Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-24
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Va begin % have stirring times among
both land and naval forces, which indicate
that. -somethinF will shortly transpire
which will strike terror 10 the rebels be-
low hsre. More strict rules are adopted
Ter camp discipline in accordance with
Gen. Halleck's recent orders, and reviews,
regimental and company drills, are the
order. We have had large arrivals Of
troops, particularly cavalry, within the
last few days; also several companies Of
artillery, which, with the infantry ragi-
mehts on the way, will make an army suf-
hcisntly laEgs e eope viii The enemy in
trenohed 81 Columbus, KY, twenty miles
below here. Gen. Sturgis is expected here
tO-moEFoW tsinspOot the forces, and On his
return % 81 Louis Gen. Halleek viii come
70 review the whole force.
The gunboats from st. Louis, seven in
nambel, have arrived, the Flag gunbosts
Benton and Essex arriving to-day. Flag.
OH6cer Foots Is here, and al Is hustle and
preparation. The Benton is the largest,
and Is completely enoased in iron. She
viii carry sixteen guns, the most Of them
82-pounders-the balance Of q larger cal
abrs. Thare are three more hoats at Mound
City, seven miles from here, having the
iron put on, their armRments being here
In waiting for them. These three will
make ten new boats, and with the three
already in commission, but Of different
model from the new ones, will make for
midable feet, and sre expected 10 strike
terror 10 seoessiondom. - ...r
Some Of the mortar-boats built ct st.
Louis, Of which there are forty, arrived to-
hight They are built after the model Of
those used In the CFimean war, and will
be toWed bY small steam-tugs to proper
positions % batteries and then anchored.
They are built Of logs in 3 square, and
false bows and sterns put on them. They
viii use nothing but mortars, which are
placed in the centre, the men working
them being protected BY thick sidings Of
oak plank. These forty mortar-boRts, with
the thirteen guRbOats, are expected to have
little trOuole In going down the Mississippi
River to the Bali9e, after passing GOlum-
bus, which Is BY far the best fortified place
on the river. What land force Gen. Hal
leck win hiring with him is not known, but
it viii undoubtedly be large, for he does
not expect to retreat after once starting.
The feet Is already aesrly gathered,
most Of the iFon-plsted gunboats and
floating batteries now lying at the leYee
here. And more important than al is the
cOmplste success attending the tests Of these
terrible vessels Of var. In every pHrtiou-
lar they work satisfactorily, drawing less
water than anticipated, turning huge balls
easily, slmost gracefully, from their iron
sides, and sending forth deadly storms Of
: shot and shell from the fr0Wning port
holes. 80 ovessels in rebel possession-not
even the BatteTing-rsm Msnassas-could
Asaoat fifteen minutes after getting within
range. OF thsae boats there are nine, in
AL. and three others less EtfonEi - +-hish
iii act the part Of skirmishers, or cover
The landing Of advanced bodies Of troops
BEING sVifI, carrying half doIen guns
but unprotected BY iron plating. Inc nag g
ship win be the Benton, larger than any Q,
tbe rsst. carving more heavy metal, and
said to be the most effective gunooat eYei
BUILT in this country. On her ConmodoT'
3 Foots snd suite viii take passa ge-soon
is hopsd-for Dixie.