Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-08-01

| Knives anu rlneu plstOl5; VINO called them
selves the 'Toothpick Company" They
carrieda coffin along with them, on which
was plate with "Abe Lincoln" inscribed
on It and they amused themselves with the
childish conceit of telling the people as they
went along that they were bound" to bring
his body back in it. At Grand Junction
Station the troops got out and were mustered
preparatory to their transfer to train for
Richmond, in Virginia.
1t was past O'Clock on Monday when the
train reached Memphis, in Tennessee, which
is situated on high bluff overbangipe the
Mississippi. Here is one of the strateeic
positions of the Confederates. 1t is now oc.
cupied bya force of the Tennesseeans, which
is commanded by Major-G General Pillow,
whom found quartered in Gayoso House,
q large hotel, named sitter one of the old
Spanish rulers here, and as he was lust start
ing to inspect his batteries and the camp at
Randolph, sixty odd miles higher up the
river, could not resist his pressing invita-
tions, tired as L was, to accompany him and
his staff on board the Ingomar, to see what
they were really like. First we visited the
bluff on the edge of which is constructed a
breastwork of cotton bales, which no infantry
could get at,and which would offer no resist
ance to vertical and but little to horizontal
fire. 1t is placed so close to the edge OF the
bluff at various places that shell and shot
would knock away the bank from under it.
The river rolls below deep and strong, and
across the roads of water courses leading to
it are feeble barricades of plank, which a
howitzer would shiver to pieces in few
rounds. Higher up the bank, on a COM
manding plateau, there is breastwork and
parapet, within which are six guns and the
General informed me he intended to mount
8 gunsa this part of the river, which would
certainly prove very formidable to such
steamers as they had on these waters, if any
attempt were made to move down from Cairo.
In the course of the day was introduced to
exactly seventeen colonies and one captain.
My happiness was further increased by an in
PRODUCTION to youth of some 90 years of
age, with tender feet, if may Judge from
prunella slippers, dressed in green cutaway
jean pants, and tremendous sombrero with
plume of ostrich feathers, and gold tassels
looped at the side, who had the air and look
of an apothecary's errand boy. This was
General Maggles (let us say) of Arkan-
sas Freighted deeply with the brave, the
lngomar started on her voyage, and we
came alongside the bank at Chickasaw Bluffs,
too late to visit the camp, os it was near
midnight before we arrived. l forgot to
say that large number of steamers were
lying at Memphis, which had been seized
by Gen. Pillow, and he has forbidden all
traffic in boats to Cairo. Passengers must
60 round by rail to Columbus.
JUNE l8-I have Just returned from a
visit to the works and batteries at the en-
trenched camp at Randolph's $ Point, GO
miles above Memphis, hy which it is intend
ed to destroy any fotilla coming down the
river from Cairo, and to oppose any force
coming by land to cover its flank and clear
the left bank of the Mississippi The In
gomar is lying under the rugged bank, or
bluff, about $50 feet high, which recedes in
rugged tumult and watercourses filed with
hrushwood from the margin of the river,
some half mile up and down the stream at
this point, and Brigadier-Gen Pillow is still
riding round his well-beloved earthworks and
his quaint battallions, while I, anxious to
make the most of my time now that I am
fairly on the run for base of operations, have
come on board, and am now writing in the
cabin, long rooted room, with berths on
each side, which runs from stem to stern of
the American boats over the main deck. n
A few horses were waiting i'm
patiently in the sum- for flies will have their
way, and heavy men are not so unbearable
as small musketoes. With q cloud of colo
distingnishable by his air from the volunteers
the General proceeded to visit his batteries
and his men. The first work inspected was
q, plain parapet of earth, placed some 80 feet
above the river, and protected very slightly
32-pounders. bowitzers ofan old pattern, were
taI m, ho,boffo thnut opy frouarcor
whatever. The carriages rested on rough
platforms, and the wheels ran on travers-
ing semi-circle of plank, as the iron rails were
not ready. The gunners, a plain looking
body of men, very like railway laborers and
mechanics, without uniform, were engaged
at drill 1t was neither quick nor good
work-about equal to the average of squad
after couple Of days exercise, but the men
worked earnestly, and | have no doubt, if
the Federalists give them time, they will
prove artillerymen in the end. The General
ordered practice to be made with round shot
After some delay, kind of hybrid ships
carronade was loaded. The target was O
tree, about $500 yards distant, was told
II appeared to me about LOO yards off
Every one was desirous Of seeing the shot
but we were at the wrong side for the wind
4 and ventured to say so. However, the
| General thought and said otherwise. TIL,
word Fire!" was given. Alas the fric
ton tube would not explode. 1t was of
new sort, which the Tennessoeans are trying
their prentice hand at. A second ball an
swered better. The gun went off, but wher
the ball went to no one could say, as tn
smoke came into our eyes. The party movet
to windward, and, after another fuse ha,
missed, the gun was again discharged a
some degrees elevation, and the shot fel
in good line, 200 yards short of the target
and did not riochet. Gun No. was thel
discharged, and off went the ball, at no par
ticular mark, down the river but if it di
go of, so did the gun also, for it gave
4 frantic leap & jumped with the carriage Of
the platform /; nor was this wonderful, 70
it was an old-fashioncd chamber carronad
or howitzer, which had been loaded with
full charge, and solid shot enough to max
! it burst with Indignation. Turning frou
this battery, we visited another nearer tn
Vater, with four guns (32-pounders,) whicl
were well placed to sweep the channel viii
. greater chance of ricochet; and higher up o.
the bank, toward high peak commandin
tho Mississippi, here about 700 yards broad
and small continent which runs into it, wa
, another battery of two guns, with YER
great command, but only tit for shell, as tn
fire may be plunging. All these batterie