The
Chattanooga Rebel, of the 27th ultimo, says: "There are rumor from the front to the effect that
Rosecrans has been massing large reinforcements, just through from
Kentucky, in the counties of
Sumner and
Wilson.
If this be true, his intention is to advance, when the roads permit, not directly upon our forces at
Shelbyville, but upon
Tullahoma by way of
Manchester and
McMinnville.
The troops stationed at
Nashville will probably make a faint upon
Shelbyville, but no absolute assault is expected from that side of the enemy's line.
The entire strength of the army in
Murfreesboro' is estimated at fifty thousand.
Our reliable reports from the
Northern portion of the
State represent the reinforcements to consist of three divisions, each not less than ten thousand strong.
The division of
Jeff C. Davis, with
Johnson's cavalry, stationed in
Williamson county, are put down at twelve thousand.
The forces at
Nashville do not exceed ten thousand.
Thus the entire body of troops, composing the Department of
Rosecrans reach nearly the figures of one hundred thousand.
Of these at least a fourth are unable for duty.--Setting apart twenty thousand more for garrison duty, and the available army to be brought against us will not come for wrong of sixty thousand, less than were engaged and in reach of the battle before
Murfreesboro'.