The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-06-11
The City of Memphis.

Memphis is by far tho largest and most I'M
portant city on the Mississippi river between
Il Lonis which is 43O miles above, and New
Orleans which il T30 miles below. 1t is sit
mated Immediately below the mouth OF Vol
river. on the Fourth Chickasaw bluff, which
il elevated thirty ieot above the highest floods
Its aprearancc from the river is remarkably
striking. An csplanade, nearly thousand
feet wide, extends along the bluff in front OF
the town, and is bordored with extensive
ranges Of large warehouses ; while IRON the
base Of the bluff a bed Of sandstone projects
into the river, forming q fine landing tor
steamers. This terrace, or espIanade, forms
| a plaCis Of sufficient compass to accommodate
large army facing the landing and here
and at the most eligible sites about me cIty'
heavy cannon have been mounted, while the
exposed portions have been greatly strength
ened by -killiul engineers.
Memphis IL the entrepot OF four railroads,
trayersing north south, east and west. these
roads have added greatly to the commercial
growth Of Memphis, though it s the river
traffic which has built the city The ship
ments Of cotton alone from the port, in the
year ending September !, 1860, amounted to
four hundred thousand bales and its general
business, in ordinary times, is immense. II Is
the great point for cotton and other produce Of
Western Tennessee.
By last census the population Of Memphis
is nut down at about $4,000 souls; but the
city has been 80 long beleagured and kept IN
II panic, and so many Of its able.bodied citi
zens have been impressed into the rebel army
that it is calculated by refugees from there
that il does not now number ons.half Of its
ordinary inhabitants. Nearly all the stores
are closed, and the proprietors Of the few that
are open. keep very few goods TO sell, having
secreted the greater part of their stock to
preyent its being stolen No one wants to
sell ANYTHING, but endeavOrs to avoid selling,
knowing that the shinplasters, which form the
staple Of the currency in retail circles, are
worthless. There is no gold or silver in Mem
phis, and no notes even Of the bank Of Ten
nessee: but in their stead the town is flooded
with FIVE, ten. twenty-five and fifteen cent
issues Of the Tennessee and Mississippi Rail.
way.
Great distress prevails among the people,
and has prevailed for six months, in conse'
quence of the severest poverty, and great
many laboring men and mechanics have been
compelled to Join the southern army to obtain
the common necessaries Of life,
The Mississippi river, from Memphis TO the
Gulf, i. deep enough to float even the largest
ships of war. In view Of this advantage the
United States government established naya
depot, or navy yard here, which is situated on
the south border Of the city. There are build
ings and adequate preparations for ship
building; aud the construction Of steamboat,
was formerly largely carried On in Memphis
For the last year, it has been used for iron
clothing and otherwise fitting up river steam
ers for offensive operations and most OF th'
boats which the rebels used in tho late nava
fight, and in the defense Of Island No. 10
were fitted up here's Louis RepuJitcam.