Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-03-16

From the CittzenI
YANKEES DRowNED.-At about ? o'clock
this morning two Yankees on the-shore nearly
opposite the ferry landing, were seen to iump
into The water and strike out for this shore.
They were plainly seen by our pickets, and
heard 70 talk-one striving to encourage the
other until within a few rods of the Vieksburg
shore, when one Of them threw up bis hands
and sank. The other persevered with good
pluck, and was last seen about = quarter of a
mile below where our informant stood but it is
not known whether he reached the shore or not,
as be drifted with the current until out Of sight.
The corporal Of the picket guard spoke to the
one who sank, asking him if he wanted assist.
ance, but the poor fellow was so exhausted that
he made no reply, except a gasping murmur,
and suddenly disappeared.
The Yankees must be rather severe towards
their men, If to escape bad trestmen they will
take to the water at this season of the year, and
especially the water Of the Mississippi, now so
high and turbulent. It may, with some reason,
be judged that the Yankee forces are about to
attack us, and those men learning something Of
the plan, chose rather to run the risk of drown
ing than face death in such a desperate. eneoun-
Ter. Who knows1
THE YANKEE CANAL-There was nothing
going on this forenoon in the famous cutoff
which the Yankees made last year, and have
not yet finished but near the head of it there
we're some big, uglylooHing eunboats, some
with steam on, end some in q state Of quies-
cence. A little further up the river there was a
cluster Of transports, with clouds Of steam and
smoke oveThanging them. Still further up, say
two or three bends Of ths Mississippi, there was
an immense black cloud, which looked as
though it took several furnace fires of Pittsburg
coal to generate iE. On the whole, we think the
enemy, though quiet, IS not idle, but is work
irg away like gophers, under ground, to com
plate his arrangements for another grand defeat,
which, 10 doubt, he feels in his bones, is await
ing him.
About / o'clock yesterday about a dozen Yam
KEGS came down on the road to DeS0to, where
they were engaged for some time in surveying
the strength of our batteries. As it is deemed
proper to let the enemy get all the information
they cen, our guns did not interfere with their
spying occupation.
There is no new movement to report among
he enemy this morning. The same number Of
boats still sPpear in sight above.
LAST YANKEE TRICK-The Strengthening
object which was seen floating down past the
batteries on Monday night, was an empty coal
barge, which the Yankees had sent sdrift, hop-
ing, by the darkness of the hour, to cause MS
much excitement and waste of ammunition.
But ever since they sold us wooden hams and
wooden tea kettles, we have learned to hate and
suspect them. So, on this occasion, having
had our perception shsrpened by the late
Indianola stair, We were soon able to see
even through the prevailing obscurity, what
he floating object was. At one battery, the
iegtenant commanding knew at his second
sh0, nhzt Il was but deeming It a good target
coat!hued to blaze away, and with such pre-
ci5ioH "a TO bic twice in every three shots. His
skill won many compliments from the major in
c7mmaad, who forthwith promoted him to a
responsible post After serving q good end ia
ie pracIes ct cur carnoniers, the boat was
secured s4d lied up for ether p IIp0se5. Should
he Yankees desire 10 perfect as in artillery
practice, aud make MS SO proficient as 70 sink
the flee. whenever ahey shall dare to approach
Us, les them send on their water craft, though
fcirdted with their own deviish craft or cum
Huing. and we viii thank them for it, as we need
targets for practice, and have some ammunition
70 spare.
From she yieksburg Whig.l
The principal talk among the &" quid nunes "
Yesterday, was the sudden " change Of base "
Of the Y6nkees. There were three different soIu-
tons Of the change-frst, that tho enmey were
going 70 reinforce the Yazoo pass expedition
the second, that they were seeking a more ele-
vated camping ground, not being permitted to
occupy our ulils ana the LlLu, mat the troops
were emberkinP on transports preparatory to
an assault on our city. It is quite evident
chat q heavy force IS being sent down the
Yazoo. and it IS likely the troops now leav
ing the peninsula win be sent il that diree-
ton. Some of the gunbosts went up the Yszoo
yesterday towards Snyder's bluff A couple Of
guns were heard in that direction about one
O'clock. and It was thought the boats were
tbroHing an occasional shell as they moved up.
They are. we suppose, on Reconnaissance, hop
ing 30 hear something Of The expedition coming
through the pass. It was rumored in the after
noon that some late intelligence had been re-
ceived from Greenwo0d-that the CsTondelet
had been Tepulsed above that place, and an at
tempt Of the troops to flank our batteries de-
fested.
The Yankees are evidently on the move. Yes
terday morning the number Of transports across
the river was only six. In the forenoon 8 large
train could be seen moving Up, sud upon exam
lining tbe camp at Whites field it was discov.
cred that many of The tents had disappeared
The dredgs-boats, however, were still at work,
but do not seem to have advanced a yard in two
days.