Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1862-04-04
Situation Of Afa;rs on the Mississippi.

t00o0'S"'0O'N
By our telegrars this morning, it will be
seen that New Madrid has neen evacuated by
our forces. Tne following sketch If the cond
ton of affairs of that neighborhood, taken from
the Memphis spondence March 10th Of
the Savannah Republican, will be found inter
e>ting
You have already been advised that the enc
my had Point Pleasant. some ten miles below
N,.w N.ttrid, on the Missouri side OF the river
They hsve fired upon all the boats that have
passed e.r the last two three days and it
may be shey have prevented the passage ct the
boat dHe this afternoon A rumor prevailed
Yesterday that Commodore HolIins had she'll
ed the Federals out of the place, but the state.
ment mould seem To lack confirma ton.
1t is of The highest consequence that the Con
fcderates should heable to luaintan their pres
eht position tho Mississippi river. Island
40 10 is situated just where the boundary line
irtspeu Tennessee and Kentucky strikes the
river and is "A very strong ,siton The re
need be nn doubt ef our ability to hold the Is :
land against the gunhoats nt the enemy. Hlck
man, few miles above, on the Kentucky side,
is also in our possession, and We hold the east
ern bank of the river from that point down TO
New Orleans and below |, is from the ives
tern bank that danger is most to be apprehend
ed.
Our forces q NEW MADRID. on tEo VI iSSOuri
side, are already beseiged, and now an attempt
is being nade To plant battery at Point Pleas
tant, on the same side, few miles lower down
The permanent occupation of either of those
places by the enemy would cut of commune ca
ton with Island No 10 by water, and greatly
endanger that position, if, indeed, it did not
lead eventually to it's Abandonment. To pre-
vent such Disaster it will be found neeessary
70 keep Commodore Hollins' gunhoats constant
ly in motion, and possibly to land heavy force
on the western side of the river, and sweep the
enemy back into the country. s tegf
Taus you will see how difficult it is to hold
the rlver and both of its banks. blocking up
the channel and occupying one side do not pre-
vent the enemy from selzing points on the side
and stopping our boats by means of his batter
les. Nothing but a large land force, in addi-
tion TO efficient water batteries and a full com
plement of transportation and gunboats, can en-
able to hold the river and prevent the des-
cent of the enemy to Memphis and New Or
leans. To do this effectuallya will require great
skill and energy, and an adequate and we'll e.
quipped force. That Gems Beauregard, Polk
and Bragg are equal to the emergency there
need.be no doubt. The OILY ground for appre.
hensioa relates to the means at their command.
The Federa;s have been preparing for months
!or the descent of the river, and they are now
ready and amply provided with men, boats,
/ arms, and all kinds Of supplies. Unfortunately
the same cannct be said Of the Confederates
Eastport on the Tennessee river, being the
3 point where the boundary line between Ala
bama and Mississippi cuts the river, is also a
place of great interest just now. - The enemy
hope to penetrate eur Lines from that point, or
) Florence: and seize. the Memphis and Charles
ton Railroad, and thus to cut off our cofnmuni
cations. Its reported that they have sent q