, 1862-05-28
FROM THE Fl0TnlA.
The Rams Preparing 10 Butt
REPORTS FROM MEMPHIS.

Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune.1 |
M1ee1es1pp1 FLorn1A, NEAR FoRr P111ow,1
On BOARD srEAaHR Jons r. p1c5z1; ICE T.,
The situation Of affairs here since the date
OF my last letter has changed slightly. There
appears to be general increase in energy, the
srift little tugs run more frequently from the
Benton to the different gunpoats and trans-
port steamers, and the preparations going On,
In getting aboard provisions, munitions sud
other stores, seem to Indicate that new life
has been infused into the entire hoti1la
Whether this may be attributed to the energy
and pcrsevcring excrtions Of Capt. Davis, or
to tho near approach to exciting times and the
real opening Of the ball, is a matter OF specu-
lation only. The fact is patent, and the cause
potent, Whatever it may prove to be.
The rams, although as yet untried and mex
pericpced1 In the art Of war, have become per-
manent1y domiciled with us, and with steam
up and preparations all msde for q sudden
order to move, repose in an orderly and well
behaved flock just north Of the line Of gun
boats, under the Tennessee shore To-day
the sharpshooters belonging to this feet are
engaged In the laudab}e undertaking OF per-
feesing themselves in rifle practice, By target
firing On the bank Of the river. Although the
weather is rainy and uncomfortable they do
not seem to mind it but keep up their yo1leys
with regularity and good effect.
The gunboat Mound City, Capt Kitty,
which WAS injured in the little affair with the
rebels on the morning Of the 1Oth inst, and
which for some eight or ten days has been On
the dock for repairs up the river, made her
appearance hero yesterday afternoon, with
colors: ing, and her former good condition full
II restored Her commander aud men behaved
moet gallsntly in the brush Of the 10th, and
their second advent in the folilla WAS hailed
with the hest feeling. after taking on the usual
ammunition, consisting of powder, ball, shot,
she'll and grenades, she steamed away from
| the Iounition boat and nt once repaired to her
| station, once more prepared to do her whole
duty in suppressing the rebellion.
i have read IN some paper letter from
| one connected with the steamer Mound City,
in which grieyous complaint Is made regard
| ing the reports published Of the Late battle.
It is alleged that credit was given to other
steamers for the work performed by the Mound
City. Itcould not have been in the TRmUsB's $
account, as due credit Was awarded the steam
er In question, as being the trse to hear down
in support Of the Cincinnati. This is the
truth, all statements BY any persons to the
contrary otMithstanding.
It is now mther uncertain whether Captain
Davis will await the return Of tho Cincinnati,
which is not expected here before the close OF
next week. before commencing active opera
.tions. 1t is very apparent, however, that we
do not actually need to wait, as, with the
rams, the 1and forces Including the artillery
| and csyaly5-and the returned Mound City
We arc In much better trim for meeting the
enemy than previous to the former trial That
is, taking it Tor granted that the Eebcls hase
/ not added to their former strength In the way
Of epuboats or rams. From information
obtained by means Of q reconnaissance, mAdt
| Yesterday by Captain McGonlgle Of the steamer
l. ST.. Louis, and General Qntmpy Of the lane
t force, it has been ascertaiRed beyond doub
thst their number Of efectise steamers hzs MOI
been increased, and that they rest betWees
l Fort Pillow aud the village of Fulton, eithe
in careless state ofnou-expectancy OF, or non
prcpa1ation for, an attack from Us. sm as
snrtd from that which can every dsy see, tha
they should harbor feeling Of an entirely op
pts,te from eecu1l'y. They Wl11 certainly nees
al their strength. all their ccleEitg and alert
ness within 3 few days. It only rests with on
Commander to make a few more preparations
aud then for him to give the order, to send
most crushing force upon the fort and the fee
below 1t upon the river. When these prepara
items will be completed and that order given
|. ie lot for any man but Captain Davis; or til
director Of tho Naval or War Department q
.thc United States. to decide. All that the me
:Ask, and all required by the country, Ia tbs
the dt eli aion shall be made as BOON IS possihls
I'll Fulton, the town mentioned IN conuectio
with the reconnaissance made By Capt. Motion
igle, is situated On the Ten3cssec shore, abou
!, she brow of which Fort Pillow is 1ocated-
Lauderdale county, Tennessee. 1t had. pr
vi0us to; the breaking out Of the rebellion,
! population Of 400, and hoasted several VAR