New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-25
FROM EAST TENNESSEE.
Departure OF tho Army-Thc strawberry
Plains Bridge Finisfed-An Excursion
mad an Encident-The advance.
from Our Special Correspondent.

| from Our SpeClbl NpfrcNprnd"ht
| KNOXVILLE, J.. T.. March II, 1864.
What with the actual quiet prevailing in this
department, during the past week or ten days, which
furnished nothing OF importance 10 speak Of and the
silent but busy note Of preparation for important for
ward movement of the army which could not prudenty
be mentioned yonr correspondent has found little mate
rial for letters. Fortunately from other quarters there
has been lack Of exciting Rews which, by the way
al present attracts attention in East tennessee
than anything that Is passing nearer home.
Beside ample force of infantry and artillery Tor
the defense of Knoxville, there is now no army here
The forts, and other oorthworks, around the place
which have grown into scientific and complete system
of defense under the able eye and hand Of the general
! 10 whom that department has been cOmmitted-Gen
| Tilson-are now garrsoned by strong regiments of
veteran and other troops and the army no longer act
inc Oh the defensive, but supplied with an abundant
cOmussariat and amply clothed, have turned their
backs upon the town now regarded ms perfectly secnro
behind s forts and have their faces as flint TO-
wards the enemy.
TIE BRIDGE COMPLETE.
On the 9th Of February, Quartermasters Whitman
ana Chamberlain received the order FOR the rebuilding
OF the greet bridge across the HOston Strawberry
Plains MI Cartier who had scarcely finished his
bridge the river at this place, immediately took
in hand the AT the Plains Assistant Quartermaster
Chauberlains portable steam saw-Inil, which had
turned out such world Of lumber OF all descriptions
for this bridge was now put TO lis greatest capabilities
70 furnish che jost panklng aud timber Tor the work
IL took three days 20 transport the fats up stream with
the necessary machinery part also beng sent up by
train Might aud day the work went ahead without in.
tcTutcsi0n. Meantime heavy storm swept away the
Fiat Crock bridge which called OF part Of the force
TO repair aud replace IT, so as 70 permit the passage Of
the to bring bridge materials from below and this
occupied three days, when that bridge was restored
twice as strong and Trustworthy as the former one
Suffice 1t say in TWO weeks from the time the order
was issued a strong seryiceabe symmetrical bridge,
thousand feet IN length. spans the hOist0n River, and
the train filed with stores and troops passes IT,
IL would be venturing little TO that nothing in tho
way OF bridge building has outSrpped this since the
la.rr ~ fha 10 n
feet the whole length OF the structure loo feet sup
ported the old piers with pens hled IN with stones
between those in the river These enterprises reflect
much credit upon the practical skin Of Mr. Cartier tue
architect well upon tho energy and business tact
Of QusrterInasters Whitman and Chambcrlau, who
have bad the details 10 look after mat rial and labor 10
provide &c.
BY way % celebrating the completion Of The now
bridge small party OF officials with yonr correspond
en went upon the train yesterday passing over and
making inspection of the work. Tho people along
the route ont and by every manifestation OF de
light welcomed the iron horse with his Yam
kee rider he Numbered past them again on the war
p"' The retreang enemies Of the country Among
IN front Of iov 'aa esa t me
track stood whole family OF children IN tdttered home
spun, their shOeless little feet hall immersed IN mud
with the mother In threadhare garments pallld and
cere-Worn standing in tho midst little barefoOted
gii with her faxcn hair Streaming IN the wind stood
forward with the American hag in her hands ana Us
she waved il the tiny hands OF inc ntie group kcpt
graceful motion with the flag while smiles 81 welcome
lighted mp every lncament of their little faces Those
are the people, sad Mr. Hoxie the superintendent OF
the road "VhO need help IN East Tennessee. Eaeh
person present cordially egreed TO tho truth OF the
remark.
We spent part 81 the evening at Newmarket, ana
returned by The train. reaching Knoxville after mid
right To-day and tomorrow will witness the advance
OF The train as far as possibly beyond. Bulls ep The
road has been LETT wholly uniniured by th' Rebels Tor
which We ought 10 BE- much Obliged to thein.
Our advance to-day is at Messy Creek, end We shall
push ON toward Mcrristown at once. How much
iurther we SHAH 60 what the progra nme - 10
wond NOT be iudicious 10 mcntion'which find very
convenient way OF confessing concealng my TONI
ignorance al what tie programme IS In TINS matter
md many officers equally in the dark.
one thing is certain. there is longer concern az Ia
what we shall eat what shall drink, wherewitha
we shah be cothed-thiuR- ottg which AL soldiers az
well rs the geniles seek-fOr all these things now
in abundant supply l. q.