The New York herald., 1862-01-25
NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 1852.

compelled to Join Louisiana regiment Cox who was
compostor in the Office Of that rampant organ OF seces
sion, the Memphis appeal, offered his choce-to en-
list Tennessee regiment confined in the abora-
tory and engaged in manufacturing cartridges lie cnse
the former, as presenting the best opportunities lor
cape Morell was also impressed into Tennessee resr
ment and Gardner into Louisiana regiment Inc CON
centraon Of the Southern forces at Columbus orougn
them together and their sympathy Of feeling ana sch,l
men discovered them to each other, and ney au
various plans OF escape.
The battle of Belmont, in which their regiments were
engaged, Offering favorable opportunity they deserted
aud male their way the woods, but were arrested
seven miles below Cairo by Southern scouts, securely
bound and taken to Columbus where thrust hto irons
they tried before the reverend rebel and pous trait
Or Polk and sentenced to be shot They were put
heavy irons and kept in the guardhouse until Two
days before the OF the proposed executon when the
unhapy auartette made the happy recipients OF
file al the hands OF friend. With this instrument they
filed of their irons, keeping them together for time
with taken from their bucket not to arouse
tho suspicious Of the guard Upon the night of their
cape, although heavy force OF sentinels guard,
the guardhouse and then forced their way through
the dirt and rubbish, by means Of the file, un-
derneath four buildings and emerged in sight OF the
picket guard, who huddled together round fire.
They crawled along upon their hands aud knees and
managed TO eude the observation Of the picket In this
manner they proceeded until they reached the bushes,
when they set off at rapid pace, which was not slack
ened until they came within the lines OF the twentieth
Illinois. Colonel Marsh at Camp Jefferson at the mouth
Of Mayleld creek. Colonel Marsh forwarded them in
safety to Cairo where Gardner still remains. The other
three passed to this city, and left last evening for
their homes, Gilbert for Brooklyn N " and Morell and
Cox for Waertown, n Y.
The parties quite young but very intelligent and
energetic, and determined to moro shoulder the
musket this time in defence Of freedom They have rem
dered forces at Cairo excellent service by fur
nlshng Commodore Foote much valuable information and
drawings Of the defences at Columbus.
They represent that Columbus is strongly fortified, and
that the troops still at work day and night in the in
trenchments They are in hourly expectations OF an
attack, and sleep at nght-when they do sleer-upon
their The forces Columbus number some 40 900
men, composed of all natonalities, and mainly from
Tennessee, Arkansas Mississippi and Louisiana. The
Tennessee troops we'll uniformed in nigger cloth,
and armed with improved muskets. The other troops,
however wretchedly armed with shoguns aud poor
ly uniformed many Of them barefooted but all seem
hopeful conented and confident Of ultimate success In
the ranks large numbers Of Onion men who have
been impressed into the service and will seize the first
opportunity to escape
Columbus is defended by eighty pieces OF ordnance
commanding the river, the largest 2Spounder. The
submarine battery planted three miles above Columbus
and rifle pits extend back from the river for distance oil
three quarters Of mc At Memphis business was com
paratvey prostrate ana largo fires were of frequent
occurrence.