Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-27
From the Springfield, Ills, Daily State Joam'
Letter from East Tennessee.

IEOlH luS IE4iHSHNAN A'Ni ~S'.
Letter fr0m East Tennessee.
General BprnSids'S Ad0ance--IHe Rebtl Re.
tredt-C CAPTURE Of Loud0n--SVTjagS Of
Union Men in East IenncSSec-Ihrr joy
al Delicer1ncc-D Difficulties Of the march
Mroaghth -uomtaiAS-Re5A Br0ggntiSm,
DC.
uEApoUARrERs % DIV ESD AmtT CoErs,
Loudon, Tennessee.
Editors Journal Our division arrived
here September 4th, and found the place in
the quiet possession Of the advance cavalry
brigade, under command Of Col. Graham
Gen. Buckner, who was in command, had
heard of the approach Of the Yankees and
began evacuating Loudon during the last
day of August, leaving SCOTS cavalry 10
guard the last train Of cars, and to crown
their fight with the destruction by fire, Of.
the noble railroad bridge which spanned the
Tennessee river at this point This bridge
was near 1000 feet in length, built Of hard
pine. in the best manner The rebels were
much alarmed for its safety, and have kept
n large guard here for two years past 70
prevent It's destruction The palisades erect
ed for its defense are very substantial. and
will come in good play Tor the use OF our
in its place
| subjoin an account Of the action here
from the pen of an eye witness, Capt, VIM
NJ Alexander, one Of the first citizens, in
point of intelligence and responsibility. and
| may add, a noble high minded man, who
has been deeply injured by the rebels, after
G,,l;nc, flint l,,;k,,
threats, could suffice to turn him from his
devotion to the Union. He has wife Of
the same stripe, worthy partner upon
whom the chivalry have heaped every abuse
but who did not fail to lash them with her
tongue whenever opportunity oticred--
Captain AleXanders statement is as fol
lows:
Son Wednesday, the ID inst, about 10
o'clock A. NJ, the United States troops ap.
peared on the range Of hills opposite the
town. The rebels, in anticipation Of their
coming, had already planted two pieces Of
artillery on the hill northwest Of the town,
and one near the river, and with some six
or seven hundred otScott ; cayalryremaincd
with view to protect the retreating trains
The rebels fired first from their batteries on
the United States troops The fire was i'm
mcdiatelv returned. At the second fire the
rebel battery at the river was dismountcd,
which WAS forthwith hauled OF. while the
shells fell rapidly around the depot and
trains, and among the groups Of cavalry
scattered through the town killing one rebel
near the writer. The trains left and the
shells soon cleared the town Of the enemy.
In the meantime the two pieces Of artillery
on the hill unlimbered and followed the re-
treat. The bridge, about the same time.
become enveloped in a sheet Of fame. and
soon, with a loud crash, tell mass OF ruins.
into the river. secthing and boiling not uu-
like an angry chaldron, full and prophet
cally verifying the predictions Of the Union
men here, (when charged with IN attempt
to burn the BRIDGE that when the noble
structure was destroyed it would be done by
the rebels There was no damage done by
the shells TO the town. the shelmg having
ceased soon after the rebels left | was in
the town during the Smelling, and. living
near the depot, hung out white flag to in
dictate the enemy had lett, and to stop the
further Smelling of the town and secure the
safety of the citizens. which. am happy to
say, or some other cause, had its effect
Knoxville was occupied about the same
time, with no show Of resistance The rebel
troops had been withdrawn from there. and
their last brigades were passing southwark .
through this place at the time our cavalry .
advance was heraded Although the United .
States forces had for months been expected. .
yet their sudden arrival took every one by
surprise-so little was actually known here
by the rebels or Union men of the approach
of the grand expedition that was TO release
this vast region, known as East Tennessee.
from its thraldom of oppression No pen
can describe the suflerings endured BY the
true-heartcd portion Of the inhabitants du
ring the reign of terror which has existed
throughout this entire region since the ou.-
set Of the wharf.-the many anxious longings
for succor. often promised but ending in .
deep and bitter disappointment, and des- |
pairing of the ability Of the Government to .
afford relief were imperiled by necessity to .
take sides with the rebel cause, in order to
provide for the wants of their families. and
many others would have followed suit. but
for the noble conduct of Captain Alexander
and others of the same faith. who contribut
ed food from their own stock of provisions.
and cheered up the dropping spirits of their
weak -kneed and despairing brothers. All
honor 70 the noble band who remained true