The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1862-03-19

The western military correspondent Of the New Or
leans Crescent in his letter OF the lst inst thus speaks
of the evacuation of Columbus:
| reached Columbus on Thursday ev eHng to find my
regiment and Others gone, still others preparing to move
and every thing opsY turFy could not be otherwise
in the removal othe immense stores and ordnance,
ammunition provisions, &c, there collected. large
a,t If steamers were and are busy in the work of trans
porting the troops to this island, and the opposite Ten
nasspp5 shore and to New Madrid and other places below.
Brig Cen McConn commands all tine forces at this point,
and Col Kennedy OF the Louisiana Dist commands the
brigade Oh the island. lie sent here at first with
one of his companies sappers and miners to prepare
HE long deserted Notifications for active service again
He has driven things with the greatest energy and IN
dusty working the day and night, and personally
superintending everything good number OF big
runs are mounted and the work goes bravely Were
the enemy TO come he would spenddly peppered
and if he holds of few days week longer, think
we can safely bid him defiance.
They say this better place to defend the river than
Columbus was Perhaps tits, perhaps isn't. The only
one advantage of this place Columbus is its freedom
from dependence railroads It trusts entirely to the
river and consequently its one great duty to keep the
river closed against the Hessan fotIla
Some Of the light and heavy artillery, all the cavalry
and few regiments of infantry with the floating battery,
remain at Columbus to cover the evacuation, which
assure you is altogether tremendously job. Most OF the
batteries have been dsmanted, aud the big guns are
here Il has been esteemed something wonderful as
well al fortunate that they did down and inter
fpre with the evacuation within the last two days; for
though we have some force left behind, have said,
to cover the retreat The enemys boats could still have
stopped it, though unable to land in the town.
Many OF the troops in leaving committed their winter
quarters to the flames 1t will be the task Of the cavalry
when they leave put the torch to all that IS left OF
Confederate property around Columbns-warehouses,
magazines officers quarters the woodwork of the forts
! stockades, and redoubts, etc.
And this is the end of the six months hard work
3 0rIr,,, md Tho -r,1itli IF Inn
/ federate dollars spent. Though the evacuation be
stern necessity ordered fer the wisest of reasons Ii
consequence of the place being nearly surrounded, ca'
YOU wonder at OF you blame the soldiers tor yeWlnE
il as deep and lasting humiliation and murmuring hei
deep disgust at having fall back after all their hare
work aud all their long waiting to meet the foe.
Ifanything is admirabe in connection With this eyacu
alton it is the secrecy that shrOuded the Intention Of
headquarters 1t kpptso secret that when at las
the order was given, il fell upon the army like thun
derbot But it was right, forit shighy important
keep the enemy in Ignorance Of the design
III regret To mention several casualties connected witt
The evacuation In dismounting one Of the big guns o.
the bluff very heavy circular piece OF iron was throw
over to roll down to the waters edge 1t struck part
Of four soldiers below, killing and seriously njarin
the others did not learn their names.
The guns caissons and ammunition of Stewards Point
Coupe6 artillery we're towed down in ebarge. O
the way the barge sprung leak, and only the mos
desperate pumping and dazzling by the men keptit ahoa
As it was nearly everything IN the barge was suoheSee
and the ammunition destroyed. The guns, believe
have all been got out
The boys, though they didntrelsh the fall back iror
Columbus, are working with great energy as ever
this place As write, tonight their long and lou
yoheaveyoes are to be heard, they tug at the bi
guns by the light Of blazing brush-fre
s. We expect lively times soon-either an attack
. another fall back After having evacuate Columbus
nothing can sstonish ua- We are rapidly beeomin
stolid Or Indifferent I'd the coat Of things.