New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-11


No. 3, without the least authority or consultation
with any of it's army navy officers, went to the
CITY wharf under flag Of truce aud had, or assumed
10 have q conference with some OF the citizens In
gard to the fate of Memphis.
The proceeding was 30 informal and absurd that
its exact nature is not worth mentioning. Col
EIet, by-the-bye, though an energetic and able ON
Ger. has made himself unpopular by arrogating to
himself because the rams belong to neither branch
of the service powers that are not HIS ana tue eX
ercise of which has placed him more than once IN
ridiculous position. Assigning the rams to neither
the army nor navy give rise to much misunderstand
ing and confusion, and ought to be renedied at once
Such independence is anomalous and absurd III tne
extreme. as All experience at Fort Pillow, Randolph
and Memphis has proved.
OUR FORMAL OCCUPATION OF THE CITY.
Soon after the ram iasco, DIR. Dickerson and sew
eral other prominent citizens OF Memphis went on
board the hagship to inquire Of Com. DAVIS bis m
tentions toward the city, and what would De ms iu
ture course of action. The Commodore replied that
he would send Capt. Phelps to confer with the
Mayor, Ut the same time informing the representa-
tyes OF Memphis that the surrender Of the town
would be demanded.
Capt. Phelps soon after waited upon the mayor
with tie following note:
UyirHp STATES FIAGsTEAyBR BESTos,}
OFF MEMPHIS June 3, 1862 )
SIR have repeatedly 70 Request s, you T saGenasr
the City Of Memphis to the auhory oil the oned states
which have the houor 10 Represent
lam, Mr. Mayor with l.irh respect, .
obi. Honor The ri Mayor Of the City Of Memphis.
TIE answer of the Mayor who is, and always
has been, Unionist, was as follows:
MAYORS OFFICE MEMPHIS. June 6, 1852
SIR Your note Of this received and noted
In reply have only to say that as the civil authores
70 yS' H. ai Dsv FsS oeef &C. &C.
Commander Davis also wrote this note to the
Mayor:
UsirKp srArys fL,e.SrE,spe BryToS.
orr MRxpHis Junee 1901.
SIR: The undersigned. commanding the naval nilitary
forces Of the nsd Suites In fiou, OF Monphii has the honor
say the Mayor and the city that Col Fitch commanding
tie Indiana brigade, will take military possession nine'
Col Fitch will be happy receive the cooperation o. he
Honor the Mayor and tbs city au,horte- il manieinins
his Honor the Mayor the Military HsrdgnarteTs 1t O'CLOCK
''"' '''e'H''"' Flag Officer Commanding etc.
To his Honor tue Mayor Of the City Of Memphis
APPEARANCE OF MEMPHIS.
Iris conference war held at the appointed hour,
understand. and satisfactory arrangements were
made between the military power and the ciyil au'
thorities. This, however, was little more than q
form for the people generally we're as quiet anu
After the naval engagement, part OF the great
crowd on the Bluff and levee dispersed, but others
came 10 fill their places and the number was hardly
decreased.
The stores in Front Row, Main, Second, Poplar,
Washington, Adams, Monroe, and al. the principal
streets were closed, and the city bore most Sab
bath-like semblance Indeed, during walk OF sev-
eral hours through the town, hardly remember to
have seen dozen stores open, and am quite sure
! have known Sundays much less quiet than this
day has been.
REBEL FLAGS IN THE CITY.
The only Secession colors flying in public places
were one from tho Post Office and the other from
large mast.lke poe standing the Bluff in front OF
the city. The first was removed by q Lieutenant OF
tue Indiana brigade, with = squad Of men, vino
were followed by large crowd, who seemed excl
ted but offered neither insult nor opposition. There
were few weak sporadic cries for jeff DAVIS but
they awoke no sympathy apparently and the fragile
cropping ont OF Rebellion died before 1t was ifiry
born The stars and bars were hanging out OF the
Office of THE Memphis ArdidHche, on Jefferson
street and the Lieutenant, enteJlng the establish
ment, ordered the symbol of treason to be taken
down, which was done accordingly, and the squad
marched quietly away.
THE MEMPHIS PRESS.
The Memphis Argus displayed flag, and The
NSmpLis Appeai. which / mentioned IN former
letter bad become the organ Of the most ultra school
of Secessionists has been removed TO Grenada,
Miss. and was not of course tangible These are
the only daily journals in the city, aud they are III
most embarrassing state Of finances at present, and
have been suffering from the came cause for many
months. The APPEAL was proapering greatly, and
proved yery profitable NJ q Conservative Democratic
paper up 10 the time of the Rebellion but since then
it has been steadily and rapidly losng money.
Tie AcaiaRcle was violent Pro-Slavery journal
from the beginning, aud an extreme advocate OF
southern State Rights, aud 10 continued until some
six months ago, when it became rather conservative,
owing TO causes mentioned IN previous letter. DIR.
Jeptha Fowlkes is the chief proprietor and con-
trolcr Of TIE irGfgRctc. and there Is little doubt
will advocate the Union before many weeks.
The Argus had brilliant prospect for a new
journal, and was doing remarkably well until Ten
nessee was carried out OF the Union. Since then il
has grown very sckly and experienced no little diff
fculiv in surviving Oh half sheets Of wrapping
paper.
SECESSION FLAG cur DOWN.
The flag ON the bluff had been nailed 10 the pole,
and could not be removed without cutting down the
pole. This was not done until o'clock this after
noon a squad OF infantry having been placed there
10 guard the dag or prevent any disturbance. The
Rebels had nailed the colors 10 the pole that our
Union soldier might not pull il to the ground, but
had hardly anticipated the saving of the post IN two.
large crowd stood around the Rebel flag all the
afternoon when they learned 1t would De cast 10 the
earth, thinking there might be trouble, though no
one knew exactly how or why. The pole EEL, and
the crowd cheeIed loudly but no one hissed, aud no
one lroaned.
Doubtless Secession flags had been flying from M
merous buildings befors the arrival Of the fotla,
but they had been removed out of consideration for
Yankee gunpowder, not Yanses LOYALTY. Indeed
the people of ENTHUSIASTICALLY the S:ccssionsts
were greatly alarmed lest the gunboNs would
shel and destroy the city, and several Of the rebel
lious gentry asked me my orinioa on the subject,
and seemed TO feel much easier when the idea was
pro- ounced perfectly absurd
That Memphis deserved leyelipg with the ground
for the tyranny and cruelty OF many of It's citizens
there is no doubt; but there were and are many true
ind LOYAL people here who have suffered with the
guilty, and would have suffered still more had eX-
IRENE measures been adopted.
Tli. UNION SENTIMENT OF MEMPHIS.
Tie yexcl question o. the extent of the Union
sentiment of Memphis has been solved, nnd must
.ay mich more satisfactorily than lad anticipated.