The New York herald., 1862-02-21

/,
ha shouted their welcome and hailed their national fas
,,ilh an entAusiasm there was no mistakng; it was
,fesaine and HEARTFELT These words speak volumes
En bound down as they were, they shouted; and that
they were under the influence Of rebel tyranny too
evident from the following expression taken from the
report which place the officer quotes their Words
as folows-f we dared express ourselves freely you
would hear such a shout greeting your coming y
YOU never heard. We know there maoy Uroust
among u.s. but reign Of terror makes us afraid
our shadows" Now, however, as they find they ar
likely to get protection from the United states govern
msnt they ready aid in carrying out the Law and
the constitution.
sBrng us small organized force, said they, with
arms and ammunition for us, aud maintain our
position and put down rebellion in our midst" Thu
they spoke and before they receive the arms an
attempt is made 20 cripple the rebels, by s9yerng the
principal Of communication between their forces
in the East and those in the West II may be argued
that this report only applied 10 Florence, in Alabama
What the distance Som Florence TO DecaturY by the
railroad little forty miles, and apparently about
the same by the river AS the Union feeing was
manifested along the banks of the whole length of the
river from Fort Henry Florence, there can be but
little doubt Of its for forty miles further
The Union feeling is doubtless strong all through the
northern part Of Alabama and IL wants but the support
OF the government Of the United States to cement the
feeling strongly TO cause general uprising oil the
Unlonlsts in that part of the country. Wherever the
flag of the Union appears, it is hailed with JOY and en-
thusias and hundreds nay thousands, will, if opportu-
nifty be offered dock TO the standard of true liberty
SKETCH OF DECATUR.
Decatur is thriving post village OF Morgan county,
Alabama and is situated the lett bank of the Tennes
see river. 1t is thirty miles westsouhwest of Hunts
vie--an important town of that State--and is the
eastern terminus Of the railroad from Memphis ria Tus
cumbia, Florence, from which latter place IL IL
distant about forty miles IL is one hundred and eighty
eight miles from Memphis, one hundred and twenty-five
miles Nashville about two hundred and thirty miles
from Knoxville, hundred and ten miles from Rich
mond Va, 1--WE hundred and sixty seven miles from
Charleston Co. and about hve hundred and fifty miles
from ,annah, Ca, by railroad. is about two hun
dred mis in an air line from Montgomery, Ala about
three hundred fifty miles from Mobile by railroad and
n little over FIVE hundred miles from New Orleans by the
same conveyance All these points, directly ndrccty'
are connected with Decatur by railroad and the desiruc
on Of the bridge here separates all those places cast Of
tho village from all those west Of the same, leaving
other means OF railroad communication.
sKETCn OF BRIDGEPORT.
Bridgeport is a small post village Of jackson county,
Alabama u Is situated the Tennessee river, along
the line Of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad which
road crosses the river by means of bridge II is one
hundred and twenty three miles southeast from Nash
vllc and twenty eight miles west from Chattanooga.
The railroad from Memphis joins this line about miles
nearer To Nashville, at place called Stevenson, the
trains from both points running eastward through Bridge
port on the same track The value OF this bridge s
once apparent at glance.
Lieutenant Phelps OAiciaI Report of the
Tennessee River Expedition.
The following official report Of Lieutenant Phelps
than confirms the statements evously given of tho
wonderful outbreak Of Union sentiment at the South
UNITED STATES GusBoAT CoNrsueAl
nxsEssps RUks, Feb. 10, 1867.
FLAG OflCtJ A. H. F0oIE, UNITED SrAyEs NAVY COMMAND
ISc NAVAL FoRcEs WETRRN WATERS -:
Ssoon after the surrender of Fort Henry. the 9th
instant proceeded, in obedience TO your ORDER the
Tennessee river with the Taylor, Lieutenant Commanding
Gwin; Lexington, Lieutenant Commanding Shrk, and
this vessel forming division OF the hotia and arrived
after dark at railroad crossing twenty five miles
above ths fort, having ON the way destroyed small
eanp equipage abandoned by the fly rebels
The draw n the bridge found closed, and the
chincry for IL turning disabled About hef mile above
several rebel transport steamers escaping up
stream.
party landed and in hour had the satiefac-
tion to see the draw Open The Taylor being the sowest
OF tho Sunboats- Lieutenant Commanding Gwin landed q
force ~ destroy portion of the railroad track to
cure such military stores as might be found while d.
rscted Iieutcnant Commanding shrk TO 'olow with
AL speed In chase OF the deeing boats In tive hours this
b.at succeeded in Forcing the rebels TO abandon and burn
those Of telr boae loaded with military stores The
lrst Cred Samuel orr had board quantity Of
submarine batteries, which very exploded The se-
cond one freghed with powder cannon shot crane
balls GA,. Fearing explosion from the 1red boas
there ware two tgothery had stopped at distance OF
Lroken hy tsle conotsion the light upper deck was
ral,ed bodily doors foroSd open and locks and
fastenings evcrywhcre broken.
Tho whole river, for half q NILE round about, wa