, 1861-08-20
Important from New Orleans and xhs
Lower Mfe8feAfoDi

from the New York Corn Adyertise..]
From gentlemen who have recently arriTed
from the South snd whom we deem perfectly
reliable in their statements, We learn highly
interesting and important intelligence,
On Ihufsday, the 8th, our inforI12xts were
in Memphis en- route Ior the North frsin New
Orleans. During the afternoon General Polk
directed company Of Dutch artillery, en-
camped at Memphis, to SEIZE several river
boats lying at that point, aud impress mum
htr Of men sufficient to maHage them. Mar
tjal law being in operation in that city, the
act Of impressment vas promptly carried into
execution. The boats were fired M. Those
which we're laaaed had their cargoes rapidly
discharged and made ready for the trauspoF-
tation oi IopEs.
The Ford Kenret, a st. Louis steamer, was
loaded with i've hundred barrels Of -four, and
two hundred bags OF corr, for New Orleans.
Her cargo wns unloaded aud the vessel seized
bJ Polk The Rose Douglass, 3 While River
host, had passengers On board and WAS about
to start On her regular trip when she ~as
were the John simons, and 81. B. Hill, Mem
phis packets; the Joha Walsh, Memphis
packet, aud tWo other boais. Four Of the
vessels we're the largest on the river, capable
| OF carrying one thousand men each.
When al WEE ready the impressed Crews
we're coerced into submission and the heet
| started at midnight on Th1raday night, the
| Sth instant, for New Madrid, point about
! ORE lW0QfEU 1H14GA auOFH ENC IlF&I4 UQI1n&
Thursday, and until Saturday, General Polk
suspended railroad md teleg graphic eommuni-
cation with Memphis in order to prevent this
| movement Of troops being made known. On
Friday noon, the feet returned, having left
New Madrid early On Friday morning, and
five Thousand men at Randolph, = point oi
greater security, near Memphis, upon which
they could f4n back IL necessity required.
During the time the boats we're engaged IN
transportation Of these troops, the travellers
who hsd taken pasesge upon them were de
| Sick women and children we're left without
| care and protection, and subjected to the in
suits Of the lawless mob ct Dutch artillery;
who, Under pretenee Of examining passports
committed many 1adignities. On Saturday tht
lnttrdietion On travel waa removed, and thosE
hound North were permitted to leave. From
! Memphis to Ciarks7ille, Tenn--5eyond whicl
{oint passes are net gzvan-ehe passenger:
were repeatedly searched, and In many in
stances treated in most brutal manner; ig
through the csrs, and insulting with fonl lsa
guaee. and rough treatment the helpless pas
Eengers. From Clarksyille, Tenn, our in
tormante passed rapidly through the Vest
and reached this city yesterday afternoon.
The Intelligence from New Orleans and cite
, along the river to Memphis, IL late and impo,
. tanf. At New Orleans no 'fortidcations har
been erected, a1thongh preparations are beins
. made to build them speedily. Gun carriage
have been procured Ia considerable numbers
and fitted for the reception Of guns. Th
new Custom-house has been converted into
foundry aad guns are cast for special use 4
New Orleane. The armament will sonn b
completed. and the city placed In state 0
defense But few soldiers are In or aronnd tn
6 city, the Louisiana troops having been drafte
for service II Pensacolk or TtrEIuia.
At Bt1wlck's Bsy, forttaestions hays bee
: thrown no. and R1ao st ofhar u01nES ha&Ya4