| From the Richmond Daily Dispatch |
| |
| November 13, 1861 |
| |
| From East Tennessee |
| Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 12 |
| Five railroad bridges were
burnt in East Tennessee on Fridaynight last by the Union men. Two of
these were on the Georgia State Road {Western
& Atlantic RR}, over Chicamoga creek, in
Hamilton county; one on the East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad, over
the Hiwassee river, in Bradley county. Five minutes after the guard
passed through the latter bridge the structure was in flames, clearly
showing that some rapid combustible material was used. Two of the
bridges on the East Tennessee & Virginia Railways
were destroyed--one bridge was over Lick creek, in Greene county, and
another over the Holston river, in Sullivan county. The guard at Lick
creek were unarmed and overwhelmed, and were tied and carried away,
and kept off until some time during the day on Saturday. Three men
have been arrested whom the guard identified. |
| The bridge over the Holston
river was not guarded, as Sullivan county is known to be strongly in
favor of the Confederate Government. |
| The bridge over the Holston
river at Strawberry Plains, in Jefferson county, was set on fire, but
the fire was put out by the people. The guard had one hand cut off and
his skull fractured. |
| The indications are that one of
the incendiaries was killed. |
| A gentleman, just from East
Tennessee, reports that great excitement prevails there, in
consequence of the evidently preconcerted plan, which these
bridge-burnings evince, to destroy property and prevent supplies from
passing on to our army. The loss is heavy, and will cause much
inconvenience and delay. |
| Matters in East Tennessee are
regarded as in a critical condition, and much anxiety is felt there
for Gen. Zollicoffer and his forces. |
|