19th Century Steinbeck Family Papers

emergency, before the completion of the bridge between Corinth and Grand Junction, [trains?] may be forwarded without delay. Communication by railroad with Columbus, Ky., is ex[pected] to be opened in a few days. This we regar[d as] most important work, [for] the Tennessee river is getting so low that in a week or so its navigation will be difficult and dangerous, and will prove an insufficient means for the transportation of army supplies. It is extremely probable, also, that its banks, during the summer, will be infested with guerilla bands, who will find but little difficulty in preying upon the government transports. Hence the importance of a railroad communication between Columbus and [Corinth, Mississippi|[Corinth]]. Eleven locomotives have been captured by General Halleck, four of which are in perfect working order, and the other not so badly damaged that they may easily be repaired. He also captured a large quantity of rolling stock. With a good road to Columbus, well guarded, as it will be, the transportation of supplies to the army will be speedier and more complete than by any other method that has been adopted.—[St. Louis Democrat, 12th.

Memphis Items.

The Glendale steamer left for Cincinnati on the 18th instant. Passengers, one hundred and ten; freight, sixty-three bales cotton. The Silver Moon, of the same line, arrived the same day. The steamer Ben Adams was advertised for Louisville. The Autocrat had arrived with 800 barrels salt, 500 barrels pork, 1500 barrels flour, 1[illegible - ripped] casks and tierced [illegible] hams, and 100 bags of con[illegible - ripped].

We take the following general items from [illegible - ripped] Avalanche: Memphis, we heard it reported yesterday, is likely to become the headquarters for the Western District. This will induce a large addition [to] our population, and still further improve the activity everywhere prevalent on our street.

The Memphis and Charleston Railroad is being repaired, and will soon be in good running order. We did not hear that it would be opened to-day but we presume that is a premature announcement. It will certainly be ready in a few days.

The Red Rover, the hospital steamer of the gunboat fleet, in the storm of Tuesday night, dragged her anchor and drifted against the Cincinnati gunboat, losng her anchor and sustainin[g] other damages. She drifted some half a mile.

There was a dress parade of the 11th Indian[a] Regiment, in front of the Gayoso House, yesterday afternoon. The exhibition attracted a larg[e] concourse, and was cheered by parties upon the balcony.

The telegraph will soon be in operation. We saw the instruments carried into the office yesterday, and will, we learn, be in connection wit[h] St. Louis and Corinth in three days.

The change notes, it seems, were not actua[lly] ordered by the board of Aldermen at their m[eet]ing on Tuesday night. The report of the co[m]mittee, in favor of the [illegible], was agreed to eight to four— but afterwards it concluded wait and let the next board of alderman carry the measure into effect.

Major Smith, of the United States telegraph corps, arrived in this city Tuesday evening, and immediately there was a stir about the telegraph office, indicating a speedy communication with the outside world. Accompanying him was Major Brackett, of the Curtis corps of the United States cavalry.

From Vicksburg.

The Evening Citizen of Saturday gives the following items: There is no news of the fleet from ab[ripped] to day—not even the usual rumors.

Commenced Firing.—At half past twelve o'clock one of the enemy's vessels came up towards our batteries and opened fire. She approached slowly and kept at a good distance. Some six or eight more boats are seen moving up from the point below. Things bid fair for a grand bombardment this evening. As we go to press the firing continues with increasing vigor.

The Mortar Fleet.— We have not learned whether the mortar fleet of Com. Porter has yet joined the squadron below this city. The flo[illegible] was close by yesterday, and was seen off N[ew] Carthage in the forenoon. In the evening it w[as] [illegible - paper folded] mortar boats had reached the fleet.

Warrenton.—A rumor was circulated ysterday that the Federals had landed at Warrenton and were engaged in burning up the village. We have not been able to ascertain whether the [re]port was well founded or not, but suspect that the story may have arisen from the smoke of mortar boats, which was seen some distance low.

Military Execution.—The extreme penalty [of] the law was yesterday enforced upon four un[for-] tunate soldiers who had rendered themselves [illegible]able to the stern decree of military law. Their names were Frederick Judd, N. C. Hughes, [Jeb?] Rowland and Charles A. King.

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We obtain the following interesting i[tems] from the Memphis (Granada) Appeal of the 19[th]

Skirmish at the Tallahatchie.—The advance of the Federals from Holly Springs was, we are pleased to learn, signally checked at the Tallahatchie at an early hour yesterday morning. The advance of the Federals, as they neared the river, encountered the Confederate pickets, where a sharp skirmish ensued, resulting in the repulsion of the enemy. Our loss was one man killed, that of the enemy seven killed and wounded. The forces engaged were a company of Federal cavalary and one of Confederate infantry. [When] the former retreated our men crossed the [illegible - ripped] the main body, when the bridge was d[estroyed].

Our Defences.—While it would [illegible - ripped] proper for us [illegible - ripped]