From East Tennessee. The Knoxville correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, writing under date of the 22d says:

Our entire force crossed the Holston at Strawberry Plains and fell back to a new position. Our loss of stores at Strawberry Plains was quite severe. Several caissons were blown up. About two hundred stragglers were picked up by the rebels. After crossing the Holston, our troops burn the bridge and everything else likely to fall into the hands of the enemy, including a considerable amount of clothing.

On the 22d the rebels and our sharpshooters were skirmishing across the river six miles above Knoxville.

The movements of the enemy are not clearly understood. It is supposed that Longstreet will besiege Knoxville, and our men have been put to wo[r]k on the fortifications and new batteries put into position. Longstreet has a strong and well-fortified post at Bull's Gap, whence he can throw his forces into the valley on either side with great facility. Matters will not remain long in their present condition.

Source:

Lowell (MA) Daily Citizen and News, Saturday, January 30, 1864