Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-24
LnrrrR FRO YrcKsRuae.

H-IEE E"H
Special Correspondence Of the Appeal
The arrival Of the Federsi army above this city ia
now reduced to a certainty For several days past
there have been rumors and 5ther indications of the ap-
proach Of the feet. On Wednesday, movements among
the gunbosts in the distance, appraised as Of their pres
ence, and a continued augmentation Of their number
was apparenti and yesterday it was announced that a
sect Of fifty transports aud twelve ~gunboats was near
by. So distinctly can the DARK columns Of smoke be
traced toward the mouth of Old river, that there is no
longer any doubt about the enemy being again upon US
Among the various reports that reached us yesterday
was ore to the effect that some Of the ganboats had gone
up the Yazoo, AMI that one of them had been sunk by q
torpedo but az nothing authentic could be obtained of
this report it was placed among the idle rumors Of the
day, and no eredenee was given it. Another rumOr was
that a balloon had been making reconnaissance Of our
works.
Thiugs are evidently getting lively again about this
little burg. snd you must not be surprised IL you hear in
two or three days from now of a most terrible sssault
upon this city. Everything is being placed in readiness
to meet the foe, and the " decks are being cleared for
q fight OF the result, none have the least a~pprehen-
sions, as our Sefenses here are strong, our troops brave,
and officers skillful; moreover, a dstermin <tion exists
among all never to give up the place, and the easy vic
tory obtained over the enemy before inspires all hands
with the prestige Of success.
From all that can be learned It appears that the Yam
KEGS have adopted q new programme for the next at
tack. aud that the gunboats will not wait for the land
army to Agbt its way into the rear, but wiz at once com
menee to shsll the city under the pretenee of engaging
our river batteries, by which means they hope to create
a panic in town, and perhaps to silence some Of the bat.
tsriss, when landing of tho troops could be Effected.
and a Judgment in the city secured as a base for their
operations.
Yesterday afternoon a part Of the feet was reported
to be moving up the Yazoo, Int nothing reliable of their
has yet been ascertainsd, and the probabil-
ties are that none Of the boats have yet assembled shat
stream, OF we should have had information Of it by this
morning. They arc at present engaged in reconnoiter-
ing the country bordering on the Mississippi. their expe-
risnce along the banks Of the Yazoo during the Christ
mas holidays having satisfied them of what kind Of q
country that is which they found in the vicinity Of
Esines Bluff.
This morning a large feet is plainly in sight Of the
town abeTe the canal, at which they seem to be engaged
A large force yesterday was engaged in accommodating
that famous ditch, ami a small numbered citizens who
were making their way across the bottom on the Vicks-
burg and Shreveport road were captured. It is believed
that the enemy is trying to work some Of lis light artil-
Iery across the peninsula to some point below for she
purpose Of iHtercePting our steamers and cutting eff
communicable N by the river between Yicksburg and Port
Hudson. The range Of some OF cur BEST guns nave
been tried this morning, but the wary Yankees ars istil
too far of to be reached. THERE'S no doubt Of the IN
tention on the part of the enemy to push matters with
great haste. and general and f~eroeious attack upon the
city is looked forin a day or two. Yesterday a flag Of
boat was reported at the point above town and
speculation was had as to what could be its mis-
sion. But this morning no confirmation Of the report
can be obtained. Great activity prevails among the
military, ndeyery preparation is being made to reeeive
the enemy. NEsTOR