Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-02-13
YreksagRa. Fshrusry e. lss.

hCKSBuRGl Ferrusry II 1903.
Last night about one o'clock two Of the gunbOatse came
down the river, apparently with the intention drumming
the batteries but upon coming within range Of our guns
and receiving several shots from the latter, they halted,
roundedto, and returned up the river again Whether
ths expedition was merely a reconnaissance, or whether
it was an attempt to pass down without being observed,
not known. The vigilance of our batteries viii pre-
vent hen slipping by without being seen, and if an
attack is made it viii soon be discovered that two
parties can play q hand at that game.
Another ere occurred during the night, IN 8 small
brick building on Main street. 1t was the property #
Ar. -Saeglenan, and, / beiieve, was unoecupied at tAe
tine. Hsw the IRE originated, has not yss come to my
koowls5ga. The hne residences Of BIZ. s., standing i'm
mediatsiy in front, was u~ninjursd Nothing new or ex-
I citing has t~rsnspirsa this morning. and the rain has the
effect Of ksepiss thing very quiet.
The emmy has been for several days engaged on the
p nlusula at sols kind Of work within sight Of the
town, and the ~presumton Is that a battery Is beng
erected on the lev-e within range Of our river batteries.
Much conjecture has been had a. to the real object Of
such s wo / but observations by the naked eye, within
the lsst forty eight hours, have revealed the fact that
the Yankees are actually busiiy engaged in the oonstrue
/ ton Of eerthworks at the lower extremity CT the leyee.
The idea that they are repairing the latter has been
exploded. and fan crodence Is plsced in the report that
TIE HDfh Is lultuQeAAt E al OuEu1Afe utMuuh1attoL
It is evident that the on-mY cannot ? main idle much
l0nger-ihat an offensive demonstration nuEt be mace
! wi hs a vsry few days An the movements of late
point to such an effort sui any night may witness the
b-ginIug Of the assault 10 doubt but The batteries
opposite are being planted there with view 10 operate
against tbs city. while the gunboa,s are to engage our
upper battsri s and while We are thus engaged, the
passports are 70 eject q landing Of tbs troops. The
only place they now have to land is IN front Of the city
all other places being lnpraeicabls on account Of
( high water. a. well as eur guns, which command every
available point.
Whatever route the enemy msy new take toward
Y cksburg, he viii And shat We ere well prepared Z :
h,m in every quarter. He has no point above where be
eau land. and tbs orly peint which he has to dissu.3srk
viii be immediately under orr batteries This being a
very pr~ecarious underta king. h. is Of course very tardy
a5ou, putting It into exc sution, and, no doubt, very
dubious about it's success. His chances now are growing
desa crate; be must either SIGHT or retire In disgrace il
be accepts The latter alternative disaster must follow
the attempt. It may be possible, that, driven to the
last extremity, be may become reckless sod desperate,
without regard to the loss Of life and treasure.
II be does not attempt 80 land and ssssult our works
be VIII endesvor to run the guabosts down below as q
protection for his troeps in crossing from that quarter.
None can d wine a. wsst hour bis movements vii CON
mrulef u4L 1T - very plV1abr taAt u any OF le DotE
are to run the batierieE the darkest hour Ct tbe night
viii De selected Tor the trip but sig as he may so about
& Il, he viii not be able to take Us by surprise, neither
viii he ind Us unpreparsd, nor do we care how soon he
may eOma.
Practice az our heavy gyms is san continued, and by
the tins they viii be brought into rsquisiHon in a real
battle. they viii be able to give 3 good seeouat Of them.
selves and do terrible execution. The number Of guns
and strens b of our works is known to but few persons
here, as nothug Is developed that could ia any way give
the enemy any knowledge Of sur strength ssmcs It
to say that We are well prepared, and when the Yankees
come they VIII aad out in due time all about it and
furthermore, that We are too strong to DO taken BY any
such force as they are able TO bring, and that this is he
place where the Abolition army viii be entirely aauihi-
lated
That perfect security is felt here is apparent from the
indife ence which the nOn.eombatsufa. the women ard
children, manifest ab ut the approximations Of danger.
Bat very few have yet let the city, and most Of those
remaining declare that they win rot leave, having no
fears whatever about the enemy getting into the ely,
nor do they believe that another bOmbardmeat can i1.
iure & very sehouIly. NEsroR