Granger yet
reserve line OF rife pits formed by fence rails laid
angle OF forty Ave degrees under filling OF EARTH
has been thrown the valley from the base Of tho
mountain TO and upon the knobs Eminences along the
line and the road the CENTRE have been planted with
of an attack from up the valley II the preliminary Skin
mishing Ia any index, the attack Is coming upon
right from the direction Of the valley between the knobs
ana the H0lston river.