Jan. 20, 1864.
. . . After I wrote you last night, we received a despatch
from General Foster at Knoxville, stating that General Longstreet had advanced
in heavy force against him and that he was falling back on Knoxville, where he
might have to stand a siege. That Longstreet will again lay siege to that
place, I can scarcely believe, for he certainly cannot do so with any
reasonable hope of success, enabled as we are to move a much superior force
from Chattanooga, to the relief of Foster, with the river to supply it most of
the way. It is more probable, to my mind, that he has simply advanced to extend
his foraging ground and limit ours, and however well we have determined his
designs, in the meantime we must be prepared for any emergency. This news has prevented
General Grant from going to St. Louis for the present, and he, General Smith
(Baldy), and I go forward to Chattanooga to-morrow to look after affairs at
Knoxville. We may possibly have to go to Knoxville, but I hope we may be able
to put things into shape without having to go so far. The great question is
that of supplies, which is always one of difficulty with an army far advanced
in the enemy's country.
SOURCE: James H. Wilson, The Life of John A. Rawlins,
p. 386-7
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