Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-31
LETTRRa rRoM VrCRsRURG.

EFEIAoA correspondence "a AN 2EEEaAl
VIcKsBURs, January 80, 1858.
Among the various items Of interest in the military
circle here is The announcement; that Msior-General
Stevenson, Of Tennessee, takes command Of the defenses
here, over Gen. n. L. Smith, by virtue Of his seniority
Of rank. A spirit Of perfeet accord prevails between
the various commanding ~ffcers-each and every one Of
whom Is here to do his duty according to the best Of his
ability, regardless Of the empty boast of rank. General
Smiths modesty is proverbial, and was well illustrated
last summer when he applied TO the War Department
for another general oficeiso be sent here that he did
not care whether such officer ranked him or not The
same feeling exists in the present case, and anaddieionsI
zest is given to the new change from the feet that Ten
nessee now has the honor Of having furnished the man
who is in charge Of the defsnses of the heroic City Of
the Hills. Nothing Of Importance has t~ranspired on the
peninsula opposite the city since yesterday, notwitks
standing the woods are full Of Federal troops within
sight Of the city, and their operations on the canal can
be distinctly observed from the town.
Yesterday the Federal troops were again impudent
and an-talzing-coming up to the bank Of the river
on the opposite side, and even went so far as to Ere
their muskeis at people in the city, but Yankee bullets
have not yet obtained sufficient power TO ply across the
Mississippi on Their Grant az death, and they fell harm
less INTO the middle Of the river. Once in 8 while one
Of oar guns would send a she'll amongst them, which
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but they would again pick up courage to resume their
former exposed positions
Various surmises have been had as to their object in
coming to such an exposed and advance position, and
some are of the opinion that sley are merely on stealing
and marsuding expeditions; but it is more probable
that a regular Yankee trick may be at the bottom Of
their movements. The most plausible idea is that these
stragglers are sent forward for the purpose Of attracting
the attention of cur batteries, and while the latter are
watching them, a stronger force Of Federals are cree.
ting batteries under cover of the timber a little
ways in the rear. While we are watching afew of them
the rest are laying trap for us.
a large force was yesterday seen at work on the
canal and in the afternoon they succeeded in getting a
steamboat into it. which was working its way through
st slow and careful pace. BY some it was supposed
to be q dredge boat. engaged in cleaning out the mud
and deepening the channel, but it is more likely that it
was one Of their light draught transports going through
as a pioneer for those of a larger size. It Is certain
now that a steamboat has been in the canal, and that
there Is water enough in it to float at least a small boat.
In q few days the whole feet Of transports may be able
to pass through.
It is not yet certain whether Grants army has arrived
or not, and it may perhaps be that the troops have not
yet been landed, but it is certain that the feet IS in the
river in full view Of the city, and judging from the long
extent Of the line of smoke and steam there must be an
immens3 feet between Young's Point and Pawpaw
Island Yesterday morning It was reported here that
cannonadng had been heard up the Yazoo during the
night before, but no confirmation Of the fact has been
received up to this time. NEsroR.