From Kentucky.
[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.] Bowling Green, Ky., Jan. 17, 1862.
The middle of January has passed, and no great battle fought on the line of Nashville.
From fear, policy, or a desire to consume time, the Federal General in command of the Department of the Cumberland, fails to make his long-talked-of attack.
One would most reasonably suppose that, having completed his bridge across Green river, and tested its strength by sending over several trains heavily ladened, Buell could now find it consistent with a due sense of prudence and generalship to order an immediate advance, and precipitate his legions upon the wicked rebels at Bowling Green.
But he is possessed of no disposition to plunge, like Cœsar, this modern Rubicon, for feat he will be bagged, and ‘"free no more."’ Some of the long tongued correspondents of the Cincinnati papers have started the absurd story of a great plan by which Buell thinks he can surround us, and force us either to fight or fall back.
You may set it down as a thing indisputable that the Federal forces will not be materially divided for such a movement as this.
It is as much as General Buell can do to maintain his present locus standi. Crittenden remains at Calhoun by sufferance.
General Johnston could send small detachment of his great army any day and capture the last man he has. A Kentuckian, who evaded his pickets last week, has arrived here, and reports his troops in wretched health and becoming less disposed every day to continue the hirelings of Abe Lincoln.
Indeed, we have a practical illustration of the disaffection existing among Crittenden's forces in the frequent arrivals of squads at this place.
This same gentleman brings most encouraging news of a healthy reaction in several counties in Kentucky. In Davis county he assures me that there is a majority of five hundred for the South.
In Hancock the same In McLane, where Crittenden is, there is a small Union majority.
In Ohio county, which has been altogether Union, the majority is now insignificant.
In Henderson the South has five hundred majority.
In Breckinridge the friends of the South exceed the friends of Lincoln.
The difference between the Kentuckians fighting for the South and those who have taken up arms for the Washington despotism, cannot be more clearly illustrated than by referring to the combat at Sacramento.
One hundred and fifty Southern Kentuckians were opposed to three hundred and fifty Northern Kentuckians.
The result was that after an hour's hard fighting the latter were utterly routed with a loss, in killed, of one hundred ! This shows us the kind of men who are battling for the South.
The Kentuckians enlisted against us are represented as the low, the vulgar, and the ignorant, while the men of intelligence, of bravery, and of means, are generally on our side.
The change in the tone of the Louisville Journal provokes considerable comment in Bowling Green.
Some persons profess to perceive in it a good omen for the Southern cause.
Others, distrustful of Prentice, ascribe his attacks on the Lincoln Administration to quite a different motive.
This may be regarded as the most rational interpretation of the recent course of the Journal. Prentice is shrewd enough to know that the doctrines of Lincoln's last message, and the views of Cameron put forth at the same time, in respect to slavery, are not as palarable in Kentucky as he could wish, and he adopts a line of policy which will propitiate public sentiment.
By praising the Administration one day and censuring it the next, he hopes to run with the hare and keep with the hounds.
He thus intends to bring the people of Kentucky, as far as he is able, gradually to approve, the policy of Lincoln — to seem to be opposed, but finally to adopt as a necessity the whole abolition programme.
It cannot be doubted that Prentice is mean enough, and, if the people of Kentucky do not open their eyes, sharp enough to practice this deep same of duplicity upon them.
Yankee as he is, his very soul would exult in the consummation of this dishonest scheme.
The only piece of information which I am allowed to communicate, in reference to recent movements of our army, is the fact that General Hindman has burned all the railroad stations, between Bell Station and Woodsonville, the scene of the late fight, in which Col. Terry was killed, and torn up the track.
The railroad from Bowling Green to Bell Station is used by General Johnston for transportation of men and army supplies.
I saw to-day, the Texan Ranger who shot the Yankee who killed Col. Terry.
He was a bold looking fellow, and seemed to enjoy the reputation, which killing the murderer of a beloved officer has given him.
The weather for several days has been exceedingly cold.
We had a slight snow on Monday, and has been raining since.--Bowling Green is the synonym of mud, and the vast amount of hauling will not make the streets any firmer.
Camp life is no pastime.
The members of the 56th cough, and cough, and cough.
Occasional. 