Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-01-21
LATE NORTHERN REPORTS FROM
CAEaD.
FIR .rsrancc Cop,sreness.

Correspondence Of TIE ST Louis Republican,
CAIRO, January 8.-The long season Of mac
| ton is at last closing, and events that determine
the fate of the rebellion crowd rapidly forward.
The curtain that has for months yelled silent
preparation, is slowly lifting, and the actors in
the coming scenes OF blood step boldly out upon
the stage. The signal bell has rung at Wash
ington. and with the world for an audience,
/ Union soldiers VIII now perform their part, 1t
is no elashing of wooden swords, and mock uag-
edy succeeded By a farce, but every thrust Will
be a hearty and earnest one, and scores OF happy
wives and children viii learn, when battles are
over, that thew are widows and orphans. But
the cause in which they fall may do much TO
make the vacant places seem less desolate. Dig
ging and toiing has for months, and ever since
the day of Manassas closed in disaster, been the
lot Of Union soldiers. Having left the pillow and
utensils Of industry, 20 grasp the musket, they
failed to appreciate digging INST ad OF hghtng
their way 10 glory and crushing the reDelnOn by
means Of spades. Tomorrow, when they learn
Of the coming movement, every hitherto silent
camp viii be a beehive Of busy preparation, and
Judging from past instances many q glad shout
viii go forth. 1t is impossible to tell what the
movement will be, but it is one evidently Of con-
siderable magnitude. All the means of trans
portatiOn at command are TO be ready tomorrow
at noon, i've days rations are to be prepared and
eighty rounds of ammunition taken.
On Friday morning the expedition starts, the
point Of departure being Fort Holt, on the Ken
lucky shore. Of the real object of the expedi-
ton, ana the number 10 be engaged in it, Twill
venture no opinion, as it might let the rebels
know exactly what they wish to. One thing is
apparently evident, and that is, that we will not
return without a battle, and one Of some magni-
tude, unless the COGfederates retreat
The soldiers are better drilled, better armed
and twice as effective as at any time since the
war broke out. Camp Beauregard, a short dis
lance from Mayfeld, Kentucky, viii doubtless
DO visited first, aud if the rebels stand, a battle
will be fought there. At Camp B. there are now
about eight thousand secession troops, and as
they are fortified, a desperate stand viii be highly
) probable. Could reinforcements be sent from
Columbus, the Union troops would have to con
tend against heavy odds. But half q dozen of
/, the gunboats are ready for action, and under
command Of Commodore FoOte, will keep the
garrison occupied there meanwhile. A~ccompa-
nying the expedition, l viii be able TO send the
earliest possible intelligence in regard to its pro-
/ gress and results. Gen Grant viii command IN
/ person, and a force from Paducah viii join that
from here, l understand.
AS / write, tokens of the glad excitement at
? some of the camps is manifest by the loud cheer.
ing that comes on the night air across the dreary
/ waste of mud between here and the barracks
Tomorrow Gen. McCieruand and his brigade
; leave for Padueah, and their late quarters will be
3 occupied By the new arrivals.
AtBird's Point, the expedition which left t.
capture & cavalry force near Charleston, were
not only unsuccessful, but suffered a disaster
The troops-in ell some 1900 in number, an6
under tn, command Of Col. Purchell-wer
marching rapidly, about midnight, to arrive Al
and surround tue hostile camp when they were
70 g,1Io,1- sd ,,,on br4 Ia 80 u.ho h~I 1,ur-or
of their coming dizzy in ambush. The soldiers
Immediately discharged a volioy in return, but i
is not known with what effect, while the cavalry
: pursued, but unsuccesslully. -Four were killed
and ten wounded on the Union side, all of whom
belonged to the Iowa Tenth. Il was impossible
Z to obtain names this evening. Col Purchells
command eneamped on the spot where they
were fred at, and the enemy, having fled beyond
reach, they returned next morning to Bird:
Point, in pursuance Of orders.
Toe floating batteries, about which so much
has been said, bid fair, after, after all. not to be
brought into use. They aye lying at the ievee
with no guns on, and Gen. Halleck, I under
stand, has concluded not TO use them.
Special Dispatch to the St Lonls Republican,
CAIRO, January 9-The great expedition l.
ready to start, and viii do so tomorrow, if thS
weather becomes more favorable. AT present
= there Is q dense fog, and it has been impossible
during the day 10 see more than fifty yards. IL
. consequence The boats are unable TO move
and those on the way from st. Louis nave no
: yet reached here They cannot before tomorrow
noon. The soldiers are all embarked on the
steamers, and most Of the wagons are also. Tn,
y troops are in the highest spirits over the fOrW arc
movement, and are impatient at any prospect O
= delay.
The feet, 1 understand, win ascend the Ten
nessee river for some distance, but their fna
destination is Of course not known. A consider
, able body of cavalry viii start at the same tim,
from Birds Point, going overland through Ken
lucky, and joining with the main army at som,
point not yet known.
. On the last trip Of the Courier from Evans
vile, a government agent on board discovered
J. aud seized four hundred dollars worth of quinine
% 1t was concealed in the lining of a carpet sack
$ SECOND DISPATCH.
I CAIRO, January 10, Is62-The big expedition
viii probably start about noon to-day. Every
steamer ct the ieyee is loaded and prepared t
leave. The gunbOsts are also ready, and from
, present appearances the expedition win 60 in
: few hours.
The weather has become very pleasant. al
/, though rather warm, and the heavy fog of yes
: terday has vanished.
THIRD DISPATCH.
e CAIRO, January 10 Part Of the expedition
= has left here, going down the river. The bal
:, ance of the troops viii start in a few hours.
think they viii go down TO Fort Jefferson, foUl
miles below Birds Point, and there disemhark
n | u,orebfnr az ouea torvor4s .ars,sr vot-Fs ia, -