Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-03-06
From the st, Louis Republican,
COLUMBUS.

COLUMBUS.
There is no mistake that the enemy's position
NJ Columbus. Kentucky, is as near impregna-
hle ne the engineering art, added to the natur-
al ,onography of that section OF the country,
a., nole h From what knowledge we have
ooo,,;red in relation to its defences, we should
Jedn, il extremely perilous to attempt its capt
IRE by mere assault, either by land or naval tor
COS or both combined for II the hall tina is
soid of il is true, the place is capable OF pro-
ionacd and successful resistance to any army,
lass than one hundred or one .nundred and fifty
,Lousond strong, that might be sent to attack
II Fortunately, however, Columbus can be
reduced. as we Believe without the necessity of
directing a gun at its formidable works.
In speaking of Columbus, we refer to the
Qualifications aud military works of all kinds
which have been constructed in the vicinity
The town itself is place which, in ordinary
times numbers from one thousand to twelve
hundred inhabitants and is built upon low
ground, sloping gradually to the river bank.
1t is about twenty miles below Cairo, and, by
railroad, one hundred and fifty miles above Mem
phis The town is situated in heavily timbered
region, and protected on the north by range
of limestone bluffs along the river, ranging in
height from fifteen to seventy-ive feet, fanked
at their base by a strip of low land between
them and the river, which overfows in times
of high water These bluffs disappear in roll
ing hills, the trees and brushwood upon which
have been cut down between the upper inrench-
ments and rifle pit more than mile in length.
The upper intrenchments commence opposite
the place where the noted chain was stretched
across the river, and where masked battery
is placed.
Above them the ground is low, wet and
marshy, sometimes completely overlooked. Be
low the upper rifle pit the ground is elevated,
and upon the highest bluffs is strong work
mounting between 20 and 30 heavy pieces-94
and 32-pounders. In the rear, and somewhat
south of this fort, is a triangular redoubt noun
ting about six rihed cannon and eight or ten
eleven-inch shell guns. Between this work and
the river the rebel troops are principally en-
camped, an intrenchment extending from the
town northward and protected by a mortar bat
terry. The Mobile and Ohio railroad enters the
lower part of Columbus proper through an ex-
cavation fifteen feet deep, which thus increases
the natural defenses. Another line ofintrench-
ments extends east from the town, and on the
bluffs opposite Wolf Island there is a fort in
which there are about twenty heav' pieces of
ordnance. There are also other bastions, lun-
cites and fortalices commandins the approach
es on the east, the whole making display of
not far from eighty cannon, independent of field
artillery. Scores of acres of timber has been
felled, forming a heavy abattis, encircing three
sides.
The number of the rebel troops at Columbus
at the present time is not accurately known to
any except those who claim the right to know.
Forty thousand is the figure that has usually
been put down, but there is reason to believe
that this is great exaggeration. Indeed, 1t Is
difficult to see, if there were as many men there
as some have supposed, why some effort was
n IN . ha
hour of its severe trial. Until some better
proof is offered than the statement of interested
parties, we shall be hard to convince that there
were more than twenty thousand Secession
soldiers, if so many, at Columbus.
We have spoken of the natural and artificial
strength of this Manassas of the West'-the
place where according to the New Orleans
Delta, if the field be lost all is lost to the Con-
federate cruise. Yet, spite of all the labor and
means that have been expended to impede the
march of the Union forces upon Memphis and
New Orleans. Columbus must and will fall,
and, in our opinion, very soon. If not volun-
tarily evacuated. it will be invested and starved
out, and Memphis paper, in warning its read
ers of the danger tells us how this may be ac-
complished 1t will be necessary to extend
strong lines from Putney's Bend, ten miles
above Columbus, to Melbourne, point twelve
miles from the river, and thence to Clinton,
which is only four miles from the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad, thus cutting off all land COM
munication. A successful movement against
New Madrid will obtain control of the river be-
low and the only thing then to be done is to
wait for the rebels to consume whatever stock
of provisions they have at the time of the seige
or come out of their intrenchments to fight
against far superior odds.
But we do not think Gen. Polk will delay
until Gen. Grant can surround him and put in.
to operation this plan which the Memphis jour.
nal has kindly furnished, or a better one Of
Gen. Hallecks or his own. Just now Memphi:
itself is in rather too great peril for the Bish-
OPP to tarry at Columbus. He will abandon his
work at the latter place and at Hickman and
Union City and Fort Pillow, and taking what
traps he can conveniently pack up. turn his
face towards the South and begin his backward
march. 1t is even little questionable whether
he will be permitted to transport his men in
that direction by boat or railroad, unless his
reverence is very speedy about it. But it will
all be developed in time