Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-28

Special Correspondence Of the Appeal
YIcKsBURe, January 26, ls6

! Special Correspondence Of the Appeal
YIcKsBURe, January pc, 1868.
Fsom Information obtained yesterday from the Fed
sra camp over the river, it appears that the suspleions
enterta aimed here in regard to a. attempt being made TO
open the canal were correct. During the heavy fog on
Saturday morning taey had force of five thousand
men engaged il. widening the ditch and clearing away
t4be logs and ether distractions. The river being now
nearly bank full, the wafer is running through the canal
with sEspid current, and in a short time they hope to
have It In a good n~svigable condition for their trahs
ports. The gunboats are not intended to be taken
through this canal, and no calculation is maize as toits
depth for that purpose, but the transports being all Of
light draughti It is expected that they viii be able to
pass through without and difficulty.
If the enemy should accomplish the opening of this
canal they might possibly infict an injury upon vicks-
burg but a a Military advantage to them in taking the
placeit would amount 20 nothing at all. The prospects
of the enemy for attacking the city from below are no
better than from above, and by dividing his forces so as
to weaken himself it may prove a positi e advantage
touz.
From the geographical location Of the canal it is
certain that the river never can be coaxed to form a
permanent cutoff; but for the time being, during high
water, it may answer the purpose Of carrying their light
draught transports below the city. But even this will
prove a dangerous and costly experiment when they
come to find out the real condition Of affairs in regard
to certain arrangements below the city which command
the dsbouohe of the canal of these things it may not
be proper to say much at this time, but at the right
season it viii be very proper to let the Federals know
all about it.
Even if the enemy should succeed in carrying large
force through the canal and cross through below, it
would be of no advantage to them. Their object, It'll
supposed, is to bring cavalry force over IL the neigh
borhsed OF Wsrrenton, and this force is to make a raid
upon tho Southern railroad at the Big Black in order to
cut of our communication and means of supplies and
reinforcements, End when this is accomplished then the
attack upon the city is to be made in foil force. Thus
the place is first to be starved out by cutting off all
supplies, and then to be attacked by the full force Of
the enemy, which he thinks will insure its destruction.
A good deal Of uncertainty prevailed yesterday
about the DeSoto ferry boat. 1t appears certain that
she was captured on Saturday, but sin nothing definite
is known. It is rumored that the enemy mad captured
her and placed light artillery aboard Tor the purpose of
pirating upon our steamers below. But there is no
foundation FOR this report. Some people here, who ere
fond of putting the worst side Of the picture foremost
and who love 70 be in distress, seem to have an idea
that our military authorities are asleep half the time,
and that they are doing business with their eyes closed
all the time. Your humble correspondent has no idea
that our generals viii allow themselves to be outwitted,
however numerous the reports to the contrary.
zen morgan L. omlthi Inc L ankee omeer VINO was
wounded at the battle Of Chicksssw Bayou, is again
with the Federal army. His wound was not so serious
as had been reported, and with the exception Of carry.
ing his arm in a sling, he shows no signs Of having been
put Aors du combat Since the landing of the troops he
has been engaged in supervising the work on the canal.
Nothing has yet be0n heard Of the feet Of transports
which has gone up the river for re-infoTcements.
About i've o'clock this morning some hsif a dozen
heavy shots were fred from our batteries, which startled
our citizens considerably, and a repetition of the scenes
on the morning of the 2sth Of June, was apprehended
The firing, however, ceased, and the alarm subsidized
It could not be ascertained what caused the firing. No
new movements could be observed Of the enemy, except
the coming down Of transports with additional troops,
who were landed, when the steamers put out again.
NESTOR.