Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-02-01
TIE SITUATION OF COEUaHUs.

From the New Orleans Delta OF ;Le 3Jth.l
The letter which we publish from our cor
respondent at Columbus, relating to the situa.
f ton of that post, deserves more than a PASSING
attention. This community has reason to look
to the defense of no position in the whole circle
Of the war with mols wsLetul vigilance and
kesuer concern than that occupied bv Cen
Polk On the nights of Columbus. We can
afford TO indulge a comfortable sense of security
with reference to the seab0Grj approaches to New
Orleans. We feel sure Of our ability in defend
ing the river against any feet Of the enemy al
tempting the capture Of tho city by way Of the
river TOm the sea. We realize even q less de-
gree OF exposure upon any of the land sp-
III. aches nom the seat the city. Fifty thousand
men thrown upon them wOu.d be lost to a nun-
dred thousand they would be iupralacable.
But what is the fact In regard 90 the route down
the river from Columbus Should Columbus
fall, what is to prevent the enemy from sweeping
doTu the river with the immense feet of run
boats and floating batteries which 4 has been 80
long preparing at st. Louis and Cairo, and with
a hundred thousand men under Eai.eck. 10 At
tack US on one side, while eo expedition striking
up from the sea would attack US on the other
Who can answer Do ehsctual defenses ~
swcrl Do preparations fog defense in rapid
progress answer Where are the defenses ?
Vino Is engaged in the preparations ? These
questions admit Of 10 satisfactory answer.
Our dependence a. present for the safety of
the city from the approach of a formidable expe-
diii0n down the river. is upon Columbus. THAI
IS the northern k5y to tie Mississippi delta
That in possession OF the enemy, the hoodgates
Of invasion Willie opened. Oursituatcn would
not be hopeless, for the soul of southern men
lighting a war of independence must not dream I
Of despair but we would be confronted with
terrible dangers and the whole country exposed
60 fearful evils. On one condition only can we
realize 2 tUl assurance that such dangers will
not occur and that such evils viii never impsnd.
hat condition IS the impreguabiity of Gen. !
Folks position at Columbus. But It may BE-
asked, Is not that position already strong
Strong lt undoubtedly has been, as tho snemy's /
guubOats that encountered as batteries found
out, and as bis army at Belmont bitterly discov-
ersd. Strong it still is in point of ats defensiv We
works, in the resolution Of is defenders. and .he
vigilance, prudence, ability and energy of its
commanding general But iu war strength is
relative. The force Undg General Folks com
mand, It IS 30 be feared, is not as large as it
should be in view Of the augmentation Of the
enemy's force threatening his position. His
fierce has been stationary while the enemy's was
being increased. He is scarcely in a situation
70 extend his wing1, to guard his TANKS, and
prevent BIS position from being turned by q
column OF the enemy pushing past his right.
IneSe renectioLs are not penned IN the spirit
of an alarmist, but that they are called for hv
the occasion is sufficiently evidenced By the fact
that Gen. Polk has sont an oaicsr 10 Louisiana
and one to Mississippi 90 urge upon the execu-
uves Of those States the importance 20 the secu-
rity OF the lower Mississippi valley Of o speedy
reinforcement Of his command. Capt. Bernard
AFegno, OF this city, entrusted with Cen HOlk's
communication TO Gov. MJos5, arrived yes.er-
day, and has ahaaay had an interview with the
Governor, who, we understand, VIII confer i'm
msdiately with Gen. Lowell on the subject Of the
communication. Gen. Trud-au, wLOhas charge
Of the heavy artillery at Columbus IS also IN tho
0ty, aud couobOlates all tss sporehansions ex-
pressed IN the foregoing remarks. Is it not pos
sible 10 s5nd Ave thousand men from ibis city 90
Gen. Folks enforcement lt is safe to saw,
that a much larger number could be
spared az present especially as they could be /
returned by Railroad il Case OF any
emergency, which ie low not tOreseeL At ell
C0suElbUs demands the earnest atten-
ION Of our authorities. The enemy is making
q last effort, and we should be ready to meet it
sfectually everywhere, but above ali 20 meet it
sfectualIy at Columbus, We have only to STAND
our ground for sixty dsTs, and the enemy viii
,ink 10 exhaustion aud despair. But he will
drink new hope and life for an ind3 finite pro-
ougation Of the war if we fell TO stand cur
ground at Columbus.