Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-03-07
LATEST FROM THE SOUTH.
The Position at columbus.


We have the rumor in such form as to
give credit that an order has been issued
by Gen. Polk for the evacuation of Co
lumbus, which movement is understood
to be executed under the direction of
Gen. Beauregard. Itis stated, accord
ingly, that preparations are being made
for our army to fall back to Island No.
10, or Fort Pillow--a very necessary
move, it seems to us, in view of the cap
ture of Fort Donelson and the surrender
of Nashville. As Gen. Polk made
call two or three days since upon the
planters along the Mississippi river for d
thousand negroes, for the purpose of COM
plotting and Strengthening the forti6ca-
tons at Island No 10, we were not un-
prepared for this intelligence.
Indeed, it has long since been perfectly
palpable to US that Columbus must even
tually be evacuated, and our lines drawn
in SO soon as the central column of our
army under Gen. Johnston, at Bowling
Green, gave way, or Forts Henry and
Donelson fell into the enemys hands
The capture of these positions was tan
tamount to successful thanking of both
Bowling Green and Columbus; and hence
it required no experienced military eye
to foretell some Of its most Immediate
consequences. These reasons strengthen
our conviction of the authenticity of the
rumor.
Island No. 10 is strong position, not
far from Hickman, Kentucky, about 45
miles below Columbus, and 115 above
Fort Pillow, and 1856 above Memphis
1t completely commands the Mississippi
river for miles above, and can be so for
titled with heavy guns as to be made i'm
Tpregnable against any river attack. As
it is demonstrated in the late battles at
Forts Henry and Donelson that the Fed
eral gunboats are not invulnerable to
riaed cannon and heavy columbiads, the
position is well chosen, and with the aid
of good land force can be maintained
against the approach of Foote'S fotilla.
If it be true that Columbus is to bed
evacuated, it will require, we presume,
several days for the execution Of the or
der, as care should be taken that none
of our munitions of ordnance are left
behind. Gen. Beauregard now, no doubt,
directs all military operations in this de-
partment-a fact which insures success
in everything possible to be attained by
energy, skill and experience.
Gen. Beauregard Sick.
From the Memphis Appeal leth.1
Gen. Beauregard, we learn, is sick at
jackson, Tenn. He is staying at the
house of Hon. Milton Brown, but is not
too much indisposed to give military
orders.
Burning of Cotton and Tobacco.
The Richmond Dispatch says:
Mr.. Henry, of Tennessee, who, it
will he remembered, made the great
Union speech in Baltimore, at the nom
inatiCn of John Bell, claiming to be the
grandson of Patrick Henry, offered the
following resolution in the rebel Congress
on Wednesday:
Whereas, 1t is desirable to encour-
age the planters of tobacco and cotton in
the Confederate States, and others who
are bona tide owners thereof, to destroy,
by burning or otherwise, those articles,
rather than that they shall fall into the
hands Of the enemy; therefore be it
"Resolced, That all such persons who
shall burn their cotton or tobacco, or
otherwise destroy the same, to prevent
these articles from falling into the hands
of the army or navy Of the United States,
shall be fully UNIDENTIFIED by the sGov-
eminent of the Confederate States, upon
proof of the number of pounds Of tobac-
co or cotton SO destroyed, and proof Of
the necessity of such destruction to pre-
vent the enemy from getting possession
thereof"
FROM MIssIssIPPI-pRocLAMA or Gov |
ERNoR PETTUs.
Jackson, Miss, Feb. ia procla-
nation has been issued calling upon every
citizen able to bear arms TO have his arms
in readiness. Troops are enlisted under
the call for seven regiments, to rendez-
vous at Grenada and Corinth The 20
companies Of II months men will rem
devious at Meridian 7
Boards of police in all the counties are
to appoint enrollers under the military
bill preparatory to drafting; also, to es-
tablish gun-shops to repair arms.
JOHN j. PETrUs.
Gov. REcToR's cALL---ARKANsAs RESPONDS.
From the Appeal, Feb. 1871
Yesterday morning Governor Rector,
Of Arkansas, issued proclamation draft
ing into immediate service every man in
the State subject to military duty, to
respond within twenty days.
THREE DAYS IGHTING--GENERAL PRICE
FALLING BACK.
Especial to the Memphis Appeal, 18th
Ciarisviiie, Ark, Feb. III =. " ".
a courier has reached this place with
letters to private parties, stating that
Gen. Price has been fighting for three
days in Missouri. He y falling back to
fbo Arkanaaa 1inaa and considerable ac