Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-01-08

Things at CenterUWe-Feeling on the Border
Maj Gen. HH-FortJfcatiOHs, etc.-E1sHS-
port, etc.


Things at CenterUUe-Feding on the Border
Mg.-Gen. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., etc.-E5ans-
port, etc.
L%EEsBURG, December 30, 1861.
EDITORS APPEAL: Things in and around
Centerville look grim and warlike-immense
mounds and Qualifications frown toward the Pc
tomac, while troops are busily engaged in ar
ranging for the trials of winter. New hospitals
and barracks are rapidly going up and assuming
form, while far and near scarcely anything is to
be seen but timber and lumber, and no othel
more warlike sounds than the echos Of countless
axes. Daily and hourly the various brigades are
becoming more and more comfortably situated,
nevertheless, there are watchful eyes looking to
every movement of the enemy, who, though in
immense force above Fairfax and Falls Church,
and have had magnificent weather for offensive
operations, are nevertheless as undecided and
, hateyor, save they be predatory in character.
in line, along our entire line Of the Potomac,
things seem to be in statn quo, although umors
are rite this morning that the EvanspOrt batteries
have successfully withstOod a long and murder
Gus bombardment during the whole of the 2Sth
Saturday and succeeding evening, being as
sailed also, it is added, by a considerable land
force. The uImor comes from headquarters as l
give It, but what may be its foundation, in fact,
remains yet to be seen. That heavy firing took
place during the time designated is undoubtedly
true, but the arrival Of other eOuriers must bring
details.
Since our advent in this corner Of the State,
the duties and hardslips of the 9TH brigade have
been many and severe, nevertheless, owing to a
high tened moral which actuates the men in all
their actions, they have gradually won the es-
TEEN and love of those, even, who before our
coming were " neither hot nor cold" in their
devotion to the fatherland and now as | write,
while all prepare for winter quartering, the in
habitants Of villages previously repulsive in their
demeanor are now directly the opposite in their
feelings and action, and look upon our every &C
ton with interest and satisfaction.
The militia willingly respond to Gen. His
command to assist in fortifying our position, at
various points, and no trouble is experienced in
gathering these bodies Of men from distant parts
for any purpose whatever, for the bold stand
made by our NAL brigade in this exposed posi-
ton of the extreme left front, among the hills
and val les of LOudon, seems to have infused
new life and ambition into the coolest and most
Indifferent. Though extremely cold here. the
kindness and consideration of friends at home in
providing little comforts and additional clothing,
have a~lleyiated many v~exations and privations,
and as Gen. Hill is indefatigably IahOring daily
at stupendOus breastworks and mounting heavy
ordnance, we have no idea that our acquaint-
ances-the " blue-jackets across the river will
dare to measure strength with us for some time,
unless they dream Of essaying a hazardous de-
scent across the ic@. In any case the Mississippi-
ans are ready for them, and l opine that General
Hill will not be caught mapping as Stewart was
at Drainsville of late.
l have again to assure you that the success of
JacksOn's brigade in destroying the main dam
No. 81 Of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. was
complete in every particular, and results in
greater annoyance and inconvenience to the enc
my than was at first supposed OF surmised. Al
though protected by a heavy force of infantry
and artillery, the enemy were distracted by the
operations and demonstration of jackson some
FIVE miles above the g dam" at Wiliamsport
Hastily throwing up some heavy breastworks
near the latter place, and making a great display
with his force, the enemy were led to believe he
contemplated crossing, and began counterforti-
t~icationS but during several nights a large force
was detached, who vigorously worked at the
4" dam below, and although Oftentimes up to
the middle and neck in water, prosecuted Their
nocturnal labOTs with such determination and ce-
lerity, that the dan" was completely smashed
beyond all repair, before Colonel Geary and his
Yankees could realize the fact. So that. in total
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal is entirely un.
remediable, and all supplies thereby are cut of
from the Federalists. Casualties on both sides
were very few, but the chagrin of the Yankees il
clearly apparent in the furious cannonade they
commenced upon JacksOn's men, when the sc
cret and success of his expedition was fully
known. jackson and his (Stone Wall brigade
are again comfortably housed in and around
Winchester, waiting like Micawber for some
thing to turn up )" but, as his men, like himself
are extremely industrious and restless, it is more
than possible they may surprise the Yankees il
some other novel manner ere long, and com
pletely ISOLATE them from the good things Of theil
many markets.
Gen. Evans, our old commander, is busily EN-
gagged with the Yankees near Charleston, anC
from late.t information a heavy battle was i'm
minent between himself and Gen. Sherman. The
South Carolinians are loud in their praises Of the
disposition he has already made to repel the in
vader, and you may rely upon it that Sherman
will find in him one of the toughest fighting
brigadiers our army can boast, although he ma
not be, perhaps, one of the most scientific boxer.
under the stars and bars. We are expecting
battles in various quarters, but look toward the
coast with most interest, as it is surmised, from
every indication, that nothing serious may trans.
SVN0iDS' DomHhs
Green or the Potomac. Wise men are liable t.
be deceived, but such is their general voice.
"Lige" White, OF whom | had the pleasure Of
speaking apprOvingly in one of my letters, is
now raising a fine company Of cavalry in Lou.
doun county, and recruits are fast hocking to
his STANDARD. The object of his corps is ia
" scout" and protect a long line of the river
during winter, and to summarily punish all dep.
relations of the enemy who may be tempted
from cupidity to cross and plumber. A better
and more daring leader the cavalry cannot boast,
and modest as he is in every pretention l con
lecture that his corps will render all very effect
i've and meritOrious service. SuccesstO all brave
spirits like him. Yours, etc, 7. f.. c..