The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-02-09

l.
The news from Knoxville is startling. al
though not entirely unexpected. IL seems
tha, Longs rect really has advanced against
Knoxville, aud in MI probability is by this
time besicgng that city. n'The latest Union
aud rebel telegrains agrec in representir q the
Confederate army as being within four miles
OF Knoxville; and, in ldilioo. the Union ac-
counts acknowledges that in the engagements
which have taken place our forces were worst.
cd, {, and that panic was prevailing in the
city Of Knoxville itself although Gen lPoster
believed he bad force enough to hold that
stronghold. The reasons for doubling wheth.
OF Longs,reet had advanced agaiust Knoxville
were founded upon the known character Of
the country, which is probably tho worst on
the whole theaire Of the war for a winter
campaign. Eu it seems from the recent
newspaper accan,,s tiat the weather has
been Of character TO dry up tho nui ami
make the couauy fl for campaigning, which
il now appears that Loags,reet has taken ad
vantage Of to lay siege to knoyvle. We
Judge that in'this matter Gen. Grant has been
deceived by the enemy. After his tour Fl m
Chattanooga to Rockville, and fro II thsac,
to Cumberland Gap, he seemed to have salts
fed himself that there was no danger Of
winter campaign, and took leave of absence
TO visit his sick son 10 st. Louis. He, no
doubt, by this time is again On his way 10 the
trout. That tho Administration is seriously
alarmed by the asp ct Of affairs in East Ten
uessee is shown by the statement, which has
been allowed to be m ,de public through
Boston paper. that tho 9th Corps, from the
Army of the Potomac, under Gen. Sedgwicz
has been sent 10 pos, haste TO Knoxvfe.f 'r
The recent withdrawal OF the rebels from
Dalton, il, indeed, that story i, true, will ac.
count for the reinforcemeots which have been
spoken of as having reached Longstrset's ar
my. Tue commander at Chattanooga seems
to havei besn thor rDugly deceived by thecmove
menls Of the rebels in his front, ard it was by
mere accident that the retreat Of Johnstons
army was discovered II, "a we fear, tho reb.
ell, have been quietly concentrating the bulk
OF their forces under Longstreet. it is not i'm
possible the next nows.we may hear will be
capture Of Knoxville, and perhaps the taking
complsh both these feats, aud be able to send
large force of cavalry into Kentucky, j,
would put Gen. Graut to his met,le to pre-
serve his conlnunicat on' between Louisville,
Nashville aud Chattanooga. His flank at
Chattanooga at least wouli'be turned. The
recent movement of Forrest upon G ,lu,u
bia woudsnow appear TO bo feint to distract
the attention OF The Federal commanders AMI
employ their cavalry at pciut' where they
cuud not be Of use TO resist the advance Of
large cavalry force into Eastern Kentucky.
The rebels Eave chosen a good timc for
their purpose TO strike an ugly blow at the
Union armies. A great number Of the west
ern regiments are now on fuIlough, and the
process Of reorganization with tho new recruits
is rapidly going on. Our army ia not in
good weIl.discipined force. Gen. Foster,also
is now lying sick in Knoxville, aad his militia.
ry ability will not be available 10 defsud that
city.
While there is much to fear, however, we
siill we'll grounded hope that the posi-
blity Of a campaign Of this kind has been
foreseen and guarded against by Geo. Grant.
The sending Of another army corps fro u Vir-
giiuia looks, however, as if matters in Eastern
Tennessee wore very serious aspect in the
eyes Of our N itary authorities.