The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-22
AN INSIDE VIEW OF THE REBEL CAMP AT
COLUMBUS, KY

The Cairo correspondent of the st. Louis Republican
visited Columbus Ky on the 18th nst the character
of country clerk and gives the following inside view d
the rebel camp at that place.
The houses of the town generally small, many
painted white, and few showing good taste by their
surroundings Of shrubbery and cultivated grounds On
the river bank Is the depot Of the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road commodous building and the chief ornament Of
the place. No passenger with carpet sack in hand or
porter with trunk shoulder visible; but instead
regiment Of gray uniformed fellows from Louisiana /
understood were Occur yng the depot locomotive at
tachcd to four platform and passenger
ing idly on the track, but blew its whistle and started or
shortly after. Ii seemed strange, An enemys camp
and yet all Americans in tone speech and action similar
yourself and those Union canps at other places In
stead Of being bloedthlrsty hoofed horned and tailed
multitude there good looking boys, efieminate men
with downy boards, laughing, Falsaan individuals Also
as well az those of true military cut, among the rebel
multitude.
As there was danger of mourning suspicion my oxpo
ratoBs limited and unable to visit all the diff
fercnt points Of interest About half OF those soldiers
uniformed while of the balance many had
army cap, coat pants with stripe or military mark Of
kind and the rest simply ordinary costume. Their
arms decidedly mixed, Of those in tents or
hands sentnes being revolving weapons others brooch
loading common muskets, hunting rifles, &c. l picked
up one with the stamp "Harpers Ferry" upon it, Tents
Of the old sylc some tattered and useless others
strong and new but pitched in regular order Discipline
was evidently lax than in federal camps and the
men appeared TO take things In free and easy style
Shoes gave the most melancholy effect Of the blockade
In0Se Oh suuWtu patches,
haired captain said style made of thick cloth being
used instead None Of the uniforms OF the soldiers were
new and pinch VIM evidently when they are worn
Blankets also and preparations for win
scanty proclamation posted board proved to
be from General Pillow forbddng the inhabitants Mis-
ports the Mississippi sending any more bacon
provisions Of any description South was needed
by the forces "in this department.
The forhcations that defend Columbus are situated on
the bluffs just above the town and along Lucas bend
They placed, and the natural advantages Of the
ground such that any attempt to take them without
the cooperation Of powerful land force will prove un
successful and disastrous. noticed but cannon on
the bank In front OF the town. and that small one
General Johnston commands the forces there has with
him Pillow and Chatham The number Of their troops
was stated at 35 600 OF whom % 600 then Column
bus eight regiments having started the day before for
point inward. From 81 appearances the secession
forces themselves afraid OF being attacked and as
long they can keep the federas by fcnts and other
wise from marching upon them, they will be satisfied
There quite shade OF anxiety the face Of him Of
the long hair when he asked is IL they have taken
New 0reansp and remarked If they have we will wei
come them with hosptable hands to bloody graves
which. besides being incorrect quotation, was not
fresh enough TO excite the admiration Of his hearers