Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-01-09
AFFAIRS IN DIXIE.
A BLUE, LOOK
From late southarn papers we take the fol.

lowing: rg
ALARM AT MEMPHIS.
We have received q copy of the Memphis
Appeal, from which We make the following
extracts of report of safety meeting held
In that city q few days since
Mr.. A. P. Merrill, the chairman, in stating
the object Of the gathering, said, that after
months Of preparation we found ourselves in
great jeopardy in reference to the defence of
the Mississippi valley. Our force was not
large enough to protect the city. The time
had come when We had to endaBger our own
lives in the defence of our fresides. Every
house had arms to use when the enemy ap-
preached, but it was sad mistake to suppose
that Memphis was to be successfully defend
ed when the enemy had passed Fort Pillow.
Every one who had gun should either use it
himself, or give it to some one who would use
It.. 1t is now time to act, to organize. We
need an organization which will bring out our
military resourcss-our guns and other wea-
pons Of defence. The enemy is marching upon
Us in immense force, and with iron fleets, and
we owe it to ourselves to make preparations
to assist and secure our friends whe are strug-
Cling fer our defence.
Mr.. Watson then came forward and said that,
while at Columbus, he made particular inquir-
les Of our officers and men, and all concur in
one sentiment, and urge upon US to come into
the army and assist them. They had had
terrible battle, and found that the enemy they
had to meet there was a different sort Of ma
terial from those met at Manassas, Bull Run
and Leesburg. They were men who would fight
face to face until the last man was slain, as was
shown in the first that one whole regiment was
cut down except forty-three men. He said he
knew all about the force at Colambus-that
Bowen was at Pelicisna, and so strongly forti-
fed that they could whip the devil. The pre-
sumption now is that Lincoln's forces will be
sent down the Mississippi from the Kentucky
s. TIorv IL 20 Il
Cairo and Psducah, and flank US Oh the right
and left. If they succeed in fanking Col Bow
en-, they have only few miles to 60 to tear up
the railroad, and 90 to the river and sink our
boats, thus cutting off our subsistence supplies
and taking Columbus without firing gun. He
said that the privates in the ranks say that
il they new our people here were doing
their whole duty, it would enable them to do
ten times as we'll. He said that the army at
Columbus called upon us to organize and ceme
and help them. He appealed to every man to
offer himself and fill up every artillery company
that has not now the means Of being worked
effectively.
When the enemy takes Columbus, it is folly
to talk about saving Memphis. There is not
an artillery company but what can ind accom-
mOdations for fifty men. Go and help the flying
artillery-go and help the heavy artillery.
Fort Pillow has not enough men to man the
fOrti6eations. There are plenty Of guns there.
but not enough men. Our great duty now is to
go where the fight is to be at-Columbus and
Feieiana-and attempt to keep them from
hanking Bowen and Polk. He said that Gen.
Pillow informed him that application to call
out the militia for the Western District had
been made to Gov. Harris, and he hoped there
was no man who would wait for the call of the
militia. He said that resolutions should be
passed to close business hours at O'Clock, to
drill, and that men with rifles, shot guns,
pistols, and even knives and blades, should
organize, and by Tomorrow night We should
know how many guns we have in our midst.
In conclus on, he urged every man, old and
young, spectators and all, TO go to work, or
ganiIe into companies, or join the ranks and
fill up others, and resolve to fight and die by
those now battling for our rights. This would
encourage our men, and make heroes Of all
who can bear gun or strike for their country.
Mr.. Howard then came forward, and briefly
but fOrcibly addressed the meeting. He said
we ought to fight the enemy at Columbus, for
when they passed Fort Pillow he was willing,
for one, to make a Moscow Of Memphis He
feared that there were those among US who
ought not to be here. Our movements were all
known to the enemy. We ought to organize,
and II we have no guns, 90 up as blank regi-
ment and take the guns Of the enemy as they
fall. He thought we had about 600 men in
our city who could be spared to fight at Colum
bus. He was willing TO 90 with such weapons
his neighbors
The meeting res assembled at $50 P. NJ, when
Rev. Mr.. Tn omp son, Chairman Of the Commit
tee, read the resolutions and address which We
have already published.
Mr.. Somerville moved to lay the address on
the table. He regarded it as calculated to
raise panic in the country. He subsequently
Withdrew his motion to enable the meeting to
pass upon the other resolutions.
The remaining resolutions were then taken
up, and adopted, except the last one, which
was laid on the table.
Objection having been made to the publics-
ton of the address because it would create
panic, Mr.. Topp said it was only by creating a
panic that some people could be aroused to
discharge of their duty -
Finally, the fifth resolution was reconsidered
and the address adopted with much unanimity
THINGS AT MEMPHIS.
From the Memphis Argus Dec 10
tits time, more than time, that the people of
these States should awaken more fully to the