The Daily Dispatch

Richmond Dispatch.

FRIDAY MORNING.........JAN. 24, 1862

The Defeat in Kentucky--Let it Rouse the South from its Lethargy:

The defeat which we have sustained in Kentucky is a misfortune to be deplored; but which may be repaired, and, indeed, improved to our advantage. The particulars of the battle are as yet too meagre to warrant a safe conclusion as to its causes. It seems that our army, under command of Major-General Crittenden, attended by Brigadier-General Zollicoffer, marched forth from its entrenchments and attacked the enemy fortified in a strong position on the other side of a stream of water. The fight seems to have been severe for some time, the enemy acknowledging seventy. five killed in a single one of his regiments. But at an evil moment General Zollicoffer was shot down, and then our forces lost all confidence, fell into disorder, and fled. It is quite plain that they relied upon General Zollicoffer in the fight, and that when he fell they would put no trust in his superior in command, General Crittenden, and gave up the contest.

The report is, that Gen. Crittenden was in full retreat on the road leading to Knoxville, Tennessee, distant a hundred miles by road from Somerset: and the inference cannot be avoided that his army was much disorganized and incapable of a bold stand against the enemy. The Government here will doubtless take prompt steps to reinforce the retreating army with regiments to form a nucleus for rally, and with a few batteries to make good a stand in the passes that occur so frequently along the road to Knoxville. A few artillery guns or two competent engineer officers, and another Brigadier-General in whom the troops have confidence, will at once put our affairs in that quarter again on their legs.

The only serious danger resulting from this defeat is the possibility that the enemy may be able to reach the railroad at some point near Knoxville, and cut off our communications with the Mississippi Valley. The imminence of this danger is fully appreciated by the Confederate authorities, and the exigency will be promptly met by the proper measures.

There is little danger of any immediate advance of the enemy in the direction of Cumberland Gap, which is a hundred miles from Somerset; and if he should undertake such an advance, we have force there strong enough, with the aid of the formidable fortifications guarding its passes, to keep an army at bay The real danger is of his advance along the route of our own discomfited army, and of his reaching the railroad in the neighborhood of Knoxville; but this danger may be very easily guarded against

Unfortunate as this defeat is at this juncture, it may result in great advantage to our cause. An alarming spirit of apathy had taken possession of our people, and to some extent had begun to characterize the action of the Government. We were not devoting ourselves to the great business of this war like men in earnest. The only thing that could have occurred to rouse us all to our duty was just such a disaster as this in Kentucky. Fortunately, it has occurred at a distance from any vital point, affording time to prepare against evil results that may come from it, and, if it but arouse all to their whole duty, it will really prove a godsend to us at a most critical period of this struggle.