Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-07-13
rRom rmE sEAr OF WAR IN WIZ

More Rumors-GenerG J0hnStoa's -POsitioa-Baker
the PrivafeerSm0n-The Government Prisoners
The Teras BattaE0n-Refurn Of Ben. Tucker
The HurzbUt Case, etc.
RICHMOND, July 9.
There are several excellent roads leading
into winchester. Advancing along one Of
these, in the direction Of Martinsburg, Genera
Johnston took position on Tuesday last, and
for several days awaited an attack from Pat
@tsrson's forces, who were occupying Martins
burg, distant only seven miles, with a very
large and well appointed force Since Tues
. day everybody has been expecting a battle, bu.
so far the Yankees have seen fit to disapPoint
this lust and reasonable public expectation.
There has been 70 engagement as you were
Informed in my last, since the affair between
The eneuy's advance and Col. Jackson's COM
mand. The enemy in the meantime has re-
ceived considerable reinforcements.
I said Gen. Johnston had advanced to his
position near Martinsburg, by one Of several
good roads radiatiDg to different points Of the
compass, from Winchester. Another Of these
roads, a fine turnpike, extends to Romney in
Hampshire county. The general direction OF
this road is a little to the west Of north. a
third road extends in an e~asterly direction, to-
ward WiiIismsport on the Maryland side Of the
Potomac,oRe Of the poin's at which the enemy's
troops crossed the river. As long as General
Johnston occupied his position near Martins
burg, it was competent for a force Of the enc
my, advancing along either or both the last
named roads, to turn his flank and take pos
session Of Winchester in his rear. They have
a runor (only a rumor) that such an advance,
at a very early day, was already determined
upon by the enemy. 1t was not improbable ;
very few rumors that are set aaoat here are
Improbable. They generally have a wonder
full resemblance to the truth. This one NAV
be true or it may be groundless. But Gen.
Johnston has fallen back upon Winchester.
This you may rely upon. I have information
from a gentleman who saw his column in mo-
ton on Saturday evening. The enemy will
discover his retirement before this shall be
printed. So, I am not %betraying the movement
Of our army in stating the fact. To simply
mention the fact is all that I propose. shall
not undertake to comment upon the maneuYer
in a military aspect. have the fullest conf
dence it was wise and proper. And no mat
ter to me upon what information, or for
what specific purpose be executed the ret
rograde movement, I recognize in its eXecu-
ton the simple fact that be has thereby
materially strengthened his position, and
now commands all the approaches to
Winchester. He has never declined to give
the enemy battle. On the contrary he has
affirm, do so again. He is prepared for the
shock, which will surely come whenever the
enemy advances. A great battle il the vicini-
ty Of Winchester seems inevitable. We shall
not attempt to avoid t.. The date of its oc-
currence will depend mainly upon the move
ments Of the enemy, who can bring it on
whenever be chooses. or the result, rest con-
fdeut.
Ihave no other military movement Of sig
nifcance to report. Everything is quiet, but
it is impossible to escape the conviction that
it is the quiet which precedes the storm. The
dies ire approaches space. We breathe fresr
in the certainty Of its coming. The lurid
iigh5 of its dswning is beginning to chase
away the murky shadows Of suspense and
fear. We almost long to see it pour the full
food or its noontide horrors upon the Land
Even that will be a relief to the agony of sgs-
pense vi have endured.
Two brothers of Baker, the captain OF the
p-ivateer Savannah, recently captured BY the
United States navy, have arrived in the city.
They are said to have intelligence Of The con
vietion OF their brother, and TIE officer next in
command to him, of piracy. The trial, as you
are aware, took place in New York,and wehave
no intelligence of its result. think It rather
unlikely, however, that we should not receive
Information by telegraph, Of a decision Of so
much interest. Be that as it may, Lieut.. Col.
Bowman, Capt. Chase and other prisoners
who have been out upon parole, have been
arrested and placed in close confinement, and
it is said that this act Of sudden and unlocked
for severity upon the part Of our Government
was predicated upon the information received
in regard to Baker. ] do not vouch for the truth
of the reason assigned, but give it for what it
is worth. If the Government has received such
information, it is certainly exercising a very
proper precsutlsn in seeing tia! no possible
avenue Of escape be left to the prisoners in its
hands. It is needless to say, their fate will
depend upon the treatment Baker receives from
the government of the United States.
Hon. Louis T. WigfaT, late United States
Senator from Texas, has been rendered, and
has accepted, the command Of a battalion Of
Texas troops now in this State.
Beverly Tucker, Esq, late consul Of the
United States at Liverpool, reached this city
yesterday. He landed in Canada, and came
by way Of Louisville. His arrival was rather
unexpected, though his return has been looked
for some time.
An attempt was made to procure the release
Of HurIbut, the alleged spy, by proceedings in
the form Of a writ Of habeGs corpus. After a
careful hearing, Judge Meridith decided that
the benefit Of the provisions Of the writ did
not attach to bis case, and be was accordingly
rsmanded to prision. The decision was an
nounced Saturday. VIRGIN1US.