Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-10-26
YERITAS
COLUMBUS, KY, October


COLUMBUS, KY, October %.
EDITORS APPEAL: Columbus still wears its
wonted quiet aspect, little stirring except the
routine of business incident to so large a militia
ry command.
This morning news was brought to camp, l
understand of an entirely reliable nature, that
the Federalists had taken possession of Mayfeld,
having marched into that quiet place in large
numbers on the 22d. Gen. Polk thought this
point of sufficient Importance to take possession
of it by sending forward the Shelby Light ORA
goons and Gen. Cheatham's brigade to occupy
it, but aferward apparently changed his plans
and lost a move on the military chess board by
Withdrawing from a position the advantages of
which his first movement taught the enemy to
appreciate. This place, like Paducah, is sur
rounded by men in sympathy with the South,
and the brief period of our occupation of the
place encouraged them to take a stand which is
interpreted as treason by the PrGtorian bands
of the Washington desPotism, and I am told that
numerous arrests are being made in order to
~forestaTl any movement Of secession sympa-
thizers'' toward Columbus. This is throwing
down the gauntlet to the military authorities
here, in a manner that they cannot well, il they
desire, longer ignore. The work upon the bat
teries at this point is so far advanced as to do
away with the necessity Of maintaining a large
force for its prosecution orsthe holding of the
place, and a forward movement is daily expected
that will throw the challenge into the teethsof
the enemy.
Last night, I am informed, four hundred of the
Federal cavalry approached to within eight
miles of this point on the Blandville road before
discretion got the better part Of their valOr and
constrained them to halt and retraee their steps.
A scouting party of the Shelby Light Dragons
had been over the ground that afternoon, aud it
is supposed that this was the game they were
after. If so, like many an unsuccessful hunter,
they went home with weary limbs and empty
pouches, for the little party numbering ten, reachs
ed camp safely about nine o'clock that evening.
A spy in c~rinoline was brought into beadquar-
teIs this morning, from somewhere III tine neigh
borhood Of Mayield, whogaye her name as Mrs.
sheppard. She SAYS she is a native of New
York, and has lived in Memphis, to which place
she pretended to be making her way, when she
drew upon herself the attention Of parties who
brought her % this city andGelivered her over
to Ten. IllOR-=D DIG las HOt udu q ucdlluB at
the time of writing.
A skiff, with two occupants, with q pole
raised at the bow to which was attached a white
handkerchief, made its appearance in the river
above this point this morning, and the dimi-
nutive size of the craft, its unwarlike ap-
pearance, and the ensign Of peace which it
bore, gave it a free passport, when Abraham's
gunbOats would ride in ruins, and It quietly
moved at the Columbus wharf. One Of the men
got out of the boat and proceeded to Gen. Pill
lows headquarters, where he asked the favor to
be allowed to proceed under his Tag of
truce to Atlanta, Georgia, Of which place be
claimed to be a resident. It seems that the gem
tleman is under a heavy bond 10 meet the judge
of the criminal court at that place at an early
day, in order that that functionary may inquire
legally into a case at law in which this party is
accused Of knowingly aud w~ilfully vending
counterfeit money. tits presumed that the gentle
man will not be able TO ill his appointment with
the civil dignitary, since the military authorities
here think it incompatible with public safety,
that he should be allowed a free entry into
southern territory.
Late in the afternoon Of yesterday the Federal
towboat Sampson, u small propeller, rounded
the point above Columbus, bearing q white flag,
aud after the customary salutes was allowed to
land. Gen. Grant and two officers Of his staff
were aboard, as well as three Confederate pris-
oners whom they p~roffered to exchange. The