Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1862-02-21
Columbus, KentuoItV.

great interest, the following sketch oft, and
the probable number Of rebels there, will be
read with much interest We copy from the
ST. Louis Republican:
There is no mistake that the enemy's DO.
sltion at Columbus, Kentucky, is as near i'm
pregnable as the engineering art, added TO
the natural topography Of that section of the
country, can make it. From what knowledge
we have acquired in relation to its defenses,
we should deem it extremely perilous to at.
tempt its capture by mere assault, either BY
land or naval forces, or both combined; for
itthe half that is said of il is true, the place
IS capable ofa prolonged and successful re-
slstance to any army, less than one hundred
OF one bun dred and fifty thousand strong
that might be sent to attack it. Fortunately,
however, Columbus can be reduced, as we
DelleVe, without the necessity of directing a
gun at its formidable works.
In speaking OF Columbus, we refer to the
tortihcations and military works N all kinds
which have been constructed in the vicinity.
The town itself is a place which, in ordinary
times, numbers from one thousand to twelve
hundred Inhabitants, and is built upon low
ground, sloping gradually to the river bank.
II is about twenty miles below Cairo, and,
by railroad, one hundred and fifty miles
above Memphis. The To Wn is situated in a
heavily. timbered region, and protected on
the north by range of limestone bluffs
along the river, ranging in hight from fifteen
to seventy five feet, flanked at their base by
strip of low land between them and the
river, which overAows in times of high water.
These bluffs disappear in rolling hills, the
trees and brushwood upon which have been
cut down between the upper intrenchments
and rifle pit more than mile in length.
The upper intrenchments commence oppo-
OF nj Il
stretched across the river, and where
masked battery is placed. Above them the
ground is low, wet and marshy, sometimes
completely overhowed. Below the upper
rifle pit the ground is elevated, and upon the
highest bluffs is a strong work mounting
between twenty and thirty heavy pieces
62 and 80 Founders. In the rear, and some.
what south of this fort, is a triangular re.
doubt mounting about six rihed cannon and
eight or ten ll-inch she'll guns. Between
this work and the river the rebel troops are
principally encamped, an intrenchment ex-
tending from the town northward and pro-
tected by mortar battery. The Mobile and
Ohio Railroad enters the lower part of Co.
lumbus proper through an excavation fifteen
feet deep, which thus increases the natural
detenses. Another line eofintrenchments eX.
tends east from the town, and on the bluffs
opposite Wolf Island there is fort in which
there are about twenty pieces Of ordnance
There are also other bastions, lunettes and
fortalices commanding the approaches on the
east the whole making display of not far
from eighty cannon, independent of field ar
tillery. Scores of acres of timber have been
felled, forming heavy abattis, encircling
three sides.
The Dumber Of the rebel troops at Oolum-
bus at the present time is not accurately
known to any except those who claim the
right to know. Forty thousand is the figure
that has usually been put down, but there is
reason to believe that this is great exag-
geration. Indeed, it is difficult to see, If
there were near as many men there az some
have supposed, why some effort was not
made to reinforce Fort Donelson in the hour
of its severe trial. Until some better proof
is offered than the statements of interested
parties, we shall be hard to convince that
there were more than twenty thousand Se-
cession soldiers, if so many, at Columbus
We have spoken of the natural and artif.
cial strength of this Manassas fthe West"--
the place where, according to the New Or
leans DsItG, if the field be lost all is lost to
the Confederate cause. Yet, spite of all the
labor and means that have been expended to
impede the march of the Union forces upon
Memphis and New Orleans, Columbus must
and will fall, and, in ouRopinion, very soon.
II not voluntarily evacuated, it will be in
vested and starved out, and Memphis paper,
warning its readers of the danger, tells US
how this may be accomplished. Il will be
necessary to extend strong lines from Putt
nsy's Bend, ten miles above Columbus, to
Melbourne, point twelve miles from the
river, and thence to Clinton, which is only
four miles from the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road, thus cutting off all land communica-
tion. A successful movement against New
Madrid will obtain control of the river below
and the only thing then to be done is to wait
for the rebels to consume whatever stock of
provisions they have at the time of the siege,
or come out of their intrenchments to fight
against far superior odds.
But we do not think General Polk will de-
lay until General Grant can surround him
and put into operation this plan which the
Memphis journal has kindly furnished, or a
better one of General Halleck's or his own.
Just now Memphis itself is rather in too
great peril for the Bishop to tarry at CO.
lumbus. He will abandon his works at the
latter place and at Hickman and Union City
and Fort Pillow, and taking what traps he
can conveniently pack up turn his face to
ward the South and begin his backward
march. 1t is even a little questionable
whether he will be permitted to transport
his men in that direction by boat or railroad,
unless his reverence is very speedy about it.
Rat oil ha davalOnad in fip1a