New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-25
4 Brilliant ard Audatious Geographic Feat.
A Rebel Operator Reads Gen. Hallsek's
Dispatches for -Four Days
THE RAID OF THE ARKANSAS At VICKSBURs.
Gen. Hovey and the Telegraphers.

MRxpEIs Tenu.. Friday, July 10, 1857
The telegraph line between Memphis and Corinth
is exceedingly important. Gen. Hslleck's messages
TO Com. Davis, Gen. Curtis, and the conmandant OK
this post have oil passed over it. Little Of the line 10
guarded but of late tie Rebels have RETAINED from
cutting the wires Their unusual amiabilty 10 now
explained; they found better use for il!
For week the Memphis operators have detected
something wrong in the working Of the instruments,
and surmised that come outsider was sharing their
telegraphic secrets. They communicated this sus-
picon to the Superintendent at Corinth, who prom
sed to keep sharp lookout.
Yesterday, they discovered that their unlimited
confdant could talk as well listen. The transmits
sion of message was suddenly interrupted BY tho
ejaculation, 90 pshaww A moment after it was
again broken with "Hurrab for JEFF Davis"
Individuality shows itself as well in telegraphing
az in the foots,ep, or in handwriting. Dir. Hall, ono
Of the Memphis operators, instantly recognized tho
performer, not by bis tune, but his time, M
young man formerly in Buffalo aud other Northern
Offices, but now employed by the Confederstes. Mr..
Hall surprised him by replying promptly, Ed. Ss-
viIle If YOU do MT want to be hung, you had better
leave! Our cavalry is closing in on both sides OF
youw
There was a little pause, and then the reply:
How in the world did you know me However,
We been here four days. and learned all we want
to know. As this is becoming rather tight place,
think / rW leave. Yon II see me again when
you least expect it. Good bye, boys"
The Rebel operator made good bis escape. He
had cut the wire inserted piece of bis Own, and BY
pocket instrument been reading our official dis
patches Some of the utmost importance, giving
the very information most desired by the Rebels,
werS passing, and as they were not in cipher, no
must have received them. One from Gen. Hovey,
Commandant of this post, in reply to question from
Gen. Halleck, stated the precise number of our
available men in Memphis tonly about $1,000, and
their exact location
The i'll stec, Of this exposure Of our weakness has
been guarded against az far as possible. Gen. w.
L. Sherman has already started for Memphis with
two of the three divisions under his command, and
will arrive to-day. So we are in no special danger
of Rebel dash.
Ills brilliant and audacious Geographic feat was
performed between here and Moscow, only u miles
distant, and probably within Is miles of Memphis!
We are at loss here to understand why, after the
enemy has disappeared, the magnificent army with
which Gen. Halleck threatened Corinth is unable to
guard 200 miles of railroad and telegraph, or to
furnish fifteen or twenty thousand men for tho
capture of yicksburg. We hope that our brilliant
successes in the Wet are Lot TO be followed by
era OF How Nor TO Do 1T.
The raid of the Rebel gnnboat Arkansas, at Vickr-
burg causes intense delight among the Secessonists.
AS yet, we have no information of it, except through
Tie Grenaaa Appeai but shall doubtless have dis
patch boat from Vicksburg to-day. The policy Of
the Rebels in building two three large very
powerful and well-protected gunboots was undoubt-
edy sagacious. They spent more money upon the
Louisa ana Mississippi and Arkansas, than our entire
otilla has cost. Indeed, the aggregate expense Of
our Mississippi feet, up to the present time, nclud-
ing the cost of building all the gunboats is less than
three millions Of dollars. No other part of her SER
vice Las given the country such satisfactory results
at 30 trivial cost.
On Wednesday, Gen. A. p Hovey, commanding
this post, ordered d. T. Bacon. esq, Manager Of the
Military Telegraph, to furnish him copies Of Official
DISPATCHES from Gen. Haleck to Gen. Curtis aud
COL Fitch. Gen. Hoveys motives were doubtless
good-to keep himself advised Of everything inn
portant affecting his post, directly indirectly.
the gross breach OF official duty required Of him.
lie respectfully declined to obey the order. Gen.
Hovey directed Lis arrest; but Mr.. Bacon was abb
sent from the Office when the order came, and one Of
his associates, Mr.. Van Valkenburg, was arrested
instead. The facts were laid before Gen. Haleck
by telegraph, and "Old Brains" promptly re-
sponded, Release the operator at once. lie did
only his duty in disobeying your order"
Capt. Meaningless request to be relieved on ac'
count of i'll health has been granted, and yesterdsy
he turned over the command Of the ST. Louis 70
Cap. Winslow. When Capt. McGunnigle parted
from his men the scene very affecting, for few
officers are 80 universally deservedly beloved
by those under them. He leaves for st. Louis to-
day. R'
DISPERSION OF GUEBe