Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-12-06
a Yankee Visits GOIur us--Whai hC Saw
md Hoard LndnE n VIM Of Irmce.

The correspondent OF the St. Louis Democrat,
who visited Columbus under a flag of truce.
writes Of his visit, the place, Notifications, etc:
If any of your readers leel dissatisfied that
our brave soldiers did not take Columbus the
other day (Which they did not attempt to do
let them come here. The celebrated chalk bluffs
extend for a mile and a half above this town,
being from one hundred 10 one hundred and
seventy-hye feet in hight, and are so situated as
to command the river six miles above. The
armed Reconnaissance at Belmont, on Thursday,
demonstrated the fact that they have one hun
bred and fourteen cannon, of different calibre,
mounted and in position, SO as to sweep the en-
tire country for miles around. These cannon
cannot all be seen. Some of them are masked,
but enough can be seen to convince the most
skeptical that what nature has not done for this
place, land it has done wonders rebel engineers
have done, to make this the strongest Of all their
fortified places,
My information as to the number of the rebe.
guns here l have from one high in position, and
in the confidence Of our government; one who
does not wish to magnify this wicked rebellion
but to know the real strength Of the enemy, and
knowing it, sill not uuderTate our foe, but to
bring to bear against them such an ~overwhelm.
ing force as will make victory sure and complete
There must be some twenty or twenty-five
thousand troops here nov, Judging from the
number Of their tents, which are as thick as
snow flakes en- the vmouHtain brow, lining the
bluffs for a long distance, both above and below
the town, and at this present writing thousand
of the rebel soldiers are gathering upon the bluff
and peeriug at US over its rugged brow.
As we neared Columbus, two heavy guns
opened fire on Us, and we hove to, and waited
until the rebel steamer Mohawk came 70 receive
our flag Of truce Gen. Folks ai3-de-camp.
Capt. Blake, received US coolly, but gentleman.
ly. Major Hatch, in equally as geutlemanly
and more dignifed manner, told The rebel cap
tain his business, and that be had an autograph
letter from Cen Grant to Gen. Folk, etc.
Gen. Folks headquarters were near by, and
soon he appeared on board and received Major
Hatch in a very naughty and unfTiendly man.
ner. The general had on a suit of blue cloth
minus his shoulder straps, and nothing to indi
cate his rank except a ma~ior-geuerals sash.
In reply to Major Hatch's request for the re-
lease of Col. DougheFty, Internationally, rs he
had had his leg amputated and could never
again enter service, Gen. Polk said he cOulC
not release him, adding Il am waiting inStruc.
tons from my government at Richmond; there
is d new order IN relation to tie exchange 0
prisoners, and for the present ! can only ex
change Col. D0ugherty according to the usage:
"a FAA IL = oa % AAt AoA ANAtEA A-1 a. a. "a AA
ton, you must recognize us as a beliigeTen
power before we can make an exchange of pris
oners.' Major Hatch replied that he asked hi.
release on the ground Of humauityi that h
| would sacrifice a flrtgH2 70 Catain his release, 70
he knew him well, and knew that he was a brav.
and noble man, but our government was not il
favor of acknowledging arebel power (~althougl
we must admit that they were inclined to b
quite beltigereAa( As a belligerent power
Major Hatch further requested safe protection
to Mrs. Dougherty, and privilege to escort Mrs
ID. to Mrs. Ovens house, where Col. D~0ughert,
lay sick, stating, upon his word and honor, tina
be would communicate nothing that be saw
Gen. Polk assured Maj Hatch that Mrs. d. shoul,
receive every protection, but could not permi
him to accompany her to Col. DIS quarters
Here the interview terminated, with the coo
retirement Of The rebel m~ajor-general.
Capt. Blake then invited us, and we accepted
10 partake Of some fresh yiands, iutersperse,
with several bottles Of @ green lea an.
" Mumm's cabinet" After drinking O. few toast
Of a social and rather mosaic character, we re
Joined our transport and set sail for Cairo. tn
rebel Captain Blake insisted On a toast from tn
representative OF the st. Louis press. respond
81 / odald Cfer hut one to4St, j.! they could driu
It, and that was "Our Country They rt
sponded, " Yes, Our Country ~ and we all dram
in silence, but with widely different understand
! inps.