Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-11-02
MOVEMENTS IN KENTUCKY.

EDITORS APPEAL: As Mayield has been the
center OF some stirring events in the last ten
days, and as the press throughout the country
has been teeming with many false mmors con
corning events said to be transpiring here,
have thought that your readers would be pleased
to have some authentic information from this
locality
Mayfeld is about tweuty-si1 miles from
Paducah, aud fifteen or sixteen miles from Camp
Beauregard, where Gen, Bowen's brigade is en-
campei, on the railroad leading from Union City
to Paducah. It is the county seat, a very
pleasant town, and the center OF a rich farming
community; the most Of whom are SrcrssjonistS
in their sympathies. if nothing more.
At Mayield creek, some nine miles or there
abouts from the town, and on the way to Padu-
cab, the Secessiouists have burned down the
railroad bridge, so that the Yankees cannot run
their trains from Paducah to this place, while
Gen. Bowen has full possession Of the other end
Of the road, with only one engine, however, ard
some eight or ten cars. Instead Of all that
array Of thousands and tens of thousands,
about which so much has been said in
the public press, so far the contest has been to
get possession of this train. Gen. Bowen was in
the habit Of sending this train with a guard Of
one company, up to 3Iayfeld every day, after
-four, lof which large quantities are ground at
the mill here& as well as for he purpose Of see
ing that the torres in this portion Of the county
were not doing any damage to The track. Being
3 n4---.9 1-s 1. -. -, .- Id. gE -bo E..f
that the train made its daily trips with SO treble
an escort. the Yankees determined upon a comp
d'etat, and swore that they would capture the
Train. They recently sent down about eleven
hundred infantry to Viola, just this side of May
field creek, and at the same time some two hun
dred and ffy cavalry to Msyield. It was their
purpose, as / s%urInise, 10 cut of the retreat
OF the train by means of their cavalry, while
their infantry advanced from Viola 10 give The
guard in charge OF the train battle. The cavalry
came into town, as you have already published,
and proceeded 10 arrest all our prominent citi-
zens, and put out their pickets to prevent the
news Of their presence spreading, but all their
precau ION ayailed them norhing-'be train did
not arrivs that day. Whereupon, two-thirds Of
the Hessians (for they were nearly all Dutch
got beastly drunk, and several had to be hauled
of in a wheelbarrow. When they left, our cii-
zens were released from arrest, and he torn 1oas
then burned, as reported.
This was excitement No. one.
Two days afterwards, Colonel Bonham's fine
Mississippi regiment was sent up by General
Bowen, and encamped near the town. A finer
body Of men harly ever beheld, or . more bold
and daring looking commander than Colonel
Bonhan. We were all elated now at the idea
Of a forward movement by the Confederate,
and trusted to see Paduchah fall before the end
Of the week, but alas our hops were doomed to
disappointment. On yesterday Colonel BOnham
was ordered to return to Camp Beauregard, and
never dbl see officers and men regret any retro
grade movement 50 exceedingly, but the order
was imperative, and Ike good soldiers they
obeyci it, no, etseJulg, but firmly.
This wa excitement No. two.
In a little while after Colonel Ronham had
left we were all excited by rumors of the ad-
vance Of the enemy. We ascertained that a
Yankee spy came aP on The same tram 1ouh
COi0Hd BoHham's regiment, who walked on to
Paducah that very night, and gave information
Of the movement on the part Of the Coniedrstes,
and how did we know but what they had been al
ready informed Of the backwardmove OF the latter
as well To add to the excitement, early the next
morning our scouts came in and reported the
enemy advancing on the town in great force,
aud now We began to fear for the train which
was momentarily expected. Would it have a
sufficient guard to protect It, Presently it
came in sight, moving cautiously and steadily,
as if apprehensive thst al might not be right
Some OF our Overexcited citizens began imInedi-
ately TO wave their handkerchief for 1t 10 return,
and one man ran toward it with streaming hair
and furious gesticulatiou, warning the captain
in command to 20 back, for fire thousand Of tho
euemy rere il a mile and a half Of t0Ica, and
The caralry in front. The captain in command
was standing by the side of the engineer, aud<a
the midst of the excitement seemed as cool and
composed as though nothing had occurred. tie
promptly ordered the engineer 10 reverse the
engine, told some one 10 take the newsbeaTor on
HthI'If anu lI itF'A lFttl'l I'D 49, il'AA anu i'tE w !
them 10 fix bayonets. When he had run back
about Eve hundred yards, b. stopped the train,
and sending the conductor mp in town to
ascertain the strength Of the enemy, al
the same time threw ont a body Of skir-
mishers under Lieut.. Davis, who seemed
as cool ana collected as the captain him
self and now al waited impatiently 20 hear
from the conductor. Presently the latter came 1
back, and On his assurance, the captain fired of
his pistol, the signal agreed upon TO recall the
skirmi5hers, and the train proceeded up to the
depot. We found two companies aboard, under
the command of Capt. d. Il. Hundley, one OF
the most intelligent and soldierly officers we have
vet had the pleasure Of seeing in our town. He
is apparently about twenty-five or six years Of
age, over six fee; high, with the gentleman
written all over him. A finer face or a finer
eye / never saw, and have since learned that
for his age be is a man Of some note, and is con-
sidered the most talented man in his regiment.
[ was also exceedingly pleased with his Lieut.
Dayis-Buck Davis, as he was Familiarity called.
Capt. Hundley divided bis two companies into
AAANN AfAANlrT NV q " ~ IL ltlt III kudILt El l
the train, while be proceeded with the third to
station a picket guard around the town. tie
remained nearly al day, but no Yankees made
their appearance. Neither Capt. Hundley nor
any Of his officers, or men, were the least disor-
derly while in town, and departed soberIy as
soldiers aud gentlemen should,
This was excitement No. three.
Mayield is once more herself again, 3" but we
are hourly expecting the Yankees, who were
doubtless lurking about town all the while
Capt Hundley was here, to pay Us a-visit SO soon
as they learn that he had LETT. In rcv0ir.
MAlFIELD
ASTONISHING Run At BmLLRDs-Tbe La
vsca CTexas) Guf hey mentions a most aston
ishiug run at billiards. twas by Judge Hast
iugs, of that town. He made seventeen Doints