The New York herald., 1862-03-04


conagraton directly In the line Of Columbus and appa
rently about as far distant.
ST. LOUIS, March 8, 1902.
special despatch to the Democrat from Cairo. March
q says that great light in the direction Of
Columbus last night 1t Ia generally believed that the
rebels thore have burned everything Of naammabe
nature.
Prominent officers believe that Columbus was burns
last night. The rebels said to be fortyng Island
No. 10, thirty-nve miles below Columbus, which place
they will fall back upon High ground 10 found the
Island which is well adapted for planting batteries to
command the river.
The Evacuation OF Columbus.
The news now appears definite that Columbus has
really been evacuated. Contradictory accounts have
often reached that II became difficult to decide whe-
ther or not the rebels intended 10 give their "Gbra
tar Of the Mississippi" Commodore Foote'S despatch
from Cairo, however, under date Of March l. puts the
matter beyond Doubt for he reports that Lieutenant
Commanding Phelps, sent with nag Of truce to Column
bus, had returned and had given certain very good
sons for his belief that the place beirg evacuated
and that tho rebels burning the village military
Stores &C. This statement, coming ofcially, carries
reliability upon its face. t
VALUE OF COLUMBUS 70 rHE REBELS.
That the rebels believed the place valuable stra-
egc point Of view there can be no DOUBT The New Or.
Our dependence present for the safety of this city
from the approach Of formidable expedition down the
river s upon Columbus That Is the Northern Key II,
gates Of wpasom .OU be opened and We would be con
fronted with terribc dangers and the whole country
realize full assurance that such dangers will not occur
md that such evils will never impend. That condition s
the impregnabity Of General Poks position at Columbus.
But may be asked not that position already strong?
Strong undoubtedly has boon the enemy gunboats
that batteries found out and as his army
point Of its defensive works. in the resolution Of It's defend
ers, and the vigilance prudence ability energy Of It's
commanding general But in war strength is relative.
Although speaking 20 confidently, yet the Delta seemed
to have it's doubts relative to the power Of the rebels
hold the place. After aludng to the fact that General
Polks application for renforcements had to great
tent faed and calling upon tho people to enlist and
Eight the invader" II concludes It's remarks the fol-
lowing dolefu straip:-
General udeau, who has charge Of the heavy artillery
at Columbus Is also in tho city, and corroboraies all
men from this city to General Pok's reinforcementp II
Is safo to say, perhaps, that much larger number
could Dc spared at present. especially as they could be
which Is now not foresecn At oil events Columbus de-
mands the earnest attention Of authorities. The
enemy Is making last effort, and should be ready
meet 1t enectualy everywhere but above all to meet IL
eIectually at Columbus. We have only TO stand our
ground for sixty days. and tho enemy will sink In exhaus
ton and despair But he pu drink neuo hope and ls for
an i,dsfnae proongation Of e car If zoe fail sad our
ground at Columbus
When this article was written Fort Henry had not
fallen, Fort Donelson had not been captured Carksvlc
had not been taken possession OF by troops Bowling
Green had not been evacuated were not
in possession Of Nashville. These little incidents may
have made slight alterations in their calculations
but yet the above remark still holds good that f they
fai'-and thoy have faled-"to stand their ground at
Columbus, our troops twill drink hope and life" !"
Tho rebol armies had two powerful wings at Bowling
Green and Columbus but adequate centre, body.
Therefore, have cut through their body tho wings
have both died natural death.
The Bowling Green Of the rebels is now no more and
Columbus Ia nearly not quito in like situation They
until recently places scarcely known outside Of them
Selves but now they will down 10 postsrty places
Of evcntful history high monument should be raised
at both places with sho words cach "hs was to bo
rebel Gibraltar but the spirit Of the people, rising
support the integrity Of the United States
caused 70 leave this stronghold In disgracen That
Columbus was strong our map plainly shows, and tho
following sketch will help "a make the same The moro
comprehensive 70 readers
THE STRENGTH OF COLUMBUS.
Columbus, KY. 10 situated the southern slope Of
high bluff tho east side Of the Mississippi river and
Ia In the midst Of heavily timbersd region The rebels
had carefully avaed themselves Of oil the advantages
which the forest presented facilitate tho defence Of the
place.
Few places in tho South are capable OF being more
strongly defended than this was, and nothing had bocn
left undone TO render 1t mprcgnable Tho rebel force
there supposed to have been about 900 men, the
great portion Of whom were enlisted for the war and
well armed. The sixty days men wero but few in num-
bcr and poorly armed.
The fortincations wore well supplied with cannon,
three Of which wsre ono hundred and twenty esht.
Founders, which placed in such position az 70
command tho river from the highest point OF tho bluff Al
least sevonty-1vs feet above low water mark Tho
number Of guns certainly did net fall below eighty and
probably reached one hundred.
The forticatons nearest Cairo consisted Of battery
Of fourteen guns generally thirty two FOUNDER raed
cannon and the battery Of numbered and twenty.
eight FOUNDERS already referred As tho former was
situated on tho river bank could have beon reached
by our shot without any greater dculty than was OK
perencc al Hilton Head and Hatteras; but tho latter
would certainly have taken greater difficulty 70
silence.
On the northern slope Of the bluff two light bat
teres and rife pitt milo in length, which were do.
signed specially protect the place against land attack
from the north, while the summit Of the hills was
strongly intrenched work, commanding all directions
and manned by eight cannon.
On tho south sde and to protect tho town from rear
attack, was email battery Of eight guns and in tho
rer W e hor'n o the town the celebrated marine bat
terry was locaed-the same which was TO have exploded
and destroyed set-at least that veracIous iudv,
dual Captain Hollns, said But submarine batteries
never have been effective means Of warfare and n "a
doubtful II they ever WILL Tho time and money exnspd
cd upon thom have always been thrown away.
The floating battery Of twenty guns was stationed nsar
the southern extremity Of the river with the iptonton
Of moving 10 the most exposed points, II wss sup.
posed 10 be very formidable engine Of warfare but has
not yst done any very great damage TO us.
church the centre Of the village was used for
maeazAs but being in an exposed position the garrison
removed the powder 10 locality further south, out Of
the reach Of shells.
The approaches were prsssCte0 By abasis formed By