Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-03-12
The News and the Situation.

The news from Gen Sherman is impor-
tant BY the telegraph we learn that his
army has fallen back to jackson. This ret
rogade movement is said to have been caused
by the failure OF the cavalry force, under
Grierson and Smith to perform the part in
the movement assigned to it, SO far rs we
have heard, no disaster seems 10 have be
fallen the expedition, except that OF having
to fall back. Our army at Chattanooga is
quiet, waiting for the proper moment to
strike Our army in Florida, under the
immediate command Of zen. seymour, has
been defeated and forced back Negligence
is assigned as the cause Our success last
summer and fall was so great, and the re-
ported decentralization OF the rebels is so
complete, that We have naturally supposed
it would throw some of our commanders off
their guard and that some disasters would
be the result Those who suppose the rebel
army-small as it is supposed to be--wiIl
not yet give Us much trouble, will find them
selves disappointed. Many hard blow has
70 be struck before the rebellion il crushed.
Crushed it will be; but let our authorities
and Generals bear in mimi that there is still
a powerful military organization to be over
come. Let them therefore gather up all
their strength for the final campaign, which
will probably be characterized by more dar-
ing and desperate courage, on the part oflhe
enemy, than any Of the war
The positions of the armies in this depart
ment have not materially changed since last
week We then told our readers that the
forces of Longsrcct occupied the region of
country from Moorsburg across to Bulls
Gap and Warrensbure. We told them that
Longstrcet was not leaving East Tennessee.
and that he would not leave until forced to
do so. We stated this Il, the time dispatches
were being sent all over the country an
.nouncng his flight We have never vet
heard any good reason assigned why he
should leave. Our forces were not pressing
him SO hard in the front that it was nccc--
sary. The rebels were not pressed so hard
at other point, as to require the assistance
Of the force here. They were certainly not
starving, ;h" many absurd stories to tina,
effect notwithstanding Ifthey were starry
ing in the region Of country which they
have occupied in upper East Tennessee
the most bountifuliy supplied with provs-
ions in the South-whcro in the name of
common sense would they 60 to better their
condition? One thing is certain in our
mind, Longstrcets army is not starving
We can see no good military reason why It
should remain where it is. except to eat ont
the comparatively good supply Of provisions
in that region Of country. and thereby erin
pie and impede our army when it advances
Longstreet can no. hope 70 recapturc Knox
vile The salt works can bcas well defend
ed on the line this side of Bristol as a,
Bulls Gap. But by falling back there. he
leaves something still for our army TO sub.
sst on. That he is determined not to do.
We know nothing of the plans of our com.
mander, and would not disclose them if we
did, but we hayc every confidence in his
skill and energy, and we hope soon to hear
Of his advance. and that Long>trect has
been forced to fall back Then. and not till
then, will we have full faith in the reports
that he is leaving the State
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