The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-09-12


hour. From what saw and learned, things
we're looking better than one might expect
from the accounts which have been pub
lished from time to time in the newspapers:
This section Of country, between Bristol ana
Knoxville, has always been famed Tor It's
extreme Radicalism and Unionism. AT
Jonesboro' and other places many outrsges
have been reported, which are greatly ex-
aggerated, from all that I can hear. The
condition of the lands along the route is
good, and really much better than in many
parts of Eastern Virginia. saw many fine
crops of corn, and the people, in their zeal
for improvements, are rapidly recovering
from the effects Of former desolations.
At Knoxville we changed cars for the
train on the Tennessee and North Georgia
railroad. We were comfortably ensconced
in nice new coaches, and drawn along by
a new engine at the rate of over twenty
miles per hour. This road traverses rich
section of country, and through the beau
tiful valley of sweetwater, where the corr
crops are very good-the best on our route
Notwithstanding the tyrannical dominion
of Brownlow and his followers, the general
appearance of things in this part of East
Tennessee is very good. An air OF neat
ness and refinement prevails throughout, as
is indicated from the appearance OF the
dwellings and plantations. The people here
have never been so dependent upon the
MD NJ negroes as in Eastern Virginia, and
ore therefore better off now, and do not 80
keenly feel their loss in this respect, with
their spirit of industry and self-depend-
epce. The season has proven very propi-
tious, and large crops of wheat and oats have
been safely gathered in, while the corn
Weld promises finely. But little tobacco is
raised here.
We reached Chattanooga about "a r; NJ.
Chattanooga is the gateway from the 9ailey
of Tennessee into the plains OF georgia ana
Alabama. Five railways centre at this
point, making it place of great interest
and business. The Willis Valley railroad,
which will penetrate into one of the richest
parts of North Georgia, is not yet completed,
but is progressing rapidly.
Chattanoo is located on the Tennessee
river, with q population of some eight
thousand, and is completely surrounded on
all sides by arms and spurs of the Cumber-
land mountains. In these are concealed
mines Of copper, coal, iron, and lead, which
will prove of immense value to the country
when developed. Congress has voted an
appropriation for the opening and clearing
of the Tennessee river from its mouth to
this point, which will quicken the Interests
of the State very much.
On account of the position of Chatta-
nooga, and its railway connections, 1t was
esteemed place Of great Importance
throughout the war, and was held alter
nately by both armies. While occupied by
the Federals under General Thomas 1t was
surrounded on all sides by three or four
lines of Notifications, and the numerous
hills around were studded with forts which
still remain, in great measure, reminding
us forcibly of those stormy times. These
entertainments were thrown up within the
town also, without regard to the safety of
the people, but to hold the lines of railroad
simply.
Mount Lookout the south, rising 400
feet above the level Of the sea-overlooks
the town, and is memorable as the scene
where =" fighting Joe Hooker" fought in the
clouds when he scaled its heights in 1868,
and drove therefrom the Confederates.
Missionary Ridge lies in view, about three
miles distant, where was fought the noted
battle between Grant and Bragg, few days
after, within plain view of the Inhabitants,
whose hearts wavered in the balance for a
time, resulting, however, in the great dis
comfture of the Confederates.
There are many scenes of interest around
here, and the inhabitants give many vivid
accounts of incidents which transpired du-
ring the occupation of the place.
The town, in its government, is controlled
not by the original inhabitants, but by
northern men, scalawags, and negroes, who,
through the ostracism Of the real citizens,
have acquired the power to manage as they
please. Though the people here, as else
where in Tennessee, are grooming under the
oppression and taxation imposed upon them,
yet they are nobly and quietly awaiting the
advent of better day, which they hope Is
not far distant. Notwithstanding all this,
and all we hear, the spirit of the people is
good, and with energy and zeal they are de-
voting themselves to the restoration of their
former prosperity. They are also encoura-
cling and striving to develope the educa-
tional interests of the people.
The Democrats of East Tennessee are re-
spending to the calls of their brethren of
the West, and together they are boldly con-
tending for the cause of right and freedom.
Though Radicals and Union men $50 called)
preponderate chiefly in East Tennessee, yet
a loud cry for Seymour and Blair goes up
throughout this section.
The different denominations have all their
respective churches-eleven in number-in
the town. The Presbyterian, under Rev. T.
II. McCallie, is the largest and best at
tended.
Some new buildings are going and the
town is gradually progressing. From its
peculiar position-partly on q fiat and
partly on high, rugged hills-it will never
become beautiful nor a large place, but
simply what its position and business rela-
tons may make it. We may hope, how
ever, when disenthralled from it's shackles,
in common with the rest of Tennessee, it
may become prosperous and pleasant
place.
Much more in favorable way might be
said of the people and country, identified
as both are with the people of Virginia, and
which, indeed, is not generally understood
nor appreciated by the Virginia people.
find here many familiar names, which
look back to Virginia as the good old mother
State.
Rich lands are Offering here at low
| figures, and settlers are invited.
Peaches in great abundance have been
selling here from twenty-five cents to one dol
lar per bushel. Apples are abundant. So
with other things, and living is very cheap.