The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-02-05
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM EAST
TENNESSEE.
KNOXVILLE AGAIN INVESTED BY
THE ENEMY.
From al Army Correspondent.

From al Army Correspondent.
NASHVILLE, Jan. 70, 1864.
Indications that the next battle will oc-
cur in the vicinity of Knoxville, accumu-
late. We yesterday conversed with seve-
raj well informed parties-two of them
East Tennessee refugees, and all the wit
nesses concur in the statement thai every
train from North Virginia comes loaded
with troops from Lees army; and that
these legions are Immediately added to the
force nov under Longstreet. 1t is even
believed by many that Lee himself, feeling
the absolute necessity for the re-occupa-
ton of East Tennessee, will leave his old
commander what will remain of it-and
take charge of the campaign in the region
of Knoxville. He and jeff Davis argue
this way if East Tennessee is not repos-
sessed, Richmond must be abandoned; if
in reinforcing Longstreet's army, the Cap
tal is lost, it may be regained, provided
the assault on Grant is successful; and
there is chance that Meade, like some Of
his predecessors, may remain inactive with
but small force confronting him, and in
that event, Knoxville may be retaken and
Richmond saved.
b Indications certainly increase that the
next collision of arms will be in East Ten
nessee. Officers and citizens from that
part OF the field agree that Longstreet is
being reinforced from Richmond. The
railroad from Richmond to Longstreet's
present position, the East Tennessee and
Virginia road, is in running order, having
been repaired since the slashing which
Averll and his horsemen gave it near
Salem. The distance is only about three
hundred and fifty mles-a days ride.
The rebels have plenty of rolling stock,
and it is, and will continue to be, very
easy to pour in reinforcelnents to Long
street, to any desired number. The num-
Der will only be limited by the exigencies
of the position at Richmond.
Both armies are threatening, and hot
and heavy work may be expected, but not
at once. The rebel position is full of dam
ger to the Contederacy. Richmond is in
volved in it, and may be lost by battle
in East Tennessee.
Military men here only hope the rebels
will make an early attack on Knoxville
nothing would be more gratifying to those
who understand the disposition and the
strength of our forces. Offensive opera
tons on the part of Longstreet, would in
sure the defeat and dispersion of his army,
though all Lees forces were with him.
Upon this subject speak from thorough
knowledge of the situation and dare we
publish the facts, the public would feel as
mach assured on that point as we do.
Should the present warm weather con-
tinue ten days, the roads will be in con-
dition to admit of campaigning BY
whom will it be inaugurated? The rebels
Or Gen. Grant.
The country is most difficult to hold or
to operate in with military force. These
parallel valleys must be advanced or re-
treated through with perfect correspon-
dence and caution, to prevent disastrous
results. The scarcity of supplies is the
great drawback to military comfort there
The cavalry troops have suhsisted on the
country almost from the time of its occu-
patton. Mills are impressed, and grain to
feed them, and the live stock for meat
Coffee and sugar are "played out"
Col McCallum arrived last week, and
proceeded Immediately to the 'front.' on
duty connected with the repairing of the
road from Chattanooga to Loudon, near
Knoxville. Large numbers of mechanics
have been employed and brought down
from the North, and the work is being
pushed with all the speed and energy pos
sible. The reconstruction OF this road is
of the utmost Importance, and it is evident
that no exertiOn Or necessary expenditure
will be spared to secure it.
Trains are now running on the East
Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, from
Ioudon to Massa Creek, sixty-ive miles.
Boats are moving from Loudon to Chat
tanooga, and trains from CHATTANOOGA
northward.
Desertions from Hardees army are in
creasing. understand that the average
last week was fifty daily. His force is be-
lieved to be less than 10000. 1t is very
easy to see that such depletion is affecting
his strength and the morale of his army
very much.
Three Federal Army corps occupy East
Tennessee. The 4th (Gen. Gordon Gran
gers) has the extreme left, which rests on
the Church Mountains the 23d corps
(l4en. Manson's), occupies the centre, and
the cavalry corps of the army of the Ohio,
the extreme right, which rests on the
smoky Mountain, the boundary between
North Carolina and Tennessee. Several
Illinois regiments are in the 4th corps
the 42d, SOth, 22d, 9th and 51st-vete-
rams of the bloody fields of Wilson's Greek,
Pea Ridge, Stone River, Murfreesboro,
Chickamauga and Chattanooga. They are
ro-op1ictiuu o1mOof onfiro