Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-04-21

DXUO8 ~
4 MORE roRaIDA oLB TASK THAN
TMe REDUCTION OF BLAND No.
TEN.
The Fort - be raksn enly b Hard
Fighting.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, April u.
Especial 70 the Chicago Timss.
FORT PILLOW.
Fort Pillow is not, ~ has been rela.
ted 10 some Of the papers, ct Memphis,
but 20 miles above that city, upon what
% known ~ the first Chickasaw bluff.
It 10 10 Landerdale county. Tennessee,
.od il distant from Cairo 1872, and from
New Madrid 81 miles.
Late ajvices brought by our scouts to
leland No. 10. state that the rebels
have virtually abandoned their reputed
stronghold Of Randolph, where they
once thought Of making . stand, and
nave concentrated their forces and artil.
lery At Fort Pillow, which is IL miles
above Randolph. Here the rebels will
tight the Memphis battle, for we hardly
believe, if driven from this point, they
vili be able to make any resistance at
the forts erected near Memphis. Con-
siderations beyond the mere occupation
Of Memphis by Federal troops will urge
them to a pro,rac,ed and desperate re
.istaoce. Gen. Pope, at Memphis, will
be able to co operate with Halleck in
movements upon Beauregard at Co.
rinth, and our gun.boats, once past the
distractions in the river above Memphis
will have clear sailing TO New Orleane.
So that, in q military point Of view, the
rebels at Fort Pillow are not only fight
ing the battle Of Memphia, bat are pro:
.ecting Beauregard's left wing and
shielding NV Orlean,.
The river at Fort Pillow presents much
the same features that it does at leland
No. 10; aud our gun and mortar boats
will be compelled to take = position
which would seem to preclude all hope
of any accuracy in firing. Guarding
the approach by river are eleven water
batteries on the side and at the foot Of
tho bluff, all mounting heavy guns. They
command the broad expanse Of the river
above for a distance of two miles. These
shore batteries extend from the artificial
distractions placed in the river, halt to
three.quar,ers Of q mile up stream, and
10 place almost opposite the point o.
low and overfowed land behind which
our gun and mortar boats are probably
now stationed. The gun.boats have nc
chance except to lie behind the point
and throw shell! across.
Opposite their lower battery the reb'
els have placed distractions 10 the river
impeding its navigation aud throwing
the narrow channel for boats close IL
the bluff, and within very short point
blank range Of their heavy guns.
They have also made ample prepar
atoms for the protection of their real
from attack. On the bluff they have
thrown up Notifications seven miles il
circumference, and consisting Of con
tinuous embankment for their troops
to fight behind, with numerous batter
les to protect all approaches. Thu
country in the rear of the enemy
works is very billy, and engineering
talent has contributed to render tn
Their position IS deemed impregnabl
to any ordinary assault, and will probs
bly, have to by carried by s.orming.
A correspondent, writing from Cairo
states that the rebels at Fort Pillow ar
commanded by Gen. Villipigue, q ma
unknown to fame, but said TO be a yer,
accomplished officer, and one in whom
they have great Confidence. He is
Creole gentleman, and, although un
tried, is believed to be second Beau
regard.
THE LATEST.
FoRr Pillow, April 10.
Fort Pillow is right before us, in on,
very path, a etrong ratification, in ad
mirable position, defended by battery
upon battery, and peopled by thousand.
of rebel soldiery. There are a grea,
number Of the heaviest pieces Of ord
nance in the possession OF the rebe
army here mounted. There are about
eleven batteries on the shore in tn,
curve Of the river, which is much the
same a. at Island No. 10, in regard t
shape. The curve is much broader
however, and the channel sweeps an en-
tire halt circle around the c,rcumter
ence cf broad lake formed by th,
widening Of the river in the bend, thu
exposing boats that may attempt t.
pass 10 gauntlet Of FIVE or six miles 0
open range, for which the batteries ar,
planted. Opposite the last battery Oh
struc,ions are planted 10 the river which
compel boats to pass cloee to the shore
Other distractions are plsced near tn,
upper battery, all of which tend I,
complete most form 'dabie and trouble
some defense. On the hill, in the rea
Of the batteries, is the main fort, an &C
tagonial structure with bastions, mount
ing some IL or Is large guns. Surround
ing this, and embracing a line seve,
mica 10 length, from shore to shore, or,
Notifications consisting Of batteries, rifle
pits, etc., all Of which are being in
creased and strengthened by all mean
in the power Of the rebel army.
TITS position must be taken BY har,
fighting. There are no traps to catcl
the rebels in ~ at Island No. 10. Al
is plain open country in the rear, ant
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