The War in the West.
The
Memphis papers, as late as March 4th came through on Friday evening And from them, and other sources, we make up the following summary:
The evacuation of Columbus.
The Memphis
Appeal, alluding to the withdrawal of our forces from
Columbus, says:
‘
This movement has been executed in a manner that reflects great credit upon the commander who planned and supervised it. It was one of those military necessities which cannot be appreciated as readily by those unacquainted with the situation.
We are advised that the new position is considered by
Gen. Beauregard as much more impregnable, comparatively, than
Columbus, inasmuch as a frank movement cannot be made against it with such facility.
We look on
Memphis and the
Mississippi Valley he safer to-day than they were two weeks ago.
’
Gen. Jeff. Thompson, who left New Madrid, Saturday on a scouting expedition with about a hundred cavalry, had a sharp skirmish with the enemy's cavalry in considerable force, about five miles above that place, He was hemmed in by them and was forced to way through as best be could.
He is said to have sustained a loss of six men captured, and reported that he killed and wounded from twenty five to thirty of the enemy.
The ‘"Swamp
Fox"’ also lost his has, which is alleged to have been shot off by a well directed Minnie ball.
Upon reaching New Madrid he was immediately rein forced, and in company with two regiments of infantry and went out to harass the advantage of the Hessians upon their approaches.
The Memphis
Avalanche says:
‘
On Saturday evening, when
Gen. Thompson returned from his engagement with the
Federal cavalry, an alarm-gun was fired, and the
Federal were believed to be advancing.--Immediately several regiments of infantry were sent out to harass the advance of the
Federal--then reported five miles off. The main body of the
Federal army, supposed to be twenty thousand strong, were reported thirty miles off. It is improbable, therefore, that much fighting has resulted yet.
’
The Mississippi Valley.
We have reason to know that the people of the
Mississippi Valley are determined that the foot of the invader shall not pollute our fair city.
They realize that the fall of
Memphis would be the death of the
Confederacy, and hence they are rallying to the rescue with a zeal and enthusiasm that will ensure a certain triumph.
Every day — almost every hour — reinforcements are coming forward, and all that remains for our people is to ‘ "possess their souls in peace,"’ end cherish a cheerful and resolute spirit, and all will undoubtedly work out right, and for the triumph of our cause.
Patriotic Examples.
A Memphis paper of the 3d says:
‘
Yesterday
Capt. Moses J. Wicks had his men sworn into the army for the war. He performed a most commendable act, one which we record with high satisfaction as a journalist, and with pride as his friends.
He presented each member as sworn in with a check for 300 dollars.
’
The same paper has the following encouraging statement:
We have learned from a friend, who has just returned from a tour through the
State of Arkansas, that the people in that region of country are all alive to the interests of the
Confederacy; that in the town of
Madison, county of
St. Francis, several wealthy gentlemen, whose income amounts to over ten thousand dollars per year, pledged the entire sum to the support of the families of soldiers who would volunteer and fight for the Southern Confederacy.
And we learn, further, that every man is volunteering, and that old
Arkansas will roll up twenty-five or thirty thousand new recruits for the war. Three cheers for old
Arkansas!.
Gen. Pillow has addressed a note to the Memphis
Avalanche, in reply to some strictures in that journal in regard to some allusions, in his late speech and report, to
Gen. Buckner.
He claims that his report is a truthful history of the battles as he saw them — denies that there is any issue of fact between
Gen. Buckner and himself, and disclaims any unkind feeling towards that gallant officer.
‘"On the contrary," ’ he says, ‘"our personal and official intercourse has been, and was to the last moment, courteous and kind."’
Notwithstanding the assurances given by the
Yankees, (says the Knoxville
Register,) on their arrival in
Nashville, that peaceable citizens should not be molested, nor private property or personal rights be interfered with, it is reported by persons just from that vicinity, that they have already violated these pledges by arresting
Hon. Nell S. Brown,
Senator Barrow, and other, prominent citizens.
The despotic edict has been promulgated that no one must speak disparagingly of
Lincoln or his policy, or favorably of
Jeff. Davis.
All who do are to be regarded as traitors.
‘"Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind."’
The Yankee newspapers have reported that the
Federal forces have taken possession of
Cumberland Gap; but the Knoxville
Register has information through a courier that everything was quiet at that place.
The recent demonstration by the Federalists, who have six regiments at Cumberland Ford, was merely a feint, it is supposed, to direct attention from the movements of
General Shoepf, who is making preparations to advance through
Big Creek Gap.
General Thomas's command has gone to
Bowling Green.
Fayetteville, Arkansas, recently burned by
Gen. McCulloch, is situated in the northwest corner of the
State of Arkansas, west of
Boston mountain, about thirty miles from the
Missouri line, on the
St. Louis and
California road.
It is over two hundred miles from Little Sock.
Fayetteville had a population of about twelve hundred, and most of its citizens are in the army.
