The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-03-08
Frsna CslJlanbus.
Cairo Marcel

At IL O'clock, Wednesday night last,
our pickets were driven in 1t Columbus
by the rebel cavalry numbering 80. Capt.
Paulding, Of the gunboat ST. Louis, lying
at the landing sent a messenger to Col
Buford asking if he should shell the woods
ia the rear of the town, and having re-
turned with an affirmative answer, the
st. Louis steamed across the river, the
mortar boats took position and shelled the
woods vigorously for an hour. The ed
Illinois cavalry was 1t last accounts in hot
pursuit of the rebels.
At IL O'Clock last night and again at 4
o'clock this morning heavy cAnnonading
Was destinctly heard ct Columbus appar-
emily in the direction Of New Madrid.
Many of the inhabitants Of Columbus
are returning who report they left the town
weeks ago in the fear of depreciation of the
rebel army.
The Rev. General Folks headquarters
upon the bluff present an interesting
spectacle being filled with champagne
bottles, cigar boxes, perfumery cases. toilet
articles, and other unmilitsl y utensils.
Col. Buford still remains in command
Of the town. Adjutant Hahn, Of the SD
Illinois, passed through here last evening
en- route for Chicago. The mortars Of the
feet are all mounted
The Cumberland and Tennessee rivers
are now, in pursuance of General Hal
leck's orders, open for commercial navi-
cation. The Express is the FIRST boat to
avail itself of the new order, and left last
night for Fl. Henry with passengers and
freight.
Agentleman just arrived from Florence,
Alabama, says, the rebels of that section
stand in mortal terror Of the gunboats. -
He asserts there were but two regiments
at Pittsburg when the late skirmish took
place. Many Of the people Whereabouts
are strong Union men.
The reports in regard to Gen. Pope
and his force are very conflicting. The
FIRST Is rumor Of the evacuation of New
Madrid second, that our forces had been
sbelled out BY rebel gunboats. and third
that Gen. Pope had not been within Is.
miles Of the place. The rebel army there
numbers 40. 200 men having been swelled
by large reinforcements from Columbus
and Memphis. They have also 8 wooden
gunboats lying at the landing.
Steamers are rapidly arriving and de-
parting. The weather is very cold here
and there Was q very heavy fall Of snow
last night.
|, From late rebel papers / CLEAN the fol.
towing facts: Gen. Polk, previous to the
evaeaating Of Columbus. ordered every
bridge on Mayfeld Creek and other creeks
to be destroyed.
The Memphis Appeal rays, Columbus,
we Gun positively state, is not to be evacu-
ated, and will not be unless at the point of
the bayonet.
The steamer Cambridge sunk on the
23d near Grand Glaize, Arkansas, and
AZ lives were lost Heavy rains have fal.
len in South Alabama.
The machinery from the various work
shops in Nashville was removed, prior to
the evacuation, to Chattanooga.
The wheat and all growing crops in
the South promise well.
Gen. Bragg is in command at Mobile.
The people Of the South are warmly urg-
ing aud demanding jeff. Davis to take the
field. A bitter contest is going on at
Memphis as to whether the town shall be
burnt at the approach Of our gunboats.
A letter written to Memphis from vir-
ginia states that JEFF. Davis complains Of
: lack of weapons, and that Southern
manufacturers cannot even supply the
waste.