Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-02-01
FROM HE sGUTH ATLANTIC
COAST.

FROM the Savannah Republican, January 81
We had quite an excitement in the city yes
terdsy. caused by ID report that six vessels Of the
enemy had entered the river back Of Little Ty-
bee, aud had passed up to the north portion Of
Wilmington island, 10 a position where they
could readily shell vessels passing up aud down
the river. This report was brought by the Ida,
on Der return trip from the fort, and she bore
the marks Of its truth about her. Several shots
were fred at her on her passage up, and a shell
exploded in some twenty feet of her, iDjUTing no
one, but breaking q portion Of the glass about
the bust by the conclusion. Should they be
allowed to remain where they are, the nRyiga-
ton Of the river may be considered as closed to
un2cmed vessels.
We saw two gentlemen last evening who were
hunting in q boat at the north end Of Whining
, ton when the Yankees made their appearance.
They shelled the island in every direction, and
/ indicated by their movements that they intended
to eject = landing at ScTeveu's plantation. The
chsnpel leading 10 the city around the north end
OF Wilmington was heavily piled some months
ago, and Il viii be impossible for the Yankee
b0sts to pass until the obstructions shall have
been removed. which will prove no easy task.
Should he enemy succeed in maintaining his
present position, communication with Fort Pu-
iRski will be cut OF, for the reason before sta
ted, though we have the means o. making their
berth Anything but a comfortable one. The
fort is wen supplied with provisions and water,
perhaps enough for six months, and mas little 10
fear from an attack.
Upon the arrival Of tRe Ida, information was
Immediately communicated 10 the military and
naval authorities, who took prompt measures 10
meet the emergency. Unfortunately, Gem. Tat
nails little feet was At Tbunderboit, having been
attracted by the waTlike demonstrations Of the
enemy IN Warsaw sound, and to remove hs yes
ssls TO town was : matter of immediate and
pressing importance. We were at IhundeTbOlt,
when the feet turned their heads up stream, aud
Notwithstanding they had to pass in the neigh
borhoOd Of the enemy, the commodore was
hopeful Of getting through IN safety. He had
not arrived when this was written, but viii prob
ably be up in the course Of an hour. He was
determined, if opposed, to fight his wa through,
which p e believe he is fully able to do. Though
We shall hear fully before we 90 topTess, and viii
add whst We have to say in ; postscript.
All the vessels that went into Warsaw, Satur-
dsy afternoon, left yesterday morning, but eight
Of them returned in the afternoon.
It Is but proper that we should sIhoft our
people 10 be calm and resolute under the cirsUm-
stances that now surround them. We D. not
consider the city IN any immediate dsrser, j "a
danger II al, and hence, can eco no ground ior
alarm, whilst we have f~ry reason TO be duIEent
in our preparation - meet every emergency "shas
may arse.
7 s-Just as cur country edition goes TO
press, We ere gIatiied to DC able to announce
the safe arrival Of the commodore and his yes
sells. There were seven vessels at the north end
Ct Wilmington, engaged in efforts to remove the
piing across the channel.
The Neu5 Of the same date, referring to the az
fair, says:
The steamer Ida arrived from Fort Pulaski
about half past two o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Shortly after leaving the fort, her officers obsory-
ed that several Of the eneny's guuboats that Lad
been lying IN the rear Of Little Tybee, got under
way and were rapidly approaching the Ida
through a cat called FREEDOMS Creek, which
! leads from Little Tybee into st. Augustine creek.
The Ida put on al steam, but, by the time she
} reached q point opposite Cabbage Island, six OF
the g~unboals were in full view, ami one supposed
to be not more than q mile and q half distant
opened FIRE. The first shot passed the stern Of
E the Ida. The second passed some ten OF fifteen
feet over her walking-beam, the third, a shell
exploded within a few feet of her bow, the con.
%cussion of its explosion SCATTERING The glass Of
T her sky-ight. Two other shots were fired at the
: Ida, but fell considerably short. The Ida made
S good speed to the city, where she arrived with
: out injury.
8 The Ida reports two gunboats lying at the
5 Carolina side at the mouth Of Walls Cut, near
y where our demonstrating party destroyed theil
huts on Sunday.
The Mosquito fleet, which went down the rivel
e in the morning, and was understood to have
gone to Skidaway, returned to the city last even
ing.
The appearance of the enemy's guuboats II
cur creeks took cur citizens somewhat By sur
: Prise, as It was believed that the minor iniets 4
our harbor had been efectuaIly 0bstructed. w
: are not sufficiently acquainted with the creek
1 and cats leading into our min channels tc
know whether the enemy's vessels can eome
IN through them, and thus cut of our commu
p n%icatio1 with Fort Pulaski and our other FORTH
cations.