New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1862-03-28

Tie Movement Against fhe Rebe,s-where be Rers
stand-iiow 1hey arc Surrounded. ,as ra.-, .e-
Special Correspondence Of the ST. Lonis Repnblicap] g.
GUNB0AT CoNEsTOGA, March IL, 1862 Since the
Rebels retreated from Columbus, Flag Officer
Foote, whose skillful naval exploits have lately
been SO successful in causing them to abandon their
strongest positions, has been busily engaged pre-
pairing to achieve other victories, and clear the
Mississippi Immediately and thoroughly Of Rebel
obstacles: few days will show the result of his
7labors The future of the Western Navy is now
bright with promise, and it seems almost an impos.
sibilily that any reverse should occur to dim ever
SO slightly its yet honorable record. Z
There may be batteries on the Mississippi banks
far below, where the iron missiles will be hurled
more Hereby and numerously than at Donelson
and fortune tor moment might favor the Rebels,
Dut o. the hnal SUCCESS that will attend Flag Off
Ger Foote'S splendid fleet there is but one opinion
and that Is, when startng-Which they will do to-
morrow-the distractions between here and Mem
phis will prove unavaiIiDg, and the great Benton
be in month at their levee Although Forts Pill
low and Randophar stronger than those of the
Cumberland Or Tennessee, the force against them
will be three times as formidable as any yet used.
Nine gunboats and thirty mortar floats will make
each attack, and any action heretofore will be in
significant when compared to those now approach
ing. The boats have never yet been used. The
Benton, equal to three other boats has been in no
action and if Fort Henry fell in an hour ten times
the number of guns should be able to reduce much
stronger places.
, 1t is the opinion of cautious military men, that
with The mortars once in position, throwing their
immense shell from safe distance, and the gun
boats engaging at" short range, no fort, open as
those of the Centederates all are can be held half
q day without the slaughter of almost its whole
garrison. While the Union glnners work behind
iron shields, their foe will be exposed to terrible
storm ol shell showcred upon them, and which can
be continued if necessary for days Port Royal and
Roanoke will he tame, compared to scenes on the
Mississippi, now near. But as the enemy are
driven closer home, their resistance will become
nd oh uic ho
larger sacrifice of life. Parade and preparation
have passed, and war, every desperate struggle of
which Will make the old world wonder, is upon
the land. It4is useless to say the rebellion is
crushed, and the Davis dynasty two-tllirds buried.
In the southern States, where the Secession hosts
are gathering, battles bloody, probably, as the
modern times have seen, are approaching.
As the Rebel line of defence narrows, their forces
can act more in unison, and formidable bodies can
be gathered instantly at threatened points. AL.
though large armies are sometimes brought to-
gether, 1t is seldom more than few thousand can
engage in action at time, and even though able
to bring superior numbers at each point to bear
upon the foe, the Government will find it sometime
before the Rebels are conquered. Last year many
of our officers were going to eat Fourth of July
dinners in Memphis, and since then every success
has set certain class mad with prophecy. The
military men, who, by caution and perseverance,,
have assisted in winning the victories, do not com
slider the rebellion crushed by any means, bnt in
crease their vigilance and preparation. So al
though the fleet will pass down the Mississippi
and in few weeks be at Memphis and New Or
leans, it is not triumphant entry into subdued
country, but IL route whose passage will be stub
borny disputed, and where one defence taken will
lead to others equally as strong. Flag Officer
Foote sow this, and although pressed to do SO, re-
fused to move until entirely ready, which he now
is. The mortar floats are all manned, the men
drilled, and every gunbcat strengthened in those
places which late actions have showed necessary
It was intended the feet should start o.day
Orders were given for departure at A. NJ, and
all was ready when the move was deferred until
tomorrow. Most probably it WAS done to allow
Gen. Pope sufficient time to perfect Ills means for
cutting off the Rebels retreat. Gen Pope is at
Point Pleasant, ten miles below New Madrid, and
at position completely commanding the river.
In the latter place are stationed l2,000, with
number of transports to assist in flight. Thus,
unless the Rebels cross at once to the Tennessee
shore and escape, they will within week be either
annihilated or taken prisoners They are in e trap
from which it seems difficult for them to escape.
Gen. Pope in their rear completely cuts off retreat
by river, and the feet can reduce the place at
leisure.
This is the news brought by negroes direct from
the Union command, but it seems strange the
Rebels should abandon strong position and re-
solve to make stand at one teebler and but a
short distance away, allowing their retreat to be
cut off II they have done this, they must have
great confidence in the defences of New Madrid
and their ability to drive back any attacking
force.
AT Island No. 10, just above, they have formida-
BILE defences, and the great floating battery,
mounting twelve guns, is there. This battery is
so made that it can be sunk at pleasure, leaving
only foot or less above. the surface, Three or
four steamers, carrying light guns, are also at
New Madrid. Eighty guns are reported in that
place-ten of them rihed pieces. few steamers
will go down from here to tow the mortar floats.
Reports from the Tennessee state that Gen.
Smith had arrived near Florence with his force, and
was going to march Immediately out to Cornth,
engage the Rebels there, and then move as rapidly
as possible across to Memphis. only fifty miles dis
tant large army will then be in the rear of the
Confederate stronghods, cutting OF assistance to
or retreat from them Gen. Grant remains, forthe
present at Fort Henry. 1t is possible the fleet
may leave here before morning. Assstant-Secrc-
tary of War Scott is on board the Benton, and goes
down with the expedition. AS it will be slow
work taking the mortar RATS along. an engage
ment is not probable before day after to- morrow
The Rebel General MCGOWAN, in command at
New Madrid, is considered one of the best officers
in the Confederate service. His troops are said to
qe well clothed and armed.
Advices this evening from Memphis state the
town had been pat under martial law, and a proc
lamation issued sby the Mayor threatening with
death any citizen who should set his hause on fire
for any cause, that of the Federals approach
ing. 90 ".
Later from Europe---Arrivalo of the Africa.
NEw YORK. March l4.--The steamship Africa,
from Liverpool the lst, and Queenstown the 2d in
slant, arrived here at 8 O'Clock.
Gibraltar advices say it was the Lieutenant and
not the Captain of the Sumter, who was arrested.
IN Parliament, Griffith, on the Sd, said that he
would call the attention of the House of Commons
to the subject of final dispatch in the papers re-
latiyc to the blockade 1t from Russell to Lyons
dated July Is. hssays: information shows that,
Charleston and Wilmington various ships have
eluded the blockade"
GoyerumenJ is of opinion that if sufficient ships
are stationed at ports to prevent access or create
1p pfupin 1n nnyvynu RI