Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-12
ies lodgings in the prisoners quarters 1t cOluu-

pies odgings 10 the prisoners quarters 1t Colum-
bus.
Columbus il still alive with troops and the sound
of the drum s almost constant the rstfling Of
wheels upon the streets Of crowded commercial
city. Every available spot within miles of Column
bus is converted into camp ground, and still every
means Of transportation seems to be employed in
the concentration of "qTGnd dY1es" at this point.
Rumor is rife with reports Of early army moves
ments but it is imp ssihle that they should have
the weight Of authority, being publicly eanvassed
A blow will be struck somewhere very soon with
out doubt and where it is 70 fall the Federals viii
know NOT as soon as they desire, at least as soon
as our commanders wish item to. The recent
brilliant victory at Lexington has filed the army
here, il possible, with greater desire 10 exchange
the camp for the fell and any expedition would be
thought preferable to the monotonous routine Of
camp duty A thorough organization of the army
is being effected fast as the troops STRIVE, and
under the mature experience and proverbia ability
of General Johnston, we expect when we do make
move that it viii be in the right direction, and
effective of the end in contemplation The prestige
Of his name is tower or strength among sodiery
that are proud of their general
Our late reports from Paducah are to the effect
that about seven thousand Federals now occupy
that point and are rapidly intrenehing themselves
besind formidable breastworks, which is rendering
our early occupation OF the place more and more q
matter Of necessity every day. OF the seven thoUs
and it is said that about fifteen hundred are in the
hospital and the commandant Of the post has thought
it necessary to make acquisitions on Anderson and
Fremont for large reinfOrcements to secure him in
possession. From the condition of things in the
commands controlled by these two representatives
of the Lincoln desPotism, it is not likely the requ-
sitons will meet with any response, and the forces
at Padueah may very soon have occasion to put to
practical use the bridge Of boats which they have
thrown across the Ohio at that point
Things at Cairo still in stGt quo the place be-
ing fully gsrrisoned the troops that formerly occu
pied the place being needed, in the estimation of
Gen. Fremont, for the protection of St. Louis from
the encroachments of Thompson, Price and McCul-
loch. For this reason Birds Point and St. Geneveve
are being almost deserted by Lincoln's hirelings.
At this point we have had little of exciting
nature since my last with the exception of little
harmless exchange of military eivilities between
two of Lncolns gunbOats and the batteries at this
scouting up the river, and about eeven O'Clock was
seen to turn the point above town apparently in
something of hurry, which created no surprise,
when soon after the gunboats made the same point
in hot pursuit No sooner had they made their ap-
pearance, however, than a report from our battery
arrested her course and turning her broadside,
one of the marine monsters playing second fiddle to
our leader in tones more loud than melodious. In
stantly the whole town and army was astir. The
civilians to see what was going on, and soldiers to
prepare for whatever occasion might arise. The
c4nnonsding was kept up for some twenty five min
utes, the boats tarowing one shell within about
three hundred yards short of the battery. while t
is thought that st least two of balls hit one Of
the DO t. The only injury sustained our side
was the demoishing Of every pane of glass in Gen.
ks headquarters by the conclusion caused by
the firing of our heavy guns.