Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-09-20
AFFAIRs AZ

GRAND JUNCTION. GlpEs ASt 4OoA-
ED1ross APPEAL: Having just returned
from our military camps at Columbus and
near that place, by your permission will oct
for the APPEAL Eomething Of what and who
saw while up there. I spent several days in
the various camps, two Of which was in siis-
souri,, whittier had accompanied the 4th regi-
msnt, under Col. R P. Nicely, whose regiment
was ordered tie second time to the support Of
the indefa'igable, the indomitable and heroic
Thompson. Allow NE to SAY, sirs, that ! have
no language Of sufficient import to convey to
your readers an idea of the high estimate in
which this brave and daring hero is universal
ly held in camp.
Gen. JEFF. Thompson is never sill, but on
tbe ga rice both night and day. It is here,
and then yonder, be may be seen from "earlY
dawn till dswy eye"-in fact, the general
sentiment is that he never sleeps at all; and
yet it is hard to conceive Of such a being. I
saw him passing to ard fro, during the two
days IsPent on the Missouri shore, alone, save,
perhaps, with one or two subordiuates, who
sometimes accompanied him when his expedi-
tions extended several miles up the river. Ia
person Gen. JEFF. Thompson is quite a snail
man, very thin Visaged, With an eye as pene-
tratiag as the glisteaing diamond. l never
saw a man more anxious to fight than JEFF.
Thompson is to get at the Lincolnites. OF his
engagement with the Lincoln gun-bosts asrlY
last week, you have already Published an ae-
count,
Since that time every strategy has been re-
sorted to BY Gen. THOMPSON to get them into a
similar engagement, but up TO toe time Of my
departure bis efforts had been sbortive. They
knew too well that Thompson bad not been
asleep. he will, however, at an early day,
force them into battle. His plans are fully
laid, and, deTend upon it, be will give Us cheer
lag news soon. The liberal contributions now
being msdsFor the benefit Of JEFF, ThomPsol's
men are most praisewortby, and will be re-
eeived by grateful hearts. I was surprised TO
see SO much enthusiasm among his len, and
vet not so much so after seeing TIE brave com
mander. Let Us go on in this good work. The
old Missouri shot gun and family rife will yet
richly compensate US for our liberal donations.
But l must not trespass upon yeuE space,
and will now mention taat / bad the pleasure
on Saturday evening last Of seeing one Of Lin
coins gunbosts Fastening back toward Cairo,
after spying around and being fired into By
one Of our batteries, now planted above Column
bus We hear since that the shot took effect
and that she sunk before getting to Cairo.
The health of our boys in camp is improving,
but quite a number are yet feeble and unable
to bear arms. The weather Of the past few
days has been too warm for those already
feeble, but win soon, doubtless, be cooler,when
the health Of the sick will be restored. The
many vacant houses in Columbus offer fine &C.
cOumodstiOns for the sick, and ! have the
pleasure Of bearing witness to the good care
and attention of the surgeons to their sick.
Ny two days. observations in the camp Of
the Alb regiment, in Missouri, under Col.
Nesly, gave me an opportunity Of judging as
to the spirit Of Col. Nicely and bis men. Al
though the colonel ard his men were expecting
the coming down Of the gsnboats every mo-
ment, | never saw or heard the least intima-
ton of fear exhibited by any member Of that
regiment On The contrary, each and every one
was anxious for the approach of the enemy.
1 remember many very ludicrous expressions
used in reference to the cowardiee Of the Lin
~colnites. Oae was, that the Ljncolnites bad
/" gone into their hole, and pulledthe bole after
them.~ In short, spent the two days most
pleasantly in the eneanpment Of the " Pillow
Guards" under that gentlemanIy and popular
captain, James r. Fentress.s
Yours truly, n. r. P.