Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-03-27

others who would ire the city for tic sake ot plunder.
 The extreme Of frantic patriotism and brutal robbery would present to his mind a dilemma, either horn of which was poisoned. Now t is one of the chietest objects of martial law to or ganize such zeal into prowess against the ioe, and to dispose of this iuceudlarl,m in a way tu make it harmless. It will b4 time enough t. burn the city when our generals declare 1t ;l military necessity--a time that will never come till the sacrifice of women and children by the thousands shall be deemed it propitiation lo Lincoln's Cog and Seward Mayog.
 It is of the essence ot martial law that it brooks no rival Ii holds the confused elements of society to 9 fixed sphere of duty. It reduces the rhapsOdies of enthusiasts to the coqueuce of action. So far from its giving alarm, 1t should appeasc tho apprehension of the most timid mother, by assuring her that she has but one enemy ard that all that is vehement in valor or enduring in patriotism will be massed and mar- shaed to drive that enemy from our border.
 zzs.--s tzsss-.-<as----
 MEMHHs. March .lS.-The Appeals evening edition has the following from up river: skirmish occurred yesterday moraing between oar gun boats and the shore battery Of the enemy, erected dur ing the preceding night, nearly opposite Ilpton- vllle. On discovering that the enemy had bee at work on the vest bank, our gun boats got up steam early in the morning and went oEt to attack them. The enemy had pla ed three tweuty four D uud gun in position for the puIpose Of cutting of ou. commun cation at TiptonYtie where the land trau- sit across to Island 10 begins. Our wooden gun boats engaged were the Nra, Lady Polk. Ivy. Ponchatrain, Levingstln and Manassas. The Ii. .ht continued some two hours. The fore and ait chains of tie Manassas were cut by lhe euemy's shot. They also sent one shot through the Lady Polk which struck her and came out below the line. but whore Kp haVp bpgn apfp ) as certain. Sine immediately withdrew and at lass accounts 1t was found necessary to resort tO her pumps to keep the water down.
 The other boats continued thc fire short tpe longer and then withdrew to their anchuIage They sustained more or less damage, but were in no re- spect disabled No one Was killed on our slde only one person being slightly bruised by q splinter. We have no means Of learning the loss oi the enemy. The federal force on the other side Of the river is estimated at one thOGennd men. They were engaged in throwing mp ntrenchments al.d strengthening their position. On Monday SIX of the enemy $ iron clad gun boats came down within threp quarters of d mile of Island lU, and snellci the place through the day'
 Tbey fired slowly and seemed to direct their shot not at our batteries which returnel their fire but beyond towards an open plantation where our troons were supposed to be eneamDed Ourpuns struck the gun boats repeatedly, but none of the shot seemed to take effect. The gunboats retired bel oud range towards night. h their rear the river seemed to be white with their transports-- Our loss was three killed and eight wounlcd-- Loss of the enemy not known. The Argus this evening says; Our gunboats captured the ene- my's guns planted opposite TiptonyIe'
 JACKSON, TlNN, March l3
 To EDWIN C. MoRroy:--
 Plantation bells may be shipped to my address, care O. quarter master, New Orleans, church bells not wanted at present.
 c, T. BEACREGARD,