Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-11-24

the Tallahstchie river, and their policy was 10
| get vel IN position before the Fedsrss could
come upon them to disturb them. They sue
eeeded, suppose; at any rate they and all be-
/ longing 10 them, got safely and quietly out Of
Holly Springs.
HOW THE NEWS CAME.
Gen. McPherson's expedition seemed to es-
tsblish the fact that Van Dorm had not lefr HOl-
/ ly Springs. When he re urned, with q report
that the enemy had drawn up in line Of battle
at C0ldwater II was believed that nothing but
/ defeat would induce them to leave On yestsT-
/ day the llih, however Two citizens (Irishmen)
csme from Holly Springs on a hard car on the
/ Mississippi Central railroad, and made q state
menE which lefi no doubt that the piacs had
/ been evacuated. They stated that on the S.h
/ they arrived at Holly Springs from below They
applied for permission to come through the rebel
lines, which was denied them. They were
/ threatened with death sh uld they be caught in
/ any attempt to como this way They accord
/ ingly remained in town until the rebel pickets
were called 10, when they started FOR this place
/ by The means Of tbs locomotive which have
mentioned They assured the authorities here
I that when they left Holly Springs there was not
regiment Of rebel troops in the place, and even
these were preparing for departure.
Shortly after the arrival Of these swo men,
deserteT from the Confederate ranks care in,
| and confirmed every thing lhsy had said A
battalion Of Illinois csyalfy was sent out to as-
certain how matters stood Ia she direction Of
Holly Springs, and q courier returned last night
with the inielhgencs that they had reached ihs
town without m0lestati0n by the rebels, and that
there was no foe in ina place I think, from sl
this, It may be set down IS fact ihai the rebels
are going South.
no FIGHT IN PROSPECT.
It is a very TsH srkable question now whether
tho rebels il this department. intend 10 fght or
whether they hsvs adopted the running policy,
with the intention Of AdherinF 70 it. ColdEater,
where they were, Is a good position fJr defense,
and they had strengthened il by tbs erection Of
earthwoTks Or 8 small scale The Tsllahatchis
river, 70 which it IS supposed they have gons, IS
also an excellent stand point, and possibly the
rebels may be pleased 70 make battle ground
| on its banks In any event, this retreat from
| Holly Springs pOstponss the engagement that
few days ago ssened imminent General Grant
will make Holly Springs bis base Of operations
I presume, and 70 do 50 will require two weeks
in repairing the Mississippi Central railroad b.
tween here and thers About six milss below
Grand Junction the Davis Mills trsssel, three
quarters Of 8 mile long, IS = eomplets wreck
Two OF three small bridges are also burned, and
will have 70 be rebuilt Tha war in the southeast
is q war Of railroads: and think General Grant
viii advance no faster than he can repair and
defend wha. Is abandoned By the enemy. Tax
lug every thing into consideration, the prospect
for battle before the holidays is very dim iuyt
now; albeit, it may be Frightened before sunset
10 day Of course we cannot calculate with any
I degree Of certainty in such matters
The seeessionis.s Of this place, who appear to
be en- rapport with the rebel generals SIN avow
that il is the int-ntion Of Bragg to reinforce Van
Dora. Bat Van DJrn would scarcely Tstreas
Sauth II he expected Bragg to come 70 his relief
because every mile he travels toward Grenada
and Jackson Wsuld give Bragg an additional
mile to make IN order 10 reach hin- True, It
would be better policy for him 70 retreat in Or
der to avoid battle, even witE the certainty Of
temporarily increasing the distance between him
sud bis reinforcements than to stand and be
overwhelmed. One thing is eeTtsin, if Bfagg is
permitted to reinforce Vaa Dorm, Roseersnz will
be assigned to the Chippewa department in