From Chattanooga.
[from our own Correspondent.] The enemy, since effecting a lodgement in Lookout Valley, has not been idle. He has thrown up defensive works for his infantry and erected batteries on the range of hills which, starting at Brown's Ferry, run up the valley on the west side of Lookout Creek, and divide it nearly in two equal parts. He is still engaged upon these works. The batteries are intended not only to defend the Valley Ferry against assault, but, in conjunction with the Moccasin guns, to sweep the north face of Lookout Mountain. The possession of this mountain is all that is necessary to render the position of the enemy safe and satisfactory, and at the same time it renders our position unsafe and unsatisfactory. Two Federal Captains deserted and came into our lines a few nights ago, who stated that a call had been made for volunteers to storm the mountain, with a promise to the survivors of sixty days furlough. There had been no response to the call up to the time of their departure, and fearing an order would be issued to make the assault any how, the precious cowards (or spies) concluded they would save themselves at the cost of their own infamy. The Federals say, as we learn by the underground railroad, that they will have. Lookout Mountain if they have to dig it down. They have erected a small earthwork, mounting four or five guns, some five hundred yards in advance of their outer line of entrenchments, and just within their picket line. It is in front of the railway depot as one looks southeast towards Missionary Ridge. Other works, have been brought to view recently by the felling of the trees in and around Chattanooga. The demand for firewood has been pressing, and hardly a tree is left in or near the town. Among other works, brought to light are those on Cameron's Hill which is crowned by a formidable battery and ribboned by lines of entrenchments from the bottom to the top. But do not imagine that Gen. Bragg has been idle, or allowed his adversary to do all the work. Since the loss of Lookout Valley he has been giving more of his personal attention to the condition of our lines than formerly. This is very well; for the most faithful officer will be all the more vigilant when he knows that his work will be inspected by his chief. There was hardly a day last winter, when the weather would admit of it, that Gen. Lee did not inspect the whole or some part of his long lines in front of Fredericksburg. There was not a foot of the ground for a distance of five miles or more that he did not know as well as the man whose tent was pitched upon it or the officer whose special duty it was to defend it. Such is the price which genius and patience pay for victory. It is but just to add that Gen. McLaws suggested to his corps commander the importance of fortifying Brown's Ferry, and that an engineer was sent to examine the ground; but the latter reported against the work as unnecessary, and thus the ferry, Lookout Valley, Raccoon Mountain, the railroad, and the river down to Bridgeport, were lost. The engineer is probably of the same opinion still, and, like Dr. Sangrado, would adhere to his theory though the whole army should perish. Affairs in East Tennessee are becoming interesting. A portion of our forces at last accounts were at London, and in view, on the opposite side of the Tennessee, were two Federal regiments, supposed to be the advance guard of the army.--Prisoners report that Burnside's headquarters were five of six miles beyond London, and that his forces were distributed along the river bank to Knoxville. They say their supplies are hauled one hundred and fifty miles to Knoxville, and distributed to the army, and that they are inadequate, at times not exceeding one-fourth the usual, tions. The condition of the prisoners furnished ample evidence of the truthfulness of their report. Rumors prevailed at London that Burnside was retiring towards Cumberland Gap and other passes, in the mountains. If these rumors were without foundation it is not improbable that you will receive stirring news from that quarter in a short time. Our movements have been delayed by the destruction of the railway bridges at Charleston and London by Gen. Buckner when he withdrew from East Tennessee. It seems impossible for a Confederate officer to comprehend the idea that when he burns a railway bridge within our lines he only injures his own friends. The weather continues good. Sallust.
