Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-10

Special to the Ion.y Tie journal
CuR0, 0tlob,r I-Norfolk h43 LOBBY he5n
abandoned he our tTGops, s eTirr ol Genrral
Grant, and very wisely, TOO, Tor ii is a point OF
no importance OF benefit; the occupation of
which yielded only trouble, v~rxation and cx-
pense to the division. It is entirely needless to
station troops at any point ON the river this side
Of Columbus, until that point mas been captured
and occupied hv the Federals. Even Belmont
would be Of little or no avail to MS prior to the
occupation By our forces Of Columbus. as the
place is entirely at the mercy Of the rebel bat
teTirs at Columbus. Until an effective move
ment IS made against the last Hauued place, and
Jeif. Thompsou's force beyond Hunters, IT is
folly to hold the petty little points between, for
they are not worth keeping. The force lately
stationed at Norfolk isnOw at Birds Point, which
consolidates a powerful and effective army.
| learned from a gentleman who returned from
Columbus this morning-having gone there at
the instance Of this command-that the place is
strongly fortified at all points. He states that
at a point three miles miles up tine river from
Columbus there Is @ masked battery erected
from logs, earth, etc, behind which are at leaat
four 6l-p0undeTs, from his observations, which,
from fear of being suspected, was necessarily
limited, He estimates The number Of gums of
various Dimensions planted on the bank OF the
river and the outskirts Of the town to amout TO
trom twenty-five TO thirty pieces, and the force of
men in that vicinity 10 number at least 10000.
al of whom are well AIMED. He further states
that last night, while returning 70 this point in a
mule cart, he Jumped out aud put his ear to the
ground, and, imagining he heard the tramp of
horses, ordered the man in company with him 10
drive INTO tlr brush in order Ia avoid them If
cavalry.) l. was bat q short while until a force
Of at least 300 Confederate cavalry rode bv in
abe direction Of Iafurah. Hr also reports hay
ING discovered "a tHil, over " hich not less Than
1000 horses-supposod 10 he rebel cavalry
passed, also in The Direction OF paducah.
Monday morning. about 3 o'clock. at he mp
pr bridge on Burners Lake. two mikes from
Norfolk, sixteen prTatrs and two c~ornoals OF
company /, 9Th Illinois regiment, under Lieut.
Sheets, was attacked by a force ct seventy men
from JEFF. Ihompson'> camp, under command Of
rebel Col Nmith, il being dark. IS soon as
Lieut.. Sheets heard the tramp of The rebcls strike
the bridge he ordered his mcn 10 fire on them,
upon which, after delivering their fire, ibcy broke
and fed, leaving two killed and several supposed
TO be wounded. Two Of Our men were wounded,
one in the arm and the other in the leg. The
bodies Of the rebels were buried by our men this
morning; one Of them who was not killed
instantly, gave his name rs Robert Strickland,
and sad ne belonged to Capt Payne's company.
Information was received here on Saturday
that q large quantity Of dry goods, boots, shoes,
and other merchandise had been shipped from
IT. Ions to 2 prominent Soeessionist at Charles
ION, and landed at a point twenty miles above
here on the Mississippi, and ON Sunday a force
OF 500 men Of the Goth regiment marched to the
point in time to capture all the goods, which were
taken to Birds Point and delivered iuto the hands
OF the QuarteTmasteT of that post.