The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-10-23

It is strongly fortified and well garrisoned
! and commands not only the Ohio and
} | Tennessee rivers, but the adjacent coun-
! try for many miles around.
The timber in the vicinity of the town
has been feled and the branches trimmed
and sharpened so as to render nn APP
proach of the enemy almost impossible.
/ The Marine Hospital has been convert
ed into fort, and is being surrounded
1 by heavy breastworks, with substantial
frame work of green logs, and would, in
case of an attack, become most formid-
able engine of destruction to the enemy.
The river is spanned at this point by a
"bridgs of boats" which constitutes n
substantial thoroughfare for the transit of
troops and army stores.
Gen. Smith, who is first in command
here, could, in case of an invasion, call
to hi aid in less than one hour from IL
to $4,000 troops
There are two gun boats here. One of
them went 10 miles up the Tennessee
river, three days ago, without Interrupt
ton, when she encountered line of bat
teries, on each side of the river, more than
half mile long. After accommodating
the position of the enemy she returned,
but has gone up again, most likely TO OBJ
tain nearer view, or try the strength OF
their Notifications.
The enemy has some good guns. One
of the gunboats sent down from Cairo
few days ago, encountered new battery
| 20 miles below that place, and before her
guns were in range shot from the enc
my passed over her and fell in the water
almost half mile beyond her, and a
shell exploded high above her Deeming
prudence the better part of valor," she
retreatcd, without damage to herself or
injury to the enemy
The secession element is very strong
here, and had developed itself to that ex-
tent, before the Union forces were thrown
in, that life and property were insecure.
Many Of the Union citizens have been
driven out, and perfect reign of terror
prevailed
When our troops first occupied the
town they were treated with contempt and
nsolence, but little circumstance trans
pired a few days after their arrival, that
settled efeetually the secession howl and
rid the city Of the most prominet and
rampant disunionisis An accidental dis
charge of q cannon from one Of the gun
boats, which took effect In vacant brick
building and riddlei it considerably,
threw the city into fever of excitement,
aud the afirghted inhabitants, although
assured and treasured that it was an acci-
dental shot and would not be repeated,
fled in every direction, running as if for
dear life. There are great many scces-
sionists here, but they are mute.
A short time ago one Of the pickets was
fired upon By "bush whacker" Imme
medately the whole country was secured
for twenty miles around by our scouts,
since which time no act of violence has
been committed.
The health of the troops here is very
good. The general hospital has been re-
moved from the Marine Hospital to the
Court House The bedsteads of the Ma
rlnc Hospital are used for the sick, and
are much more comfortable than army
cots. There are only AZ patients in the
general hospital, and Judging from APP
pearances, they are well nursed and cared
| for. The female nurses are all Sisters of
/ Charity and seem to be efficient and atten-
| tive.
The headquarters of this division of
tbs army is beautiful residence formerly
occupied by ssecesh,' but he left some
time ago for 'Dixics Land" and has not
since been heard from, and our command.
ers have occupied his quarters with the
generous intention of keeping house for
him until his return, and they are having
a pretty good time Of it.
There are a great many vacant houses
here, but general order viii be issued
requesting citizens to return and pcaceably
occupy them, but if they fail to do SO,
within given time, they will be used as
barracks.
This division of the army is controlled
with unusual vigor, and the place is per-