Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-06-21

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A Visit 90 the Forts zap the Etssizsippl-A-
what was Seen ana Heard There.-eThe
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Pillow.
Correspondents Of he Morning Bulletin.
OK Board TIE STEAMER ISGoMAR
June 70, 1861
The progress of the war is too tardy for the i'm.
patient soldiery congregated at Fort Wright and
the adjacent Notifications. There is but one senti-
ment felt and expressed among the men, that they
'.must be led against the enemy They are impa-
tent of the monotony of life in Notifications and
when it was stated that eight thousand Lincoln men
had seized Columbus, in Kentucky, there was every
where audible universal "thank God, that swept
along the serried ranks. If the rumor that first
reoched Randolph had not been speediycontradict-
ed, General Sneed would have found It difficult to
restrain his troops Both men and officers lament
ed the possibility of the combined forces OF Tennes
see and Mississippi having the first opportunity of
meeting the Northern army. If the reported attack
and seizure of Columbus had not been speedily con-
tradicted there would have heen strong disposi-
ton manifested to ascend the Mississippi. II the
regiment of cavalry had heard the news, without
the correction which speedily followed, It would
have now been on its way to Columbus but the mes
senger who bore from Fort Wright the news gave
with it at the same time correction OF the story
The Notifications at Fort Wright are very nearly
| complete, though it may happen that additional
works may be thrown up, now that we have more
heavy guns than we will know how to dispose Of
Capt. Bankhead, the accomplished lawyer and
soldier, has command of the heaviest battery at
Fort Wright. His ten guns are 81 and 81 FOUNDERS
besides howitzers and his are like his guns, Of
| huge caliber.
The second in command at Bankhead's battery is
| the eloquent Mr.. Hume, recently from Andy John
| sons domains beyond the mountains. Mr.. Hume
came here to practice law but his eoquence Is now
expended upon brawny set of men, each of whom
selected for his strength, courage and muscular
i developments, is another Peter Francisco IN his
| physical proportions. Oliver Greenaws son is an
officer in this company, which is destined to become
| famous in the annals of war, should 1t be pro
| tracted.
When We were strolling through the encampment,
| we came across John " and Marcus ]. Wright,
both just off duty-both sound asleep one lounge.
made originally for the comfort and convenience OF
one man. The eX-Congressman has a brave, hardy
regiment, who hate Lincoln with that limitless abb
horrence which characterized their leader during
the last Congress of the United States, whose an
nails shall go down to pesterity. Col. Smith was
busily employed with his multifarious duties. lie
is, we believe the senior Colonel at Fort Wright,
and when the tug of war comes will certainly be
the first in the deadly breach, leading his men
on to victory or TO death.
The Notifications above Fort Wright are now
very formidable. We are advised that the Arkan-
sas regiments deem their position already impreg-
nable. Fort Hamilton is also strong position.
The batteries at this point command the river as
perfectly as those at Fort Wright. The guns are
all of the largest calibre. Captain HamiltOn's
Southern Guards are we believe, the oldest com
pany in the service. There are now becoming, IN
der their skillful commander, practical artleists.
The other companies at this post, having more re-
entity been recruiting, are not so cOnversant with
Hsrdees tactics as the Guards" each of whom is
n excellent drill sergeant. We heard of but one
cause of dissatisfaction discussed among these gen
tlemen and this originated in the fact that they
not near enough TO Cairo.
They do not approve of the present condition Of
things by which il is rendered probable that the
army at Union City will be brought into collision
with the "Cairoitesn sooner than those who first
| went into service. While we were at Fort Ham
ilton, one of the m men, awe1 known accountant
IN this city, went out on fOragiDg excursion
with about five dollars belonging to q. joint
stock concern. He had not gone fifty yards
on the opposite shore of the Mississippi when
encounteing a drove Of cattle he was set
upon by a bull The unarmed soldier took
his heels but before he could reach his boat the
ferocous animal had approximated him so clearly
that he assembled tree. The furious beast so
near at hand that the soldier was not feet from
mother EARTH when Taurus planted his horns
against the tree. With knowledge of military
affairs and of the length of furloughs granted
foraging parties, the bull guarded the tree till
nghtfal and then left hero to return after his
leave of absence had transpired to undergo the
horrors of double duty to which he submitted
rather than tell the story of his mishaps
Occurrences like these vary the mOnotony OF
Camp life
We left Fort Hamilton with regret. Its com
mander is not only one of the most accomplished
officers, but agreeable gentlemen in the service. His
soldier are very like their commander.
Before this war has ended :here may be sadder
variations than this which must be recorded of the
brave and generous men who, even before our
worthy Governor, in compliance with the behests
of the Legislature, had issued his proclamation
asking for the services of volunteers, had rushed
to arms in defense of Tennessee and the South. &c
II vii
learn that the idea that their discontinue posi-
BILE entered into their conceptions of the pos
sibilities of the future. If any com nander should
with the present state Of feeling predominant
| among Tennessee troops. under any circumstances
order retreat. he would be destroyed by his own
men, The wish most frequently and strongly ex
pressed is that the may begin in here earnest,
and that they may be led to Cairo.
Tennessee soldiers never rotreated except by the
order Of their commanding officers upon any battle
fed even this has occurred but once in cur couu-
try's history. Maddened as they. now are by the
indignities heaped upon the South, and especially
upon this State, by crazed President and fansti-
cal Administration Of former Government,
Tennesseans will never retire from any conflict,
however unequal in point of Numbers may be its
contestants.
The tireless, sleepless energy of Major General
Pillow will soon place this portion of Tennessee
beyond the reach ef danger. He has equipped and
sent to the field larger army in shorter space OF
time, oficered and perfectly organized, than any
commander of whom We read in modern history.
Our people could hardly be made to believe that
| Federal Administration could eVince such folly
| and wickedness as that betrayed by or former
Government, and hence Tennessee was found I'M
prepared for this contest. Bet what change have
| we witnessed Gen. Pillow has armed and organ
| lied into companies and regiments, and mustered
| into service, mere than twenty thousand men.
| He has supervised everything which pertains to
their comfort and their efficiency, and distributed
them in such manner most certainly to secure
their success in defending the South against inva-
SION The strength of his force which is daily and
| hourly increasing, has been nearly trebled by ac-
| cessions from Mississippi Alabama and Arkansas,
| and after another month has elapsed it would be
worse than folly for any conceivable number of
Northern men to descend the valley of the Missis
| sppi If the armies of the North to be of such
material as that which has been sent to Cairo. Gen.
| Pillow will never require any accession to his
| forces and yet their number is daily and hourly
/ augmented. The negroes are making the crops in
the valley below us while all the farmers and their
sons 90 forth to battle. just so long as the Van
dals of the North do not exceed in point of num-
bers more than five to one, soldiers are ready
| for the battlefield.
| 1t is diff ;ult to write on board steamer with
| half hundred soldiers on board furlOugh, max
ing all manner of noises about therefore, GdOis.
| o.
The Lincoln Organs on the Battle of Beth
| ell Church.
| CHARLEsroN, June IA batch of New York