The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-04-05
INTERESTING FROM THE SOUTH.


A gentleman direct from New Orleans
has arrived at Cairo, aud the Chicago Trsi-
bune's correspondent thus relates what he
says:
He reports the utmost activity in New
Orleans in preparing for offense and de-
tense. The confidence Of the citizens in
Beauregard is unbounded, and be is ex-
pected to defend the city when it is men
aced. There is an entire absence of Union
feeling there, and disposition, strong and
earnest, manifested to fight, sacrifice and
suffer. The Orleanists are confident that
our armies can do but little more damage
before warm weather compels their with
drawal, and they calculate upon sickness
for an ally My informant reports they
are building ten iron-clad gunboats at
New Orleans, one of which is Intended for
sea, and the others to operate on the Mis-
sissippi and elsewhere. He saw the boats,
and though no seaman, he says an un-
practiced eye can readily see their enor-
nous strength
A boat called the Murray is the pride
and pet Of the Orleanists, and the proiec-
tor is confident that she will be proof
against any kind Of projectile, and that. he
will be able to sweep our rivers with her,
in ease and safety. She is to carry twenty
guns, and in addition to the iron plating,
such as shields the Benton, is protected
with railroad iron, and so ingeniously mod
eled, notwithstanding her large size, that
she presents "a sharper angle for ball to
strike against than any of the smaller
craft now in process of building there
He is confident that some of the boats he
saw at New Orleans are now at Island No.
10, and waiting for a good opportunity to
get at Commodore Foote. 1t is known
that the secesh have now five guuboats at
No. 10. These have been seen, and the
idea is prevalent among our men there
that more are near, but have not shown
themselves.
A letter to the Memphis Avalanche
from Huntsville, Alabama, written on the
5th inst. states that the Hons. Andrew
Ewing and John Bell made speeches that
day in that place Mr. Ewing, he writer
says spoke in defense of Governor Harris
retirement from Nashville, as it was his
duty to save the achives of the State, and
says he was advised to do SO by General
Johnston. He also says that Middle Ten
nessee is not going to submit-but furnish
thousands Of brave men to drive the Yam
KEGS from Southern soil, so soon as arms
can be had. Therefore, instead of Icing
submissionists they are thoroughly aroused
and will shed the last drop of blood before
they will submit. He thinks the Confed-
crate forces should be withdrawn from the
southern border, concentrated into three
divisions, placed, under the command of an
energetic general, and invade the North,
retake the quartermaster and commissary
stores which they. have recently lost, and
force the enemy to fight us upon land,
where the Confederates would have an
equal chance with him.
Mr.. Bell, he adds, says that he and the
people of Middle Tennessee are not sub.
mssionists, and although they may BIZ COM
PEELED to keep quiet for awhile, yet the
flame OF Southern independence is steadily
burning, .aud SO soon as an opportunity
presents itself, it wilt increase to such d
fry that every foe upon Tennessee soil
will be consumed before he can make his
escape.