--A gentleman just from
Knoxville, Tenn, says that a difficulty occurred in
Nashville during the early part of the past week between
Gen. Don Carlos Buell, commander of the
Yankee army of the West, and
Andy Johnson,
Lincoln's
Provisional Governor of
Tennessee.
The quarrel grew out of a difference of opinion between these two distinguished Lincolnites as to the policy of the
Federals evacuating
Nashville at present.
Buell contended that it was a ‘"military necessity,"’ and, flanked as he was, east and west, with
Gen. Bragg's army to the north of him, and the
Confederates also holding
Chattanooga and
Murfreesboro' to the south, it was impossible for him to hold
Nashville and subsist his army.
Johnson replied that, not withstanding the reasons alleged by
Buell, the place must not be evacuated; and if it was he should certainly blow up the
Capitol building before he made his way out of the city.
Buell rejoined by stating that he would cause
Johnson to he shot if he dared destroy the
Capital.
Whereupon
Johnson remarked that
Buell was a d — d scoundrel.
This was an insult that the
Federal General felt himself bound to resent, which he did by knocking
Johnson down, jumping upon him, and giving him a very sound beating.
Johnson's face is said to have been very badly bruised.
At last accounts
Johnson had fled the place, and
Buell endeavored to follow the
Governor's example, but finding that
Geo. Bragg was too quick for him, and had placed his powerful army between the
Cumberland and
Gallatin, retraced his steps and re-entered
Nashville.
Here he will probably remain until forced to surrender for lack of supplies.
This intelligence was brought to
Knoxville on Sunday last by a gentleman who had escaped from
Nashville.
