Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-03-05
THE WAR THE WEST.
CONCERNING THE EVACUATION OF COLUMBUS
RUNoRs FROM REBEL SOURCES.

CONCERNING THE EVACUATION OF COLUABUs-
RUNoRs PROM REBEL SOURCES.
[From the Memphis Appeal, February 10
Gen. Polk issued orders yesterday that the
track of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad
should be torn up and the bridges burnt
which order was ebeyed, and by this time the
work Of destru.tion is complete on q great
part of the road.
A rumor prevails on the streets this after
noon that Polk was preparing to eyacuate CO.
lumbus tomorrow, remove all the guns, &C.,
and derOlish the fortifcations
The forces at New Madrid and Fort Pillow
together with the Columbus troops, are to re-
pair at once TO Memphis and make stand
making an army Of about 80 coo men.
We have the rumor in such form as to give
credit. that an order had been issued by Gen
Polk for the evacuation Of Columbus, which
movement is understood to be executed under
the direction Of General Beauregard. 1t is
stated that preparations are being made for
our army to fall back to Island No. 10, or Fort
PilloT-a very necessary move, it seems to as
II view Of the capture Of Fort DOnelsop, and
the surrender Of Nashville. As General Polk
made call two or three days since upon the
planters along the Mississippi river for thou
sand negroes, for the purpose Of completing
aud Strengthening the Notifications at Islsnd
No. lowe were not unprepared for this intel
ligence. Indeed it has long since been per-
fecuy palpable TO US that Columbus must
eventually be evacuated, and our lines drawn
in, so soon as the central column of our army
under General Johnston at Bowling Green gave
way, or Forts Henry and DOHelson foil into the
enemy's hands The capture of these positions
f-GV t0HtGns0NHf TO- successful RaHEiHP of
10th Bolriiag Green and COiaaH5l,S, and
hence it required no experienced military eye
10 fOretell sCme Of it, more immediate conSe-
quences. These reasons strengthen our con.
Ticti0n Of the aathentieity Of the rumor
Island No. 10 il strong position, hot far
from Hickman, Ky, about IL miles below Co
lumbus, lis above Fort PILLOW, and l8j above
Memphis 1t completely cOinmaDds the Mis-
sissipPi river for miles above. and can be so
fortified with heSyy guns as 10 be made in-
Iregnable against any river attack As il is
demonstrated 10 the late battles at Forts Henry
snd DOnelson that the Federal guab0sts are
not inyulnerable to rihed cannon and heavy
cIiumbisds, the position Is we'll chosen, and
with the aid Of good land force can he main
tanned against the approach Of Foote'S fOtilla
If il is true that Columbus IS TO be evscua-
ted u viii require, We presume, SsCCTIi aagS
yyy taS s-Csc4iiOR q = Ehts O5i-r, as care should
be taken that IoEe Of CUE munitions or ord
nance are left behind.
Gen. Beauregsrd now, lao tJutt. directs all
military operations IN this Department. fact
which insHres success in every thing possible TO
% attained by energy, skin. and experience.
Upon which the ST Louis Democrat OBJ.
serves:
Island No. lU, which the Rebels are now Te-
ported 10 be Certifying, has never been hereto
fore spoken OF as a position Of great strength
In the minds Of our military men the COium.
bus fortifcatians were The only really formid-
sble impediments 10 The easy descent Of the
Mississippi river. No other point can bs made
50 strong against the attacks Of Commodore
Foote'S fotilIs. Islsnd No. 10, Fort Pillow,
and Memphis will be completely at the mercy
" our mOrtzF-bOats and gunbOats.