Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-04-16

Euterrpriuy Dialogue Between CseHernis
EseHureRRrd and Prsntiss.
The wsy correspondent Of the Mobile AdDcr-
HSsy aa8 Register, writing from COrinth, says
witnessed also the arrival and presentation
of Gen. Prentiss who was taken by staff Off
Ger or officers Of Gen Polk, and conducted TO
the latter, who sent him with his compliments
Immediately to Gen Besuegard. The follow
ing is the substance Of the conversation that
ensued after they had shaken hands:
Prentiss. Well, sir, We have felt your power
TO day, and have to yield
Beauregsrd. That is natural, sir You could
not expect It to be otherwise. We are fighting
tor our homes, our wives and children. for gem
erations vet to come and for liberty itself Why
does your government thus war upon US, and
seek US upon our own soil
PrentisS Our people hive never yet been
able to bring themselves to consent to see the
Union broken up. Such a thing has not entered
into our calculations and cannot.
Beauregari The Union is already broken,
aud the last man, woman and child in the South
will willingly perish before it shall De restored.
What force have you had engaged to-day
Preutiss. Six divisions, numbering a little
over 70JO-the whole not amounting TO more
than 10000. Gen. Grant commands, assisted
BY Gems. Sherman, McCIeruand Wallace, HuTl-
burt. and myself Gen Smith is sick, and has
not been on the field My division was the first
to receive your attack, and we were not properly
supported if we had been the day would have
gone otherwise There has been msmanage-
ment somewhere. Had been supported in time
we shlUld have broken your center at the time
we stopped your advance.
Beauregard. You are mistaken, general Ny
order of battle was such that, if you had even
penetrated the center of our front line, it would
have only been to encounter certain destruction
We would have cut you TO pieces las Gen.
Buell. arrived, and what are his forcss2
Prentiss (hesitatinglv). ] do not know where
Gen Buell. s,.0r the number of his forces. l
have heard he was at Nashville, and then at
Columbia; and also that he was on the road.
We do not look for him under fJTty-eight hours.
l fear YOU will capture the greater part of our
army on this side of the river. You have to-day
met and overcome the best troops we have.
BeauTe gard l am glad 50 hear it, and trust
that the result Of this days work may incline
yOur government to peace.
Prenhss That can hardly be, sir. If your
army had pushed on after the battle Of Manas.
sas it might have taken Washington and over
run the North and brought US to peace. At
that time we had an insufficient supply Of arms,
and were not prepared for the war. The Belgian
muskets, purchased by Fremont, we're Of but
little account You could turn your thumb in
the mUzz.e, the bore was so large. We also
purchased from England the old arms that have
been slowed away as useless i'm the Tower in
London ever since the war with Napoleon IN
1918. They are of no vaiue whatever. 1t is
only within the last sixty days that we have be-
come thoroughly agd efficiently armed. Our
supply is now ampS and we cannot be over.
come. Permit me to add that your government
has made two mistskes-hrst, in not availing
itself cf the fruits Ui the battle of Manassas;
and secondly, in waiting until we had become
thoroughly armed We have now $50 OGO men
in camps of instruction, who viii be brough
upon tie field as they may be needed. We do
not doubt The final result.
Beaur-rard. Nor do we. Our cause is Just,
and God viii vet give us the victory.
PTentiss We know that you have able off
GERS and a spirited army to back them, but our
confidence is firm. And allow me to say, gen
eTal that among al the Confederate officers no
one is so great p iav0rte with us as yourself
Such is my own feeling, and that of our army
and people
BeauTegard. You are very kind sir; but we
have much better officers than am. Gen. Syd
uey Johnston and Gen Joseph Johnston are
both my superiors in abilities as well as IN rank
J have served uuier both of them most cheer
fully, and know them well I care nothing fu-
rank; the good 0l my country Is what look to.
Other observations were made, but the fore
going embraces the chief points of the interview.
Gen. PTeudss was easy and pleasant, and not al
all depressed Apparently too, he was quit
candid; aHl yet 1 thought I detected a dispOsi
ton to evade, il not to mislead i'm his reply as
10 tine IS WHaTpa bouts ana forces of Buell.