Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-02-03

speoisi Correspondence Of the Memphis Appeal
vIcKsBuRG, February 4 1868.
Dessrters from the enemy aresam coming into
our lines, aI Of whom report great dissatsiac-
lion among she troops. It is believed that it
win moi be safe to take many Of them into 8
battle, and that he delay ofthe attack has much
to do with the preearious condition Of the army
Many Of the Western troops are almos: in open
mutiny, and say that the object for which they
entered the service had been repudiated BY the
Federal administration, and that they objected
to 6ght for the niger.
Yesterday = number Of Yankees appeared On
the opposite bsnk of the river, and several
white Gags were displayed by them. 1t was be-
lieved that they were deserters who wished to
cross over into our lines al their movements
indicated such : desire, and toward the middle
Of the day a man was sent over in g ski6 to see
Whist was wanted. When The sllf came to
within speaking distance Of the shore, the Yam
KEGS told him if he did not turn back they
would shoot him, and without waiting for any
further explanation he returned again to this
side. This was all the information that could
be obtained Of their mysterious movements.
As many Of them appeared without arms, and
the white flags were basily engaged in moving
about in various directions, it was supposed
that the engineers were at work in taking
surveys Of tks ground. In the afternoon
a small party were seen going up the river
bank some distance, where they captured a hog,
which was Immediately killed sud logged off.
Soon after this Occurrences the whole party left,
and nothing further was seen Of them. a day
or two ago the ferry boat was fred At by some
of eur batteries and was forced to run in
through the break in the levee to a shelter be-
bind the timber and out Of sight Of cur guns.
No new movement has besn noticed among
the feet above. Most Of the transports seem to
be still behind the bend, and only occasional az
rivals are noticed st the general anchorage
abeve Young's Foint The work on the canal is
still being prosecuted, and, from accounts given
by dsssrters, it seems that it is not yet in navi-
gable ordsr. The small boat which attempted
to pass through a day or two since, hss been
taken out, and no further attempt made at navi-
CATION since, though there must be five OF SIX
feet water in The csnel
One or two transports have been seen to ar
rive from absvs with coal barges in tow, and
several loads Of troops have been landed within
tbe last two days. Their force by. this time
must have increased to enormous proportions
and it is strange that no demonstration have
as vet been made looking toward a hostile move
ment against the city. With the exception Of
a suspicion that batteries are being planted Inn
mediately opposite, within full range Of the city
there is no apprehension manifested by the non
eombstants, while among the military the most
defiant spirit prevails, coupled with an eager de-
sire for the enemy to appear.
The irregularity Of the mails at Yicksburg is
as great an annoyance as it appears to be 81
your city of Jackson. In a late number Of the
Daily Crisis I notice some very unkind rehee-
tons upon tho postmaster at Yicksbwg. In
regard to the management of the Office here, ]
beg to say a word in behalf of Col. Sloan, the
postmaster, and Messrs. Miller and Randolph,
head clerks, who are all gentlemen against
whom not a word Of negligence or earelessness
csn be whispered-atsentive, industrious.
obigiug and gentsel in their intercourse with
the people, not one Of whom deserves the slight
est hint Of reproach. These mail failures are SO
~freaueut and universal that a general COM
plaint exists over the whole country, but the
management Of the cfice at Yicksburg is too
correct and exact to be deserving Of any cen
sure. NEsToR.