Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-01-12
EXPECTED MOVEMENT OF
RIVER FLOTILLA.

We published on yesterday the intelligence
conveyed by our special Geographic correspond
ent at Columbus, that the Federal river hotilla,
accompanied with a large reinforcement Of uoops'
had arrived at Cairo. This feet consists OF
twelve well constructed gun-boats, and thirty
eight mortar boais-the latter being merely RATS
built Of heavy timber, tlirty-eight feet by sixty
in ares, and bearing several mortar guns each,
We have the further information that pilots have
recently manifested such q nervous indispOsitiOn
to confront certain internal machines alleged 10
be concealed in the Mississippi and Tennessee
rivers. that the authorities at Cairo and Paducah
have been compelled to impress them into ser
vice, in contemplation Of the long anticipated
q forward movement which seems now near at
hand
That a movement n some d~irection-either on
Columbus or up the Tennessee-is probable,
seems to be believed by MajOr-Gen. Polk from
the precautionary act Of preparation which will
at once be recognized in his order published this
morning, directing volunteers on furiough to re-
port themselves to their respective commanders
Immediately. 1t may possibly be that the enemy,
imagining that the late rei~nforcements sent from
Columbus to Bowling Green, has materially re-
duced our strength at the former place, has be-
come sufficiently emboldened to defy the
dangerous submarine devices said to be cOncOcted
for his destruction, and move by both land and
water on the command of Gen. POLK. If so, we
have reason to believe the experiment at Bel
mont viii be repeated with a far more fearful
disaster to Federal arms than marked our victory
upon that memorable occasion.
Our correspondent stated, and the stronger in
dications seem to be, that the impressments were
being made for the purpose OF moving up the
Tennessee river to attack Fort Donelson, and
thus reach the bridge on the Memphis and Ohio
railroad, so as to obstruet communication be-
tween Bowling Green and Columbus. This de-
sign accomplished, and a very strong blow will
have been struck us BY the enemy, resulting in
considerable embarassment to the progress of
army operations in Kentucky. We have reason
to believe that this matter has been duly eonsi2-
cred by our military authorities, and that yigor-
Gus and energetic preparations have been made
to meet the enemy in his advance both by land
and water. A raid Of the fOtins up the Tennes-
see river is very apt to RESULT It's serious dis
~com6ture, besides eyentuating in a moral lesson
which The pilots already appreciate.
Many, for whose opinions we have high
respect, seem to think that Gen. BUELL. has
been delaying his advance on Bowling Green
only TO await the completion Of CHS EiEeF fleet,
intending to move 6rsa1 simultaneously with
Il The Louisville paPars asserted a few days
since that he would Be tally prepared TO move
sometime between the 10th and 18th Of this
month, which fully comedies with the above
supposihOn-
At any rate, if there be any thing in the mu-
tstiOns Of The war barometer, we may look for
news Of some moment from Western kentucky
daring the present week.