Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
troops pouring in — Affairs in East Tennessee
Abingdon, July 23d, 1861.
Our trains from the West are daily crowded with troops; to-day, two large companies, from New Orleans and Georgia, well armed, passed over the road, eager for a bead on the Yankees.
Our camp (Fulkerson) is now alive with about one thousand of the finest looking soldiers you over saw, and still pouring in from the adjoining counties.
It is needless to say they are brave, and anxious for the smell of Yankee gunpowder; but are prevented by the tremendous crowds of Southern soldiers passing on every available train on the road.
There are two thousand more at Bristol to get on to-morrow, reporting large numbers all along the road West of that point, destined for the seat of war. East Tennessee is reported in quite easy circumstances, and daily the spirit of rebellion is losing ground.
Could the vile traitor, toady Johnson know of the recent changes in East Tennessee, he never would risk his neck again where he, but a few days ago, had many friends.
The current is changed, and volunteer companies are organizing.
Willie.
