Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-10-23
Southern News.

correspondent of the louisville Journal
furnishes that paper with the following intorma-
ton from a gentleman who has just returned
from a trip through the Southern States:
He informs me that the people Of the Southern
States are making extensive preparations to meet
and repel invasion from the Atlantic and the Gulf
coasts.
There are now in the State of Georgia alone no
less than 30 900 men in the service but the State
unable to arm more than half that number.
An extensive foundry for the manufacture of
cannon has been established at Atlanta and large
numbers of heavy field pieces and some siege
guns have already been turned out. Georgia had
sent 1000 troops to Virginia, but when her coast
was seriously threatened she recalled them, offer
ing to substitute 5000 raw recruits. The orig-
nal 5000 were not returned to her, however.
The Gulf States have cannon in abundance, but
are sadly in need of muskets and small arms.
The Bermuda, which ran the blockade, had ar
rived at Savannah, brought over but 6 500 stand
of arms, and not the almost fabulous number ac-
credited to her.
Great preparation is making in North Carolina
to resist the contemplated Federal invasion. 1t
is their design to impress the Government at
Washington with the idea that the Federal troops
can make easy conquest of North Carolina
to inveigle them a considerable distance inland,
and, at the proper time, to pounce upon and an
selves that they have all the preparation made
necessary to entrap the Federals.
The Federal troops have made rapid progress
in the work of fortifying Ship Island. aud now
able to hold it against any force the rebels can
bring against it. Ny informant does not enter
tain a hope that the Federal navy can operate
successfully against New Orleans. He says the
rebel preparations for the defence of the place
are on grand scale, and so formidable as TO
render the city secure against any assault from
any naval force the Government can at present
command
| Great improvements have been made recently
in the means of defense along the Mississippi
river The batteries of small field pieces at first
erected have been exchanged for heavy siege
guns, and many points have been fortified within
a few weeks, which we're until then assailable and
unprotected. They have sent out from Memphis
alone fleet of ten gunboats, which are operat-
ing between that point and Columbus, Kentucky.
The greater portion of the cotton that has
been picked has been retained on the plantations
having been placed in pens, the planters not
possessing the facilities for baing it, and the
brokers in most cases refusing 10 receive it when
/ shipped to them. In this connection find the
following paragraph in the Nashville Union and
American of the 10Th inst:
''It has been stated to on good authority
that some of the planters of North Mississippi
and West Tennessee are sending their cotton to
Memphis; and from variou, other points in the
Confederate States we hear similar statements
This is wrong. greatly wrong. Let our planters
keep their cotton at home; let our cotton factors
refuse to receive il. Accumulation for this arti-
Gle at any given point will only invite an attack
from the enemy. We have no doubt that des-
perate attempt will be made by the enemy for the
purpose of obtaining supply of cotton and the
opening of one of our Southern ports for il
transportation. Let every planter keep his cot
ton on his own plantation, and rather than il
should fall into the hands of the enemy, let him
set fire TO it.
Abiding to the plan of operations on the
Nashville railroad, my informant, who spent q
day at Buckner's headquarters. in the vicinity Of
Bowling Green, says the rebel army will make
no formidable stand north of Green river. Buck
ner would make show of resistance to Genera
McCook's approach. while he would really invite
the advance of his main army beyond that stream
The bridge over Green river has been CAREFUL,
and thoroughly mined, and is ready for the ap
plication of the match OF destruction.