The New York herald., 1862-02-09
THE SITUATION OF COLUMBUS IN A REBEL,
POINT OF VIEW.

From the New Orleans Delta of January 3Ol
The letter which publish from our Correspondent
at Columbus relating TO the situation of that post de-
serves more than passing attention. This community
has reason to look to the defence Of position tho
whole circle OF the with waksfu vigilance and
keenef concern than that occupied by Gen. Polk on the
heights OF Columbus. We can AFFORD to indulge COM
portable sense OF security with reference the seaboard
approaches to New Orleans We feel of ability
IN defending the river against any fleet OF the enemy
attempting the capture OF the city by way OF the
river from the We realize even a less
degree OF exposure upon any OF the land approaches
from the sea TO the city Fifty thousand men thrown
upon them would be lost to hundred thousand they
would be impractcabe But what 10 the fact in regard
TO the route down the river from Columbusp Should Co.
umhus tall what is TO prevent tho enemy from sweep
ing down the river with the immense feet of gunboets
ana floating batteries which he has long preparing
at ST. Louis and Cairo and with hundred thousand men
Under Haeck TO attack us on one side, while exped
lion striking up from tho sea would attack us on the
other Who can answer DO efectua defencss answer
DO preparations for defence in rapid progress answer
Who're are the defencesr Who engaged In the prepa
ratonsy These questions admit OF satisfactory an
swer.
dependence at present for the safety Of the city
from The approach OF formidable expedition down the
river 10 upon Columbus That Is the Northern hey 10 the
xisstsfpdsbo. Thot ia possession Of the enemy, ne food
gates Of rasio,l ' be opened. Our situation would not
be hopeless the soul OF Southern men, fighting war
Of independence must not dream OF despair but we
would be confronted with terrible dangers and the whole
country exposed to fearful evils On condition only
can realize full assurance that such dangers will
not and that such evils will never mpend That
condition is the impregnablity OF Gen. Polks position At
Columbus. But II may be asked is that position al
ready srongg Strong II undoubtedly has been the
enemy gunboats that encountered its batteries found
out, and as his army at Belmont bitterly discovered
Strong still is, In point OF its defensive works, the
resolution OF its defenders, and the vigilance prudence
ability and energy of its commanding general. But In
war strength Is relative The force under Gen Pok's
command it is TO be feared is not large IL should
DO in view OF the augmentation Of the enemys force
threatening his position His force has been stationary
while the ensmys was being increased. He s scarcely
ia situation 20 extend his wings, to guard his lanks
aud preyent his position from being turned by column
OF the enemy pushing past his right.
These redectons are not penned in the spirit OF
ssimst, but that they called for by tho occasion is
centy cvincsd by the fact that Gen. Polk has sent
upon the executives Of those States the Importance TO
the security or tho Lower Mississippi Valley OF speedy
reinforcement Of his command. Captain Bernard Aveg
no. OF this city, entrusted with General Folks commun
already had an interview with the Governor who, VIC
understand will enter Immediately, with General 10
veil on the suhect OF the communication. General Tru
deau who has charge of tho heavy artillery Colum
bus Is also in the city and corroborates ali the apprc
tensions expressed In the foregoing Is II
possible TO send i've thousand from this city 20 Gene
neral POlsS rsporcemcnr II safe tOay perhaps that
much larger number couln be spared at esent espc
ciay they could be speedily returned by railroad
case OF any emergency which Is not foreseen. Al
all events, Columbus demands the earnest attention of
our authorities The enemy making last effort, and
we should be ready TO meet II efectuay, everywhere
but above all TO meet il sfYectually at Columbus We
hors oIy % stand ground for sirfy d1ys, and he
my c sink exhaustion and despair But he will drink
new hope and life for indefinite proiongaton of tho
war II we fail to stand our ground at Columbus
General Buffers Expedition.
SAILING OF PORTION OF THE EXHIBITION FROM
BOSTON.
BoeroS, Feb. 8, 1862
The ships ocean Pearl, idaho and North America with
the troops and stores forming par, Of the Butler sxps