The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-01-30


THE LATE MOVEMENTS IN EAST TENNEssEE.-
The following extract from letter, explains the
late movement of our army under Lieut. Gen.
Lon.street:
The Yankees came up in fine spirits few days
since, pioC lamng they advanced that they were
about to drive I4oncstreet out of Tennessee. The
Fourth Army Corps, part OF the 23d, anu their
entire cavalry force, moved up to point between
Dandrdge aud MorristoWn. Our forces were NOV
ed down to meet them on ti,sJ4th. after placing
his infantry, Gen. Longstreet with his staff, moved
the front, and joining the cavalry, personally
supcrntended its movements. The enemy endeav-
ored, by Hank movement with their cavalry, TO
get into The quick eye of the General
so arranged matters As to throw Jenkinss Gate
HoOds) division i'll their front, and he ordered
Gen. Martin to throw a portion of his cavalry in
the rear and press them upon jenkins. Martin
gave the order.
The enemy, without being pressed; came unex-
pectediy on Jenkins, and were driven pell neil,
was supposed, on Martins cavalry. But, alas .
the cavalry, by some mistake had grone around to
the faut Of the enemy and 10 the rear OF Jenkins,
and of course the way open for their escape,
OF which they took the. earliest, advantage, and
went Oh their Waq rejoicing.
There i. hing wrong about the cavalry off.
GERS. The material is good can be desired,
but the discipline is wretched, and II IS almost in
Cficientin consequences. striking instance OF
this occurredin the present movement. Harrison s
brigade was ordered to make a certain movement
which promised the successful capture OF about
one thousand horses from which the enemy had
dismuunted. The move was made, the horses
were ;sctually captured, the men in charge shot
down, but, instead of turning back the horses un-
der sufficient qua d, our cavalry became mob
of plunderers, commenced rifling the holsters OF
pistols, loaded themselves with spOils, and In the
midst of their confusion. brigade of Federal cav;
airy dashed in, recovered the horses and scattered
men.
Had the cavalry been efficient as il word
have been under leader like Ransom or Hamp-
ton this would Have been the last week for Feder-
al forces In East Tennessee. Wherever they met
our men they showed that they were utterly de-
NOR raiized, and depenaed entirely on their feet
ness of foot safety. Our infantry could not fol-
low them-the roads wretched-the snow al
most constantly on the ground, and many, many OF
the men uRshod. The infantry did all that il went
to do-resist the advance Of the enemy. The pur-
suit rested with the cavalry. Had it been led with
the dash and bOidncss that the occasion demanded,
the whole Federal force, wagons and all, would
have been in imminent peril. As ii is, the move
ment has been full Of fruits. We now occupy or
copteoi that part of East Tennessee capable of
sustaining our army.
we are at present well fed. The Yankees are
on half ratOns, and driven back TO the neighbur-
hood Of Knoxville, their bill of fare "will grow
small by degrees and beautifully iess,' until at
Ia.t they must retire from that portion OF the State
Our men are well hutted, la fine spirits, wei,
fed and in feW days more will be well clothed.
After that If the cavalry will half do its duty Il
starvation has not already driven the Yankees out
our troops will.