[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Zollicoffer in Kentucky--sick in Hospital — Ruse played at Barboarsville--Tennessee B Society — day of Thanksgiving.
The D and Dumb Asylum, a large building at this place, erected by the State, has been used for several months as a hospital for sick soldiers. A few weeks ago there were about 500; now only 100. Whole number of cases 1,400, of whom 28 have died. It has been under the charge of Dr. Frank A. Ramsey, an able resident physician, aided by assistants.
An officer who was in the skirmish at Barboursville, Kentucky, on September 19th, relates an amusing anecdote of the Colonel commanding our forces in playing a ruse on the enemy. Our cavalry and infantry advanced in a thick fog, and got into an exposed situation. The foe were firing at them from a cornfield and from under a bridge, and our men, unable to see them, had to return the fire at random. At length, Col. Battle, a portly, gray-haired old gentleman, rode forward and cried out, with a terrible oath, ‘"Get out of the way, cavalry and infantry, and let the artillery come forward."’ There was not a single piece of artillery, yet the Lincoln troops, on hearing this order, instantly rose, like a flock of wild geese, and can, when destructive volleys were poured into them.
During a recent tour through portions of East Tennessee, several interesting facts came to my notice. One is, that many strong Union men were converted to the Southern cause by Fremont's proclamation. Another painful fact is, that in some localities Southern men have passed through a terrible ordeal, through fear of violence from the Union ists around them. One gentleman told me that for six weeks he did not sleep on an average two hours a night, and on many nights did not go to bed at all, but sat up to watch and guard his premises.
On last Sabbath evening, Rev. W. C. Johnson, General Agent of the Tennessee Bible society, organized in Nashville in August, addressed a meeting in the First Presbyterian church. An edition of 50,000 copies of the New Testament is being printed by the Methodist Publishing House in that city, for the use of our soldiers. They will be furnished to life members and auxiliaries at 10 cents per copy to other parties t 12 ½ cents. A collection was taken up for the promotion of this specific work.
Allow me to suggest that in every Southern State the Governor appoint a Thanksgiving Day. The Almighty, in bestowing on the Southern people crops of unparalleled richness, has been our best friend, and with fervent gratitude we should pour out our hearts in thanksgiving and praise to His name.
