Interesting from Mississippi--the movement against Mobile.
The Meridian (Miss.) Clorian, of the 9th inst., says: ‘ The enemy is steadily advancing, and policy has thus far prompted us to retire before them. Saturday they crossed Pearl river from Jackson, and Sunday night found them at Spear's Cut. Monday evening they reached the vicinity of Morton, where the advance of both armies skirmished sharply for few minutes. Our army was formed in line of battle about one mile east of Morton, but the enemy made no advance up to the time our army withdrew, which was during the early part on Monday night. The enemy's force is ascertained to consist of thirty thousand infantry, twelve thousand cavalry, and sixty two pieces of artillery.--its destination is undoubtedly Mobile, while a part may, if not checked, attempt to break our railroad communication, which, if successful, will aid them materially in their advance on Mobile. ’ Gen. Lee returned to Jackson on Sunday night, and there is no doubt are this he is on the wing east of Pearl river. The Yankees, we hear, are committing all sorts of atrocities — sparing neither age, nor sex, nor condition. They have nearly destroyed Jackson by fire. It was also so at Brandon and Clinton, both of which to was are said to be in ruins. We hear of some atrocious acts, premeditated and accomplished, which we shall not give expression to. The Mobile Tribune, of the 10th, says: ‘ We have certain news that the enemy was at Morton yesterday (Tuesday) in heavy force of infantry and artillery. Brandon is about fourteen miles from Jackson, and Morton about twenty five, on the Southern Railroad, whose terminus is Meridian, and which is about ninety five miles from Jackson. Enterprise is about fourteen miles this side of Meridian. Whether the enemy is marching from Morton towards Meridian or Enterprise, or towards some point lower down on the railroad, is not known to us. It is probable that he is aiming for the Bigbee river. ’ Of this, however, we know nothing. It is only certain that one of the chief objects of his movements in the capture of this city; and although he has not yet got it, yet, as we have repeatedly urged on our readers, it is the duty of the citizens to prepare for the worst — to consider it as an unquestionable fact that they are likely to be subjected to the horrors of an attack, which will be full of danger to every one of them — for the city will be defended to the fast. We make this preface to the following note from Major General Mamy. What he merely advises, he may be obliged to enforce by a formal order within a few days:I have just been informed by General Polk that the enemy is moving from Morton against Mobile. It is, therefore, my duty to ask all persons who cannot take part in the defence of the city to leave it."
The Mobile Advertiser of the 12th, says: ‘ Reports from above are in some respects conflicting, and are, as yet, too indefinite to base a satisfactory judgment upon. Major Fleming, of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, who returned to the city at a late hour last night from Meridian, states that the enemy divided their forces at or near Morton. The main body deflecting to the right and taking the direction of Mobile, the other column bearing to the left, and pursuing the route of the retiring forces of Gen. Polk. ’ There had been no fighting of moment yet, the Yankees appearing desirous to avoid a fight, but Lee and Forrest were busy in the rear. They were marching rapidly, with their front and rear protected by their cavalry, and in Mr. Fleming's Judgment, would strike the Mobile and Ohio road in the vicinity of Shubuta, or perhaps Enterprise which point they might reach by this evening or to night. Gen. Polk, with Forney's and French's divisions, was west of Meridian, near the Chankey river, to dispute their progress in that quarter, while a large force is being rapidly transported down the road to meet any threatened movement in this direction. Some of the prisoners captured from the enemy have on their hats the profane motto, Mobile or Hell." One account says the Yankees were at Benton, yesterday, while another reports the place in our possession. The rumor of their appearance at Paulding and Garlandsville is pronounced incorrect. At the hour of going to press the telegraph was working uninterruptedly to Meridian, and all points on the Mobile and Ohio railroad, but we could learn nothing later than the reports above given.
