The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-06-28
Interesting form Memphis.

Highly Interesting form Memphis.
We had yesterday the pleasure oI
an interview with Mr. John s.
Collins, a con of the we'll known
Methodist Clergymen. now decens-
ed, Rev. John A. Collins, Of Balti.
more, who has just escaped from the
Memphis Jail, alter confinement,
of two months, for the off nee OF
loving his country and adhering to
his allegiance. In regard to his own
case, We learn that his Union septi.
ments led to the suspicion that he
was the author OF letter in the New
York Tribune, from Memphis, Civ
ing an account Of tho reception oi
some Mississippi troops in that
place, when on their way to Pcnsa-
cola, in which a decided Union
feeling was manifested, and on this
suspicion was arrested. He was
taken before the City Recorder, Mr.
Dickinson, who kindly expressed his
regret that he was unable to hang
him. and had to content his patriotic
soul with putting him in the city
Jail. lie escaped by means which
we cannot publish without compro-
missing persons still in Tennessee,
and after hiding in the city for day
or two, made his way past the
guards, got to jackson, Tennessee,
thence to Union City, a rendezvous
OF Tennessee troops, thence to Co.
ln,nbus, Kentucky, and from that
point walked to Cairo, getting nei.
ther food nor aleep from the time Of
leaving Memphis. In regard to the
troops in Tennessee and their con-
dition we learn some interesting
facts. He says there is not the re-
motest danger Of an attack on Cairo.
Tho rebels arc much too anxious
for their own safety TO venture so
far away from home. At Memphis
there were very few or no troops,
except the home guards, AMI tho
only guns were three or four twenty.
four FOUNDERS mounted in a decided.
ly original way. by resting the trun.
ions on two heavy piles driven in
the ground, and fastening them there
BY staples driven over the trunions
into the piles. This neat arrange
ment, allowing room tor recoil,
is likely to smash things when the
firing begins. But though Memphis
was almost entirely stripped OF troops
there we're very large forces in tho
vicinity, and in the way of an nd
vance upon it. His estimate is that
there are s.l20 men at Union City,
near the Kentucky line; 5000 at
Randolph; 10000 at Germantown;
and II 600 at Corinth. Missississip.
pi, these comprising the whole
available force OF the South West
lie passed all through and carefully
examined the camp at Union City.
saw all the arms, and ascertained
accurately the condition of the men
there, and he says of tie S.120
only about 1000 were armed,
with flint,lock muskets altered to
percussion locks. And this very
inefficient armament, he says, il the
prevailing one among the Southern
forces he has seen. The Southern
leaders and papers purposely mis-.
represent the character OF tho arms
in the hands Of their men. and, as AN
instance he states that it was report
ed that fifty cases OF splendid rifles
OF the very best pattern had arrived
at Union City and were being dis.
tributed," yet these cases arrived on
the same train he did, and he saw
them opened. Every one contained
altered Hint.lock muskets. There
were only four guns at Union. In
addition to his own examination he
learned from the conversation Of
some of the military leaders that the
troops were alarmed. and ill-ied as
well. On the same train with him
from J ,ckson to Union were Gene
rails Sneed, Cheaiham, Anderson
AMI Clark, whose conversation
among themselves no frequently
overheard. They rallied bitterly At
the stupidity and inbecilitJ OF
Pillow, who don't seem to have i'm
proved since his Mexican war ex.
perieDce, and they all talked in a
desponding tone OF the ill.condition
and feeling OF their men. None had
been paid, few had been properly
clothed, still fewer properly armed,
and many were discontented.- In.