The Daily Dispatch: March 5, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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The Situation in Middle Tennessee.

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'.