The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-19
The situation In Western Kentucky.

We have conyersed with two Of three
/ highly intelligent gentlemen just re-
/ turned from Cairo and Columbus, and
are in possession Of some facts and sur
misses that NAV, as far "a they are sus-
tanned, throw some light on the situa-
tion in that region, now becoming Of
most exciting interest It Is the ODIH-
| ion Of these inlOrmants that the rebels
are about to make Us much trouble In
Western Kentucky, as the carrying for
ward Of q deliberate programme for the
opening Of the spring campaign. FOs-
rests force, at the outset, was some
5000 men, chiefly cavalry. These were
thrown into the region very skillfully,
and the movement first betrayed itself
to the outside world in the assault on
Paducah, on the oath of last month.
We must believe that a march was ac-
tually stolen on our military com
manders, or certainly Col Hicks would
have been strengthened and in readi-
ness, which he was not, and only by
splendid management of narrow cir
cumstances saved himself and the
cause from a serious disaster At For
rests repulse at Paducah there could
not be too much satisfaction enter
tanned, unless indeed in such direction
as tended 10 undervalue bis original
design, and his remaining power for its
accomplishment Forrest was repulscd
at Paducah, but not 80 badly as most
Of the published accounts made out
He has since been improving his time,
and getting together a large force Tie
has been securing the whole region far
and wide for recruits, and that part Of
! Kentucky is not Oyer5tOcked with
loyalty. for horses, and it IS a most
fayorite region for such quest and FOR
supplies, easily 10 be gathered IN q sec
ton long unvisited by the war, or since
the days Of Fort Donelson
The local press, and the best informed
Union men Of Western Kentucky have
been for some time past anxiOusly
watching the rebel movement, and have
been convinced as the most skeptical
will soon be, that IL is something which
if not checked will be far reaching in
its disastrous results. 10 may yet APP
pear that everything has been prepared
against by our commanders, in which
case their secresy has been Wei pre-
served; but present appearance indi-
cate that there Is q serious undertaking
to Be met BY our forces in the very
theatre in 1861 the splendid Inaugural
campaign Of the war southwest from
Cairo IT would astOnish some Of our
readers, but we are not prepared 10 be-
lieYe il impossible that the rebels now
have from 10000 70 10000 men in
Western Kentucky, or within cOOperat-
ing distance Forrest and Faulkner
are both there. The intention viii bs
70 sieze point on the Ohio river, and
Paducah, IL gained, Is az the mouth Of
the Tennessee, and blockade wiz be
attempted 20 cut of the river route Of
supply for our army at Chattanooga,
thus striking q serious blow 40 its com
munications, and leaving only h2ht
work in Eastern Kentucky 70 cut the
railroad and make the severance COM
plete.
The effect sought Is a diversion in
favor Of Johnston, nOw IN force before
our army below Chattanooga This
would. Of course, be valuable in proper
ton % the success reached IN prevent
ing the forwarding Of troops, or by
making the rebel menace in tine rear
50 formidable against points exposed as,
to demand that portion Of our army ia
front be sent back 10 oppose it.-CA.esgo
TIbvaS