New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1862-01-14
The War En the West.
From the Memphis Appeal of Sunday last

From the Memphis Appeal of Sunday last we
copy the following:
We published yesterday the intelligence con-
veyed by our special telegraphic correspondent at
Columbus, that the Federal river flotilla, accom-
panied with large reinforcement of troops, had
arrived at Cairo. This fleet consists of twelve well
constructed grn boats and thirty eight mortar
boats-the latter being merely RATS built of heavy
timber, thirty eight by sixty feet in area, and bear
ing several mortar guns EACH We have the further
information that pilots have recently manifested
such nervous indispositiOn to confront certain
Internal machines alleged to be concealed in the
Mississippi and Tennessee rivers, that the authori
ties at Cairo and Paducah have been compelled to
impress them into service in contemplation of the
long-anticipated forward movement" which
seems now near at hand.
That movement in some direction on
Columbus or up the Tennessee-is probable, seems
to be believed by Major-General Polk, from the
precautionary act of preparation which will at
once be recognized in his order published this
morning, directing volunteers on furlough to report
themselves to their respective commanders imme-
dately. 1t may possibly be that the enemy, i'm
aginiDg that the late reintocements sent from
Columbus to Bowling Green has materially reduced
our strength at the former place, has become suf-
fciently embodened to defy the dangerous sub
marine devices said to be concocted for his de-
structiOn, and move by both land and water on the
command of Gen. Polk. If 80, we have reason to
believe the experiment at Belmont will be repeated
with a far more fearful disaster to Federal arms
than marked our victory upon that memorable
occasion. o. ' .+
Our correspondent stated and the stronger indi-
cations seem to be, that the impressments were
being made for the purpose of moving up the Ten
nessee river to attack Fort 5Donelson, and thus
reach the bridge on the Memphis and Ohio Rail-
road, so as to Obstruct communication between
Bowling Green and Columbus. This design ac-
complshed, and very strong blow will have been
struck us by the enemy, resulting in considerable
embarrassment to the progress OF army operations
in Kentucky. We have reason to believe that this
matter has been duly considered by our military
authorities, and that vigorousand energetic prepa.
tlons have been made to meetthe enemy in his ad-
vance both by land and water. A raid OF the flo
ta up the Tennessee river is very apt to result in
its serious discontinue besides eventuating in a
moral lesson which the pilots already appreciate.
Many, for whose opinions we have high respect,
seem to think that Gen. Buell. has beendelaying his
advance on Bowling Green only to await the COM
pletion of this river feet intending to move for
ward simultaneously with it. The Louisville pa
pers asserted few days since that he would be
fully prepared to move some, time between the
10Th and 10th of this month, which fully comedies
with the above supposition. ..al.,
at any rate, it there be anything IN the muta-
tons of the war barometer we may look for news
Of some moment from Western Kentucky during
the present week.,
An interview held by us yesterday with Gen.
Parsons, of Missouri so distinguished Tor his gal
liant department in the battle at Oak Hills, gives
| us q better idea than we have before had OF the
present military situation and necessities OF his
| State He left Gen. Prices army at Springfield
ten or fifteen days since, when he took his depart
ure for this city en- route for Richmond. Gen.Par-
sons brings us more encouraging account ot Mis-
souri, affairs than had expected at this luncture
| He deems the whole force OF the enemy in the
State not over IS 600 or 40, ,00O which is about TO-
| 600 below what we have heretofore been led to
believe they had Of this number rs 900, includ
ing the force at st. louis are south ofthe Missouri
river and ten or fifteen thousand along the line Of
| the North Missouri railroad, Between Jefferson
City and Sedala,s ,sincludng both points, there are
| $4,000, and at Rola 5000 Federal troops. Besides
| there is large force of 5000 Jayhawkers at Fort
Scott under the brigand Montgomery.
Such are. the estimates based upon information
officially received at the headquarters of the Mis-
| sour; army. ,.,-s.
Gen. Prices army--the size of which we forbeal
| to mention for, prudential reasons--is at Spring
| field, as aforementioned, but not with the view
| of going into winter quarters, we are pleased *
| learn, unless forced by the absolute rgor of the
| season. But small part of his division have ye
| been mustered into the Confederate service, TO-
| fear of being placed under the command of othe
| officers than those of their own choosing. Wer
| it not for this apprehension, so stimulated by th
| silly rumor of Gen. Prices supercedure, we ar
| assured that the whole division would have vote
| unanimously to be transferred to the nationa
| army. The force at Springfield is well armed an
| equipped, and well drilled, the greater numbe
| having been in service under their gallant con
| mander since the war commenced in Missouri. :.
1t is well understood that Gen. Price now need
and desires the cooperation Of the Confederat
| Government in prosecuting well conceived can
paign for the dsenthralment of his State.