Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-10
THE EVACUATION OF COLUMBUS.
Further DetafIs
rFron, ,ha Oht..oo T.th,,,

leck before which Columbus has been vacated
was made to appear in the earliest dispatches.
We wish TO do the Rebels the justice to state
that they were not driven headlopg down the
river by the threatened advance of Commo-
dore FOote, though we believe he would have
proved that a sufficient ground for their with
draval. The completeness Of Gen. Halleck's
plans did not allow this as the sole depend
ence for the final squeeze to Rebel possession
In Kentucky. To snow this, the sccempany-
ing disgram will come in play, and other facts
we shall present, will inteligently explain
with its help, just why the Rebels found it
convenient 20 leave. Gen. Halleck's official
dispatch tells part Of the story. Our Gd.
rance guard from PadHcah rode into Co
ItNbuS on Monday erenlag.
The Rebel Generals, at their leisure, may
make up their dispatches. If they tell the
truth it will be about as follows Gen. Pope,
in Missouri, left Commerce, but few miles
above Cairo, and marched his strong column
to New Madr,d. a point on the Mississippi river
due east Of Union City, on the Missouri side
large force from PadUcah, and withdrawn
from the Cumberland, proceeded to Mayfeld,
and thence tie sdvspce directly westward
upon Columbus Nor was this all, for third
strong column OF troops, flushed with victory
on the Tennessee and Cumberland, seized, or
were about to seize, Union City, cutting of
retreat by railroad to Mepphis. Thus it will
be seen that the Rebels we're co0ped ike rats
in trap, and had they remained, could have
been cverhauled at leisure. They wisely with
drew, and with this explanation our readers
have our dispatches announcing the event
The Rebels have done many more cowardIy
acts in this war than to abandon Columbus.
The correspondent of the Cincinnati @ Gazstte
gives the following interesting details
The Notifications at Columbus are erected on
bluff about 1j0 feet high, Immediately north.
Of the town. The position Is admirably adapted
to defense BY cutting down q number Of
trees on the Belmont point nearly opposite.
the rebels were enabled to command perfect
view OF the river for distance Of four miles
The bluff faces Forth and projects slightly into
the Mississippi beyond a ridge extending a
mile above it. There are, or rather there
were, three rows of batteries upon il, the irst
about about fifteen feet above the water the
second about - feet above this. and the third
on the top Of the hill. II Is difficult to say
how many guns either OF these mounted as the
rebels threw mos. Of their heavy pieces into
the river or attempted TO DO so. though many
OF them faile1 to reach their destination and
stopped On the bank, where they are now
visible.
1t is presumed that the three main batteries
mounted fifty guns, and We have the evidence
OF citizens who frequently visited the camp. To
this effect. An attacking party would have
had one great advantage. There was no shelter
erected for the artilerymen; and those who
worked the guns in The lower batteries would
be exposed during the entire action to the FIRE
Of the gunbOats. Tie water battery Was on &
sort OF table about fifty feet long aud twenty
feet deep. 1t formed an excellent marx for a
good gunner, and if the gunboats could have
held out against II tor any length Of time, 1t
would have been siieneed. The upper batteries
were not quite so much exposed but in none
Ct them were the men sufficiently Hell sheltered
from bursting shell, gEapeshot or canister -
The entire works on the summit 0f the hill
eaTers az area Of about four miles The forti-
.TI-- -,-Er-
calculated 10 repulse an army stacking from
the south a. veil as from the north. TIE fort
can be reached from the town of Columbus by
four different roads, cut through the high hills
st an immense outlay Of labor.
Thequarters for the troops are small cabins
or huts, about six feet square, built Of clay, by
digging into the earth three feet, for the body
Cf the tenement, and making out of the soil
thus eVacusted a slanting roof, which in a ma
jOrity Of cases Is well shingled. There are
enough OF these apartments to accommodate
thirty thousand men. RegimeDtal and COM
pany officers quarters are constructed in the
same manner, hat a little moro tastily finished
Near tie river, below the water battery is
the principal magazine Of the fort. 1t Is a sub
terrRnean work, about 20 feet square, easy Of
access from all parts Of the Notifications
About hslf way up the bluff, 75 feet above this,
is another magazine, equal in size and similar
in construction TO the first.
The fort is supplied with water from the
river, by means Of force pump worked by an
engine.
Among the objects which excited curiosity
to-day was Pillows great chain designed 10
span the Mississippi 50 as to prevent the
downward passage Of the Federal gunbosts
II is very strong and heavy looking affair,
stretching down the hill and into the river,
where, believe, IL is broken.
The rebel forces at Columbus numbered over
~ 900 on Sunday week, when the gunboat
feot came down the river, and was prevented
by flag OF truce from accommodating or
attacking. They were under the impression
then that they could not resist an attack from
the gulboats.
The evacuation of the place commenced
week ago to-day. IL was carried on rapidly
Every wagon within miles around was i'm
pressed TO transport stores and ammunition 20
the depot Of the Mobile and Ohio Railroads.
distance Of about three miles. Civilians were
entirely excluded from the camp on and after
the 25th ult.
General Polk left Columbus on Thursday.
the 18th, fsr some point South, supposed To be
New Orleans.
By Sunday last all the infantry had gone.
General Cheathsm then departed, leaving the
fort in charge Of about 500 cavalry, with in
struetions to burn the camp, and fly on the an.
prOaeh of the Federals. This last command
left on Monday morning, having DESTROYED
everything on the previous night. TheY set
FIRE 10 all the stables, and burned rs 900
bushels Of corn, and about 5000 tons of hay.
They also burned aquanuty Of stores which
had been left behind by the eVaeuators for The
want or transportation.
The troops that left Columbus vent to three
different places-one third 10 Jackson Tenn
One-third to Island No 10; and the remainder
started for Nashville, but where they went TO
am not informed. E
The rebels did not burn the depot of the
Mobile and Ohio railroad, nor did they destroy
the track In the vicinity Of Columbus. They
left in too great haste 20 DO any damage to this
end Of the road. l believe they DESTROYED a
culvert or two beyond Moscow, about twenty
miles from this place. .. ra. ~ :