Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-03-03
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NiCKSBURG teDruery ~, 1865
special cosespondenes Of The Memphis Appeal
Judging from che appearance OF things over
the river, one would have reasoa, to expect that.
The enemy is about getting ready for . trial "Trip
to Yieks5urg. The oninous s1eucsana the sil-
gulariiy Of bis movements point to great acltv.
ity CT some kind, 10 completing his arrsnge
meats. nisnow near two weeks since va last
hesrd Of additional troops coming down ihe
river. and, by his time the whole forco must be
in this vicipiy-probsbly not all, es yet nassed
in che grand body, bit scattered slong the
banks Of The river shove, ia camps. to tho DIS
lance Of twenty miles or more
his not known here what tha last plaa adop-
ted for reducing this point is, but it is known
Of a certainty that it viii be failure, whatever
tie programme may bs. So impressed are the
Federal troops with this idea, that they readily
acknowledge the facs. and scores Of them desert
their ranks for the purpose Of avoiding the
slaughter pen, as they donom'na'e our works Of
defense. Although every person feels ssuSuine
as to the result, there is no intermission in
strengthening sl points of approach, to make
assurance doubly sure against all psrsdven
lures.
The movements Of the boats ssal continue
very much ia tia same atdtuds-going and
coming daily; 8 few gunboats ars seen at
the grand readezvous, and this seems to iadi-
cate that something more than usual is going
on in hat quarter Yesterday, more than oFdi-
nsry activity was observed among then, and
the huge clouds of black smoke which rolled
out Of the chimnsys Of the g~unboats gave it the
appearance as if the whole feet was preparing
to move downward in very short time This
threatening aspect among the g~unboats was
kept up uutil tie curtain Of night was drawn
before our gaze, and we had to quit our ohser-
vadons in the midst of the greatest interest.
There appears to. be a very general suspicion
prevailing that it is tho enemy's object to get
below, with ayiew Of crossing the river and ad-
vancing upon the town from that quarter, which
would accomplish a flank movement, snd would
render the task Of taking the place very easy.
Your correspondent does not share in this opin,
ion, and considers hins4lf in the q category
as the Yankees. that Il, ho does not know Al
which point It would be safe to make the st-
tempt, as all are equally wei prepared, and
equally hard to take
Some deserters came over yesterday, but /
have not yet learned what kind Of a story they
have to tell 20 doubt their tale is dolefol
enougbbsthe most probable Interpretation Of
the 66ss 81 their desertioa is that tbsy have by
some means got wind Of an intended attack,
and rather than venture their esTcasses into SO
dangerous @ place, they have taken the chances
to desert and come over to orr side. By the
way, I do not approve much Of our policy in
allowing perfect freedom to al such Lineolnites
as lay down their arms and come over to Us.
Many Of them do this because they are afraid
to 90 into battle, while ct heart they are as
black as ebony.
It may be good policy 10 give uncondidonai
liberty to those who voluntarily abandon the
enemy and come over to US. The dictates Of
humanity certainly spprore Of our being kind
to those in our power. Bat how are We TO dis
crimiuste between the honest man who comes
as a friend, ard tbe villain who ONE as a spy
Who can tell whether to trust enc or the other,
OF whether they really come of their own &C
cord, or were sent here as spies1 Caution
should be orr watehword, and great care must
be taken that ws d. ros deceive ourselves by
unwsrranted indulgence TO strangers