Still Frightened at Louisville.
--A correspondent of the Louisville
Journal, writing from
Frankfort, Ky., gives the following exaggerated account of volunteering for the
Federal army in
Kentucky, and at the same time exhibits his apprehension for the safety of
Louisville.
He says:
‘
The previous estimates of the number of soldiers furnished by our State for the war, as presented to the readers of the
Journal, are substantially correct.
There were in camp up to November 8th, as reported to the Military Board, 17,200 recruits; four regiments, aggregating 4,000, at
Camp Dick Robinson; 2,000 men with
Gen. Roussean, and the
Louisville Provost Marshal's force of 500--in all 23,700 men in the
State.
To these should be added 1,000 in the two regiments now in
Western Virginia; 1,000 enlisted in other States, and about 300 for the regular army at Newport Barracks.
This gives a total of 26,000 now ready.
There are forty-three fractional regiments in process of formation, and by consolidation about twenty full regiments will be furnished this week, and I have no doubt, that as soon as the contractors send forward supplies of clothing, and arms can be procured, ten or twelve more regiments will be easily raised.
I think that the public interest and the defence of the
State will be best promoted by the prompt consolidation of all the forces now mustered into service.
Some regimental officers will be disappointed in obtaining commands, but it is all important that the greatest available strength of the
State should be at once placed in the field for the protection of
Louisville and other frontier towns on the
Ohio river.
There is no doubt that Puckner is burning with anxiety to possess himself of our city and quarter his vagabond hordes in our comfortable homes for the winter.
Self interest and protection from the severity of the season are not alone the stimulants to this movement; there is a most vindictive and demoniac malice felt towards
Louisville for its loyalty; and, although its occupation would involve its ultimate destruction, they would not hesitate to take it, if they possibly could, for by the destruction of the canal around the falls, which wanton act they would not hesitate to commit, all intercourse between the loyal States above our city and those below the falls would be arrested.
There are many property owners and capitalists in
Louisville who still sympathize with the rebel cause, when its success in seizing
Louisville would doom the city, as surely as was
Carthage under the inexorable flat of its conquerer.
Our city once in the hands of
Buckner,
Polk, or
Zollicoffer, would be speedily assailed by the
Federal forces from hundreds of frowning batteries on the indianna side, and not one brick would be left standing on another where now spacious stores, happy homes, the temples of God and of Justice are located.
These things should be considered deeply.
A rebel success in capturing
Louisville seals its fate and passes the plow over its site; the assets of the city pledged for the redemption of its bonds would be valueless.
’
