Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-12-26
Lettl from Memphis.

MEMPHIS, Dee. 3, 1861. Memphis is quiet at this date. week or ten days ago, all was excitement and commoton. The entire military force called out and about half detailed for immediate service. For several days no other subject was introduced into conver- aation. The question was "who goes7" or "who stays?"
 The military authorities appointed committee to hear excuses and to decide whether the excuses were valid or not I am told that a quarto vol un2e could not contain the excuses that were pre- | sented. Men, who seemed robust, and who had never been suspected invalids, set up the plea. that they were unable to perform military duty. It is said, that all the ills to which frail hu manity is heir, from hernia to consumption, were urged before that committee. Some were excused; others were detailed. Of course, curses fell like showers, upon that committee.
 Those detailed are still here, but ready to march at short notice. It is to be hoped that necessity will exist for their services. The better informed of our citizens seem to entertain no fears that the invading foe, can possibly reach this city. l have yet to see the intelligent man who recently visited Columbus, and who will not declare his conviction. that that place is invulnerable. It bids defiance to all the forces that the Yankees canbring.
 About one hundred of the federal prisoners taken at Belmont, Mo-, are here, They are confined in 3 large house on Adams street, formerly used as negro mart 1 was one of six or eight thousand persons, who were at the wharf, when these Yan- kee captves arrived No little curiosity was mani- fested to see them. The morning papers, in an- nouncing that they would arrive during the day, expressed the hope that insults would be offer- ed to them. There were, however, few of the baser sort, that took occasion to taunt them, such as How did you leave old Abe7' " How do you like the looks of Dixie?" "Why didn't ys come down the fourth of July2" etc., etc.
 The prisoners occupy comfortable quarters, are well fed, and, in every way. well treated. They much surprised to find that we have any thing to eat They had supposed that famine gaunt and dire, was stalking over the South, and feared that their captivity would result in their being starved to death. Instead of this, they find plenty and to spare. It looks little hard that, while hundreds of soldiers wives and children can scarcely keep star vation away from their poverty stricken homes, these Yankee invaders should live upon the fat of the land with nothing do, and all at our expense
 It has been said by some, and sung by others, that '' Truth is stranger than fiction" Many strange things daily transpiring in connection with this most unnatural war. And often, for ages to ome, will the historian as well as tho novelist, look back to 1861, and there find ample material with which to adorn the page of history or of ction
 A certain man one year ago, resided in Memphis. Early in the present year, and before hosIties be- tween the North and South, had commenced, he left his wife and children, and went to unknown whereabouts. His wife knew nothing of him. A day or two after the prisoners arrived here, list Of their names appeared in the daily papers. In that list was the name of the renegade husband | The wife immediately sought for an interview and obtained it, finding her liege lord captive lady residing here, on reading the names Of tha prisoners, found one that the same as brother of hers, who had been gone she knew .,ot where many years. She repaired to the federal prison. and there she found her own brother with whom she had spent youths fowCiy spring, prisoner of ,car. Among the prisoners, a man was recognized who once lived here. and drove hack, being ac- qualnted Wlth every street and alley.
 Several gunboats from below have recently pas- sed up the river During last week, floating bat tery towed by four steamers arrived at our wharf. | The battery is nearly round perhaps 100 feet in diameter, with large cannon, twenty in nup,per. situated all around, to command a,,v and every point. In the centre there is an elevation of several feet, somewhat in the shane of terra pin, iron-clad, and said to be ball proof. In this, suppose the magazine is kept, Itis so construct. ed that the battery can be sunk one foot under water in minutes .ime. During q battle. the water would keep many shells from exploding. Th<, water can 5e pumped out again by machinery in a few minutes. This battery has gone up the river. The pious have long prayed for the time, when i the "nations should learn war no more." That time has not yet come. Our people s.,udy the Icainr Gf i,tar al,r,
 ! Their best talents and all their ey,orejes and re- I sources are exerted in that dir.ction. Liberty is
 worth so much, that it's prlce must be paid often.
 Throughout the Soutt, a thousand altars are ready and tens of thousands of willing hearts are willing
 Q pay the prlee of blood-for the South must be-
 she WILL BE free2 s,