, 1864-03-03
A1sr,I1Knr-BotkerIes- S. 9TH II. H., Ind. 9Th
and 10Th, Mo. 1st, Ills. n, Ind. 10th, Penn. a8th,
Ohio 9Th, Ill. Bridges.

KNOXVILLE. Tcnn., Feb. 24, 1874.
The spring campaign Ia now commenced in
late 1ncnacing position, and is hu1ying to-
wards North Carolina By way Of Bulls Gap.
After allowing him to ret good start, our
troops arc ordered to follow up. It is proba-
bic that the sudden departure Of the rebels
is caused BY the news Of the destruction Of
which communication with their base of sup
plies becomes endangered. They have been
apprehensiye of such q disaster for some
time, and the news is therefore likely to be
correct We Gun now act In direct concert
with our troops at Cumberland Gap and keep
our lines straight and strong.
The whole army-except force adequate
to The protection Of the p1ace-fs moving out
Some regiments, though in good spirits, look
waz-worn and dirty. Their flags and uni
forms delight not the eye Us In former times.
The storm Of battle has passed over them
and their beauty Is gone. The weather is now
genial and spring-llkc, and the little shaNcr
Or "dog' tents will soon introduce the SOL
dier 10 active campaigning. In few more
weeks VIC shall hayo grass, which will
I'D great boon to our miserable animals.
The country is now completely " "foragcd
OUT" and corn fn great quantities. is brought
in on the railroad from distance. The dis
trIct recently occupied By the rebels lies be-
tween the Holston and the French Broad
Rivers, and ia the richest in East Tennessee;
but when VIC get up there nc shall find moth
ing left for man Or beast. Hence the ncces-
sity OF safe md rapld communication with
our base OF supplies; something which hasty
tlrcside warriors never consider. II wish
such men had the nice little job Of conduct
Ing a train loaded with supplies across the
Cumberland mountains, and about d score Of
wagons were to break down on their hanla.)
It was for this very reason that East Tenn ss-
see, though known to DC suffering, was appaz-
~ $1ty +Asvfn tod I'm T.,
transportation was too prccRrious to be re-
lied upon; and not until the clrcuitous, but
| practicable r1ilroad and river communfca-
lions were secured by the possession of mid
die Tennessee could the occupation OF the
eastern part Of the State ba attempted with
| safety.
Peter Longstrcet is now making "tall
licks ~ into Virginia or North Carolina. md
nc arc following ut respectful distance.
Troops from the south side a1e still marching
through town, though our advance Is far
beyond Strawberry Plains.
The bridge over the riycr here Is compIct-
4 Spy Of the name Of Hincky Is under scn-
tencc to be hung next Frilay--an un1ucky
day for him. He deserted from the rebels,
aud took the oath Of allegiance, and has since
md SPY. One Of these whitewaslcd hypo-
critics abused IN old Union man on the street
yesterday, using very Insulting language
when big boDy Tennessee Captain came to
the rescue, and handled the s'Souticrn man.
to the satisfaction Of everybody, and the pros
tration of several. The t'Southern NAM is
In the guard house.
Reliable intelligence has Just been received
that party Of citizens, under Major Kirk,
who started from this place about week
ago, burnt the bridges in the rear Of the
,Yick's sixth Army Corps In his rear, induced
the rupil and sudden retreat nf Lonrstrpaf