American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-03-15
Letter from Decatur.
Especial Correspondence of the Picayunel
DEcAr1rp Al. ILL II Loo

A tremendous rain storm commenced
here this afternoon, and has continued
all the evening with great violence ac-
companied with most vivid lightning and
heavy peals of thunder. Two gentle
men, arrived here to-day from Nashville,
report that the Federal Generals are
becoming more stringent and inso-
lent towards the citizens. Miss Sanders,
daughter of Mrs. A. V. Brown, had
been called on by Gen. McCook, who
sent him word that she could not receive
him as she was in mourning for her coun .
try. The Rev. G.. C. Harris, an Epis-
copal clergyman. had been arrested and
brought before Gen. Nc Cook. for using
the prayer for the Congress and President
of the Confederate States, McCook in
sisting that no Episcopal clergyman had
a right to use any other prayer than that
for the UNITED States" Mr.. Harris
asked if it was the intention of the Fed :
eral army to interfere with the PRAYERS
of the Church. McCook replied, "Yes
sir, / shall" Mr.. Harris was then per-
mitted to depart.
a balloon and apparatus had arrived at
Nashville for making observations of our
army. Also, signal guard of forty
men. for the purpose ofgiving inform alton
at distant points to their army. Six or
eight transports went up the Cumberland
last Tuesday. supposed to be on forag-
ing expedition. Three ferry boats were
running across the Cumberland. Andy
Johnson had arrived at Nashville The
smallpox is reported to have broken
out among the Federal troops at Clarks
vile. The citizens of that place are not
permitted to leave their houses after 8
O'Clock P. VI.
We have news to-day that the enemy
is in force at Paris, Tenn, fifty miles
northeast of Jackson. Also, that three
gunboats, with sixty transports, loaded
with troops, passed up the Tennessee
river yesterday. and landed at Mr.. Will
liam's landing, in the vicinity of Savan-
nah. with the in Intention, it is believed, of
cutting off Johnston's army, and proven
ting junction with that of Beauregard
Johnston's army, which has been wait
ing for the rear to come up, will push
forward in day or two. From the po-
sition of the enemy, who has been ma
king most vigorous movements, battle
on the line from Corinth to Jackson, Tenn.
may be daily expected.
| have been permitted to look at a
Louisville Journal, of the 18th inst,
which L regret L cannot send you. and
form which | extract the following:
Under the telegraphic head Washing
ton, March, IL, it is stated the National
Intelligencer asserts in positive terms
that the Federals occupy Centerville, and
that the rebels have evacuated Manassas,
which is now occupied by their troops
The particulars of n fight at Lancaster
Station, Va. on the 9th inst, are given,
between Gen. Kearney's brigade and an
equal number of our regiments. 1t is
stated our troops were driven back with
loss on both sides, Lieut. w arder of the
Lincoln cavalry. being among the killed.
1t was supposed to be our design to fall
back, first on Fredericksburg, and then
upon Richmond. The Federals occupied
Fairfax Courthouse.
The official report of Com. Dupont had
been received. announcing the capture of
Fernandina, Fla, and Brunswick, Ga.
A dispatch from Cairo, 1lth inst, to
the st. Louis Democrat, says: 1.-TWO
Union men reached here from New Or
leans to-day, report the city pretty well
defended. The only persons not regu-
larry enlisted are Germans and Jews.
The city is full of secret Union Clubs,
and at least 1900 of the citizens belong
to them" %
Al official account is given of the ma
val fight off Newport News. 1t states
$50 men went down with the Cumber-
land when she sunk. besides the killed
and wounded. They estimate their loss
only at 800.
Gen. Curtiss's report, dated at Pea
Ridge, Ark. March 8. of the battle of
Gross Hollows," (Elkhorn,) is also
given. He claims a victory, and says
our forces are scattered in all directions,
but thinks the main body returned to
Boston Mountain. He admits their loss
to be heavy. Asboth and Coils. Davis
and Carr were wounded. Siegel is glo
rifed.
At Cairo, on the 9th. great activity
was manifested in the fleets. All their
gunboats would be completed in a day
or two. The mortar boats were all fin
ished. and to be tested the NEXT day
The Benton's formidable battery is found
too heavy for her power. 1t was re-
ported that our forces were concentrating
Corinth.
Prentice glosts over the Federal sue
cesses with his habitual extravaganza of
expression.
Buckner and Tilghman are in close
confinement at Fort Warren. The Bos-
ton Post gives sketch of them, and in.
cidents of their incarceration, INDUCING
IN vein of insulting abuse, almost equal
10 Prentice's.
An OH PArRror.-Mr. Beazly Camp
bell, residing on Black river. in this par
Ssh, has fourteen sons and grand-sons in