Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-27
Letter from Columbus.
Special correspondence of the Memphis Appeal

Special correspondence of the Memphis Appeal
COLUMBUS, KY, September %, 1861.
| Gen. Johnston having assumed command
OF the forces now here, is pushing forward to
speedy completion the forfi6caiinns and de-
lenses of this stronghold to be Gibraltar
| OF the South. Never was there more conf
| dence inspirsd by commander than has been
| inspired by Gen Johnston among those in
| whose charg" they have been placed. His
course since arriving here has been concilia-
tory. though firm and decided. His every
act. movement and order, mark the man as
possessing all the qualities of a WISE discreet,
| and brave general.
The FLOWING proclamation, issued by
MIN, made its appearance this afternoon. It's
tone is in keeping with the course marked
out and strictly adhered to by The Coaf-drr-
| ates toward Kentucky 10 the position assum-
| ed by her:
| PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS. the armed occupation of a part
OF Kentucky by the Uuited States. and the
/ preparations which manifest the intention of
their government to invade the Confederate
States through that t-rritory, have imposc d
1t On these last, as a necessity of self-defenSe
| to enter that State and meet the invasion
/ upon the best line for military operations :
Aud whereas, it is proper that the motives of
! the government of the Confederate States in
taking this step should be fully known to the
world Now, therefore. l, Albert 5. Johnston,
| general and commander of the western de-
| partmeut OF the army OF the Confederate States
| of America. do proclaim that these Sta IS
| have thus ma ched their troops into kentucky
with no hostile intention toward it's people
nor do they desire TO seek to control their
cho &c in regard to their union with either
of the COnfederacies, or to subjugste their
State or hold its soil against the wishes
On the contrary they deem it to be the right
OF the people OF Kentucky to determine their
own position in regard to the belligerents
IL Is for them to say whether they will join
either Confederacy, or maintain a separate
existence as an independent sovereign State.
The armed occupation of their soil, both as
to its extent and duration, will therefore b,
strictly limited by the exigences of self-de
tense on the part of the Confederate States.
These States intend to conform to all the re-
quiremenis of public law and international
amity, as between themselves and Kentucky,
and accordingly hereby command all who
are SUBJECT to my orders, to pay entire re-
spect to the rights of property and the legal
authorities within that State SO far as the
same may he compatible with the necessities
of self defense.
II il be the desire of the people of Ken
lucky to maintain strict and impartial neu-
trality, then the effort to drive out the law
less intrudars. who seek to make their State
the theater of war. will aid them in the at
tainment OF their wishss. If, as it may not
be unreasonable to suppose, these people de-
sire to unite their fortunes with the COniede-
rate States, to whom they are already bound
by so many ties of interest, then the appear
ance and aid of Confederate troops will assist
them to make an opportunity for the free and
unbiased expression of their will upon the
subject. Bat if be true. which is not to be
presumed, that majority of those people
desire to adhere to the United States aud be-
come parties to the war, then none can doubt
the right of the other beligerent to meet that
war whenever and wherever it may be wag-
ed. But harbOring 10 such suspicion, now
declare. in the name of the government which
L serv". that its army shall be withdrawn
from kentucky so soon as there shall be sat
isfactoIy evidence of the existence and exc
cution Of "a like intention on the part of the
United States.
By order of the President of the Confede-
rate States of America.
A. S. JOHNSTON,
General Commanding the Western Depart
ment OF the Army of the Confederate
States of Amarica
My prediction to the contrary, the gun
boats from Cairo again made their appear
ance Saturday afternoon coming within a
distance OF five or six miles of this place
Several vGlleys were fired from them upon
either shore, and the woods for distance of
two or three miles were thoroughly shelled
to the no little amusement of spectators en-
the hill, who in urge numbers had congre-
gated for the purpose of witnessing their
maneuverings. 1t was no doubt the inten- |
ton of the Federalists to wake up masked |
battery supposed to be in the bend; in this
they did not succeed; another visit, however |
may be more fruitful.
A rnmOr was current yesterday that 81 We
raj of jeff. Tbompson's men, who are en- |
camped upon The Missouri shore, opposite |
this place, had been killed in a reported Skin |
mish about ten miles above here. The facts
are these: picket OF twenty men were |
sent out in the morning Sunday up the |
river They were suddenly surprised short |
distance below Norfolk, by large number
of the enemy. None are known TO have |
been killed, although up TO this hour but |
seven have returned. The daring of Thomp-
son is only eqnaed by that Of his command, |
one and all OF whom know not fear-they |
are great annoyance to the Cairoites, and |
are the best picket pickers in the service.
The fate of those left behind is not known.
1t Is hoped, however, that they will return
this evening.
Yesterday morning the Tenne see cavalry
battalion went up the river TO Elliott's Mills,
located on Mayf Id Greek, twelve miles
above here, and TWO and half miles from
its mouth. When near the mill, information
was received lha, the enemy was posted in
lane, hard by, with IA field battery projected
by three hundred men. Major Hill was dis
patched on road below the lane with three
to reconnoter their position, and
if possible, to ascertain their strength, while
Col. Logwood, commanding the forces pro-
ceeded in their front. Major Hill's column
was Unexpectedly fired on from an ambush of
infantry. who. after firing. retreated through
a cornfield. They were followed by the dra-
goons and a running fire kept up until Col.
Logwood. meeting Major Hill's forces, who
mad found strong Federal force posted,
ordered a retreat.
1t was fortunate that our troops retired at
he time they did, large body of infantry
we're concealed near the road upon which
hey were advancing. Had Maj. Hill become
Engaged in regular fight, Col. Logwood's
column would have advanced and fallen into
IN ambush which was we'll laid, but luckily
niscarried. The encounter resulted in five
federalists killed aud a number wounded.
None of the Confederates were killed OF
although they lost three horses.
The health Of our troops is good, the hospital
eport showing but few inmates. Col. Knox
Walker is rapidly improving; it is confident
y hoped that he will speedily recover.
MEMPHIS.
he rInv of Tho Sautlxvest.-- Nexu |