, 1862-12-25

Matters at Columbus grow more and more
serious, ,Cheatham it is reported. is supporting
Forests cayalry with a heavy force Of infan-
try, and an attack is hourly expected.
The rebels are reported to be within three
miles Of the place, and every effort is being
made to meet them.
Some reinforccments have arrived from ST.
Louis this afternoon, and others have been
sent from here.
Attacks are anticipated at Ft. Henry and
Paducah. The rebels burned Union City and
the bridge over the BIG Obion Riyerlast night.
They have no doubt, destroyed every bridge
and all the trcstle work between Columbus
md jackson.
Memphis was thrown into great excitement
On Sunday night by the presence Of small
cavalry force which had planted rebel flag
within the corporate limits Of the town. They
robbed one or two stores in the Suburbs, and
run off about 100 head Of cattle from the fur
grounds. The rebel force was about 800, be-
longing to Blythe's caya1ry.
No fears are felt for The safety Of the city.
Gen. Sherman is at Helena, preparing tor
bis move down the river, which will be with
out de1ay. ..
4 meeting will convene this evening to
recommend some plan Of police arrangement
and for defense.
(special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribunc.1.
MEMPHIS, Dec. ~. VIA CA1los Dec. "a, 1872. =.
An-eyg-"1tneEs OF tho at1,Ir 1t Ho11y Springs
gives these particulars concerning it. On
Saturday morning, about daylight, Van Dorm,
with Jackson's cavalry, artillery and inf,ntry,
made raid into Holly Springs while the Fed
eral force guarding the post slept. They sur
rounded the Court House square. The SOL
d'ers had no time to prepare to fight, hut
many Of them lid a little Independent shoot
ing: Soon, however, the Confederates over
whelnled them, and between 1900 and 1,500
Of the Fcdcrlls we're taken prisoners. The
rest escaped, some having time only to mount
horse, and left hatless~ and shoeless, and
without saddles or brides.
The Confedcratcs then set fire to
the ammunition and con1missary stores,
and the whole were consumed, All
the stores aud buildings on tho
east side Of Court squire were consumed. The
Confederates took possession Of everything
they could take away. They devoted them
selves to the work Of destroying the railroad
between Holly Springs and Oxford. They re-
mained there until 8 O'Clock, paroled all the
prisoners and then removed off toward Grand
Junction, with the ayowed determination to
destroy the railroad track between Holly
Springs and Grand junction.
The effect Of this raid can be easily discern
ed. Van Dom knew that Grants supplies
had been accumulating at Holly Springs, and
hy surrounding the town and destroying the
railroad here would cut off his supplies and
thus delay his progress, if not compel him to.
fall back.
Later information says telegraphic intel1i-
scnce reached Holly Springs on Thursday
night that IN attack had been made On Jack
son, all the troops at Holly Springs, except
about ], ,Q00 were sent to reinforce that place.
The attack on Jackson VAS probably q feint
for the purpose Of drawing the force from
Holly Springs. The Fcdes:,ls lad plckets
posted three miles out on the roads, but none
~of them heard the rebels approach, aud it is
supposed they came in between the roads,
What troops were taken prisoners VIC do
not know, but the I'd Illinois cavalry, Colonel
Mobiles 101st infantry were part Of the forces
there.
Nearly 4,0N bales Of cotton, besides 2e5
wagons and commissary stores to the value Of
half million Of dollars were burned.
4 report has reached here that reinforce
mcnts reached Holly Springs on Saturday
evening, and that on seeing them the Confed-
crates left in double quick. # that be true,
Holly Springs is again in our hands.
CAIRO, Dec. 24.-Seyeral soldiers who were
taken prisoners at Holly Springs, and were
faroled, arrived here to-day and furnished the
following facts Of the affair:
On Thursday night a telegram WAS rcceiy-
ed at Holly Springs, from jackson, SAYING that
the place mas menaced, and asking for rcin-
forcements On Friday morning all the troops
but about 800 we're sent up to jackson. On
Friday night the Commander at Holly Springs
wasapprised Of the rebel approach, and pick
cts we're placed three miles ont on all the
roads; but the rebels seem to have come in
between roads Is they did notcausc any alarm,
The first that was heard Of them they were III
town firing at our sleeping men. Some at-
tempted resistance, but ofcourseit it Was feeble,
and Of little avail. In short time the: nation
al forces were o1erporered and forced to sur-
der
The attack was made at daybreak. About
200 are reported killed or wounded. Less
than that number escaped by mounting the
first horses they could find, hat1ess and shoe
less, and riding for life, often without sad
dies and brides.
One report at Memphis was that tie rebels
had gone toward Grand Junction NTH the III