Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-07-21
The Eneny's Operations.

From tht Richmond Enquirer, July IA ]
From gentlemen lately down the river as far
as JordAns Point, we learn that over ole hun
! dred transports, vessels of war, and gunboats,
are at Harrison's Bar, in the James river, while
the remnant of MeClellan's broken army lies on
the northern bank from Heron creek to West
over, extending back from the river about three
miles. They are working day and night, dis
playing an energy in their defeat that we would
very much delight to see evinced by the COnted
crates in the flush of their victory Six long
wharves already facilitate the landing Of sup
plies and reinforcements. Houses are being
built for stores and hospitals and every prepa-
ration which permanent base of future opera
tions would indicate already exist at Harrison s
Bar.
The enemy may not move at an early day, but
that they have not abandoned the idea OF cap
turing Richmond will be apparent to any man
who may witness their operations at Harnson's
Bar
Commodore Wilkes, of Trent nOtoriety, as
sumed, on Saturday, the command of the Fed
eral feet in the waters OF James river.
This nan is desirous of perpetuating the
fame he has acquired among his connuymen
for the capture of Mason and Shden; for that
reason, and under the hope that be may be able
to rsise the dropping war spirit Of the North by
some brilliant exploit with his gunbOsts,
has Commodore Rogers been superseded by
Commodore Wilkes. That be will soon try
something is the opinion of able naval men in
our service. Wilkes cannot afford TO be idle in
James river His abilities as an officer were
never regarded above mediOcrity, but the pres
tige among his cOnntrymen of the Trent affair,
has blinded both the Federal authority and him
self as to his capacity, and We should not be sur
prised at any moment to hear that Wilkes was
battering out his little brains against Drewry' S
Bluff The Sixteen Federal gunboats that now
shelter and protect Mcclellan are looked upon
with more pride and regarded with deeper atfec-
ton by McClellan's soldiers, than any other OBJ
iects on earth When the remnant OF the army
reached the river, a Federal army officer, meet
ing naval officer, in the delirium Of his delight
threw his arms around him, and exclaimed,
There ought to be gunboat in every man s
family" So deep is their attachment to the
gunbOats that, were all of them ordered tfom
the river, the army would " skedaddl5" out
of Virginia the first dark night. They regard a
COlumbiad with veneratOn, while a four mile
shooting hundred pound rihed gun is idOizsd.
Mcclellan will have to carry gunboat with ev-
cry regiment before lie can make them leave the
river.
The Fe3erals having had success in canal
working around Island No. 10 and elsewhere on
the Mississippi, have been seriously considering
Drewry's Bluff As ridiculous as this may ap-
rear to some of our readers, we know that at
one time, and that not very recent, it was dis
cussed by Federal engineers. The complete
and perfect barrcade, impossible to the smallest
craft, which now extends across the river at
Drewry's Bluff, would have to be removed IN
der the desdliest fire from field artillery and
sharp shooters, even after the silencing of our
batteries by the gunboats-this the FedeTals
will undersi iand, and they may seek to ditch
Drewry's Bluff out OF existence and Richmond
] into ashes.
Our army neither digs nor drills one half as
much as the Yankees, and yet the spade and the
pick contributed as much to the defense Of Rich
mond as the musket and the cannon. Oar i'm
/ patient people must see that Gen. Lees elabO
rate earthworks enable him TO remove from the
enemy's front that large portion Of bis army that
] fell upon his rear and won the victories which
relieved Richmond We must again dig, dig
| dig, or Mcclellan will dig into Richmond. The
| spade can only be conquered with the spade
/ the shovel will always defeat the musket
We hope to see our long lines of earthwOrki
| extended on both banks Of the river, completed
and perfected with a strength which will deiy eY
1 cry effort
We understand that slirmish occurred this
side of Shirley on Saturday, in which Fedora
officer WIS wounded and carried to Shirley.
One of our picksts was slightly wounded The
enemy are gradually feeling around their pres
eut position to fnd the exact locality of on
troops Many skirmishes will take place before
they learn where we are, all Of which will b.
heralded as great and important victories, ant
as marking McClellans second approach t.
| Richmond.