Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-02-03
FROM CHATTANOOGA.



CH,rTAaooGA, Tenn, Jan. 70, 1854.
Wr. Geo. ". Bliss:
Dean SIR:-Again | send you a few
notes of events, as they are passing in
this section Of the country
While YOU are shivering over your warm
fires, or wrapped in furs when you step
out Of doors the army of the Cumberl nd
is baSkiRg in the warmth of the sunny
South. Our streets for a few days past,
have been quite muddy The se~ere cold
and snow with which the year closed with
you, here gave place 10 rain-this, on the
last night Of the old year, was accompa-
MED by a degree Of cold unusual in this
region--the new year being introduced
with the thermometer some fifteen de
grees below freezing Once, about two
weeks since, we had snow about half an
inch deep, the first shat has whitened the
ground this winter Bat this melted off
the next duv.
An event Of the greatest interest to us
occurred on last Thursday, the l4th, in the
arrival Of he ears from Bridgeport Many
soldiers showed their interest en- the occa-
sion, by going cut to meet the train as II
slowly approached the depot, and by the
hearty cheers with which they greeted its
arrival. New We look for more abundant
ratuus which for a long time have been
short with Us, as well as greater regularity
in the mails, aud more speedy commun-
cation with the North
An insufficient supply of food fer man
and beast, weakening tie soldiers aud un-
fitting the artillery horses for severe labor
was one wreat reason why Gen. Grant did
not pursue the rctreating rehe 5 further,
in their flight towards Atlanta after the
battle Of Chattanooga. Ii IS almost i'm
possible for friends 1T home to realize how
much food and labor in supplying it, is
necessary TO meet the wants Of such an
army.
10 one on the ground. the change which
/ few weeks have Elected seems incredi-
ble-then, a victorious and numerous vet
eran army was in our front, threatening
an attack and greatly impeding our supply
trdins-nOw, that enemy is defeated and
nowhere to be seen-and not only are our
supply trains unimpeded, but their capac-
!itv IS being constantly augmented, and
both the cars and steamboats, are uniting
their energies to supply the wants of this
army We trust that East Tennessee is
now permanently restored to the Union,
an event which its suffering inhabitants
! have so long, and so earnestly desired. -
/ While, in this vicinity, not much Is being
done at the present time by active efforts
against the enemy he is still being con-
stantly much weakened in other ways
Daily large numbers Of the rebel army de-
sert and come into our lines, and are
ready to take the oath Of allegiance, in the
form prescribed by the President \ few
days since, | read the names Of thirty
such deserters from the southern army,
coming from different regiments, which
were designated. was informed by those
having the matter in charge, that these
were only half Of those who had come In
during the previous day, and that such
arrivals would average from one hundred
and tiltv TO two hundred Il week They
come from all the nei.hboring southern
states, especially Tennessee-and some,
even. from South Carolina and Virginia.
significant fact in reference to educa-
tion at the south, is made apparent in that
list. hv the large number of persons who
make their mark, being unable to write
their name. Such cases are said to aver
age nearly one half
Now, whatever may be the occasion Of
such desertinn, either loss Of confidence
In their cause and commanders or salts
faction with the offers of pardon made by
the President, this must be evident: not
only are the forces of the enemy being
much reduced by such an exodus. but
thev must soon lose that confidence in
each other. which is essential TO The sue
cess Of any army.
When it comes 10 this, that soldiers
when on picket desert ut the first opPor-
tunitv, that army must eventually melt
away
Still, there Is q veteran army opposed
70 "a. in which are many OF a very diff5r-
ent spirit / expect .here viii be at least,
two severe battles, one at the east and the
other at the west. before the war can be
brought To successful termination
As an illustration OF this spirit, few
DAYS since, / eonversed with a rebel chap
lain, taken prisoner in the fight on Mis-
siouarv Ridge. who was still determined
secessionis- and taught the same senti-
menrs II his men And only last week,
two rebel officers taken prisoners at the
same time. one of whom lost a leg and the
other Of whom was shot through both legs
and 50 badly wounded that part Of the
bone WAS taken from one of them. were
not only firm in their southern principles,
hut ready gain To defend them in battle
a tn first opportunity. They were un-
wiling to listen 10 any terms of peace, ey
cep on c.ud of entire Separation.-
~tili some of these men profess TO he Chris
tians. ana seem glad to listen to religious
conversation. and TO receive religious
books and papers. They not only re, pect-
fully listened, but seemed glad when |
proposed to preach TO them, and cheerfully