DAILY RICHMOND EXAMINER.


VOL. XIV.--NO. 324.

RICHMOND, SUNDAY MORNING, JAN. 18, 1864.

PRICE TWO CENTS.

 

 

Longstreet Wins Small Victory In Tennessee

 

The New Year of 1864 has begun with a small victory for General James Longstreet   near New Market East Tennessee. On January 14, Union forces under Maj. Gen. John G. Parke advanced on Dandridge, Tennessee, near the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad, forcing General Longstreet's boys to fall back. Longstreet moved additional troops into the area on the following day, January 15, to meet the enemy on his own terms and threaten the Union base at New Market.  General Longstreet deployed some of his men forward, about four miles from Kimbrough’s Crossroads. On January 16, Longstreet’s men that were deployed forward caught sight of Yankee Cavalry riding towards them.  Our boy’s began to scrap with the Federals, identified as Army of the Ohio with Brig. Gen. Samuel D. Sturgis commanding the Corps of Cavalry, intending on riding forward to occupy Kimbrough's Crossroads.  Longstreet’s men fell back in good order towards the crossroads under fire by the Federals. As the Union cavalry neared the crossroads, they were confronted by another of Longstreet’s infantry divisions with artillery that had arrived, as ordered, today but one on January 15.  Our soldiers attacked the Federal horsemen as they approached the crossroads with General Longstreet leading one of General Martin's brigades in the attack presently. The Union cavalry could not dislodge our Confederate forces, which put up a determined fight so fierce that it compelled the Yankee’s to turn and run to Dandridge. At about noon the next day, January 17, Longstreet resolved to attack the Yankee’s where they stood.  The Federals had been alerted that our forces were preparing for an attack thereby were formed up into line of battle when General Longstreet advanced upon the Union line. It was late afternoon when General Longstreet finally advanced whereby the fighting quickly rose to a fury. With Longstreet’s attack mounted so late this January afternoon, the battle would continue until after dark with the Federals undaunted and unbroken occupying the very same battle line as when the fighting started. Under the cover of night, the Yankee’s finally broke and fell back to New Market and Strawberry Plains. Longstreet was unable to press the fleeing Federals, due to lack of cannons, ammunition, and shoes for his soldiers. For the moment, the Union forces have left the area of Dandridge.  General Longstreet could claim a victory, but had failed to destroy the Federal force or capture a single Federal soldier, as he would have liked, but was satisfied with the effort his boy’s had displayed.  The late afternoon’s fight was of little effect militarily, but the effect upon the Confederate troops engaged was unsurpassed.  They had whipped the Yankee and he retreated from Dandridge at a cost to the Federal force of 150 killed.

Closer to home here in Virginia, our boy’s of Texas in winter camp earlier this month, were upon the drill fields in grand style.  With new recruits just arrived, the veterans displayed their marching skill as the new soldiers practiced the manual of arms and how to fire a musket.  First Sergeant Joel Kelley drilled the veterans in formations.  The Texans were a grand sight with spirits high in the bright sunshine and warm air of that early January day as they marched in close order.  Such drilling is a daily routine when fighting is at a lull to keep the men sharp and ready for the spring when the fighting will commence again.   Corporal Stephen Gibbons drilled the new soldiers on another section of the field.  The new soldiers, green and with wonder about their faces, loaded, fired their muskets, reloaded and fired again as Corporal Gibbons gave his lessons to the new boy’s.  “Load in nine times”, Gibbons shouted as his boy’s loaded and fired.  Some of the lovely ladies of Virginia’s higher class were present waiving their handkerchiefs and lifting spirits.  It was indeed a grand day.  The soldiers of our grand Army Of Northern Virginia will be ready for spring’s return of battle.  General Braxton Bragg has been seen in Richmond accompanied by his close friend President Jefferson Davis.  General Bragg arrived in Richmond after being relieved from command of the Army Of Tennessee at year’s end last, being replaced by General Joseph Johnston.  General Bragg is said to be the Presidents next Military Advisor. When this new assignment is to be is a matter for Mr. Davis to decide.  It is with joy that General Bragg be relived from command of armies and placed in administrative quarters where he can be controlled.  Chickamauga is a disgrace that any other man might find complete dismissal from military duties for his part.  Braxton Bragg is not any other man, but friend of the Chief Executive thereby being placed in such quarters as to receive warm comforts and soft beds.  Is it not for such defeatists as General Bragg has hereby proven to be dismissed from service instead of being placed in higher circles where more of his unscrupulous ill founded advice can prosper?  He has no loyal soldier willing to listen save for the President.  The man solely responsible for the unfounded defeat that is Chickamauga now presumed advisor in military matters shall surely find himself or the destruction of our nation may rest upon his blooded hands.

 

Tom R. Grandy

Daily Richmond Examiner