Evening star., 1863-03-25

Prom SIckshurg.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE fNDIANoLA..
(From the Jackson Miss. AppeaLl
1t is matter OF regret that this vessel was
entirely destroyed, fact OF which we have
positive knowledge. II appears that the z ueen
of the West and her consorts seeing the ap
proach of the nondescfipt from aboye-the
character OF which has not yet been d. determined,
some believing her IN iron. clad turret. ana
others scare crow Observation-Disclosures the
supken vessel, ana steamed off down the river
when, to prevent her railing into the hands OF
the enemy. 4 few daring spirits ventnred ont
in ,kits and completed her destruction by ap-
plying match 10 her magazine.
From the Natchez Miss.l Conrier]
The indianoia had on board four of tho
heaviest rifed cannon, besides small arms in
numerable. She was heavily freighted with the
most improved muskets. ammunition, naval
stores and clothing. Taken altogether 1t will
prove q severe loss to the enemy, if it is not
gain 10 the Confederacy.
OPERATIONS on yAzoo PASS.
.From the Jackson Appeal, March Al
The best Information we have from this point
is, that the fleet OF the enemy is still at the
month OF the pass into Cold Water ltis COM
posed OF five stern and two side wheel boats,
carrying two guns each, and n few transports.
NoIhing definite is known as to their strength.
We presume no hindrances will be offered to
their clearing out of Cold Water, as we have
every reason to believe it has been determined
10 let them get as far as their base-the Missis-
sirpi-as they may have the courage 10 venture
on preearious q route. Ample preparations
have been made to prevent the accomplishment
OF TIE purposes OF the zoe at t0e proper time.
We apprehend no danger from that direction.
The YaZoo City Banner says:
The latest we have from the Federals up the
YaZoo river is that they are making their way
through AS yet they have not got through
Cold Water We have information that the
distractions, if not already impossible, will be
very shortly, as competent engineers and hanu.,
in large numbers. are at ork. We deem it
advisable not to state what other preparations
are being made for them, but merely state, for
the information and encouragement of the
IL cod "a tS hli ipp a
will defer indefinitely their proposed visit TO
Yazoo City, should they succeed by any pos
sibiiiy in making their way into the Taiia-
report discontinue or destruction of the expe-
dition they are sending against us.
THEwARINTENNEssEE RATTLE.
IFrom the Jackson miss. Appeal
From all accounts that reach us, are led
to tie conclusion that ere a great while General
Bragg will be forced either ID engage Rosecrans
In battle or fall back upon Chattanooga. The
country would depIore the necessity which
may force him TO the adoption of the latter
alternative. 1t is all important that
10 hold Middle Tennessee and North
Ala. ANA, otherwise we shall find ourselves in
strai;ened circumstances for army supplies
another year hence.
The Federals are devastating the country as
they advance. rendering it impossible for the
ia In, rs TO raise crop This season, and TO blot
out Middle Tennessee, Kentucky, North Ala
bama and North Mississippi from the pro-
ducing sections of the Confederacy would be
more seriously felt than the loss of Richmond,
Charleston, Sayannah or fieksburg II r0nlt
Froce ioHg step in the direction of Sr Su3iBgdOn
by Starcaticn
To surrender Middle Tennessee 10 our foe,
moreover, would place rs TO great disadvan-
tage should negotiations for peace be entered
into during the spring or summer II IS our
policy, and should be our main effort, not only
to hold all we now possess. but to reclaim as
much of Southern territory as possible We
could not treat for peace on anything like
equal terms with all the Border States, Ten
nessee included, in the hands OF the enemy.
TIE REnEL RETREAT FROM sHELBYvILLE.
From the Jackson Appeal, March L.
OUI Information is that the forces under Gen.
Johnston are now strongly intrenched in the
vicinity of TulIahoma, having Withdrawn
frcn The neighborhood OF Shelby Vile. This
position was, we have seen stated, long ago
selected as the most easily defended one be-
tween Nashville and Chattanooga, by Presi-
dent Davis himself, and, it has been ap-
proved by Gen. Johnston, we may indulge
every hope that the willy Federal commander
viii be forced. if he advance, to give battle
upon ground thar Will AT least afford
trool equal chance. The blunder at Stone
river, v hich was followed by such wholesale
slaughter, will not be repeated.
On the Federal side 10 important advance
has heen made. Heavy reinforcements have
been received, and of late immense supplies
passed UP the Cumberland.
Prospects OF Starving the ebels Out.
IFron the Richmond Examiner, March III
THE RAILROADS.
From every quarter where armies are
masssG-iTom Nieksburg, Tullahoma, Charles
ION and Fredericksburg-we have the most
q
troops and their certain a bility TO cope with any
force that the enemy may hurl against them.
The only point upon which there is room for
T0nt IF food for and horses to yelinauish the
str0ngholdS from rhich tie enemy could nercr dis.
lodg" hsm, and that this is grave and press:~s
dang We nave many fears for belieyi-e
II L 4 fact, as well known to the .heny as u
ouIs.l YES, That all the countr, IN 1he vicinity
Vi m ions and t5rars long that these armies de-
pend for their cSistenee and maintenance OF
their present positions upon the railroads
The railroads OF this State are on the point Of
giving ont. They have decreased their speed
10 ten miles an hour maximum rate, and
are carrying twenty five 10 fifty per cent. less
tonnage than formerly This change in their
rat" OF speed and quantity of freight has beon
made through necessity. The woodwork of
the roads has rotted and the machinery has
worn out, and owing to the stringent enforce
mtnt OF the censcrIption law as to railroad
employees, the companies have not been ab!a
Win I'll their efforts, 10 supply neither the one
nor the other.
Railroads are part. and an indispensable
part, of our military SYSTEM and if the eyare
allowed 10 fall through from any causes Cor
ernment ard Ieople may prepare for the retreat Of
oar armies, and the Surrender Of much Of tie cui-
Hddfs country fo'o IN oar possession.
WEIGHING BuTTER-A pedlar in the High.
lands, having run short OF butter applied to a
farmers wife for supply. "How muckie div
ye want" said she. "a pun will do. said
tEe pedlar. Il Gamma max We pun . repliod
the woman. Il hae pun weight ..WaaI
what weight hae ye - said the pedlar s.Twa
pun said the woman. "And which is the
weight" said the man, "Oh, it's list
the iangs." 'Well,' said he, ssput ane
leg in the scale, and the tither oot and that
Ill be a pun" The woman did SO as req ues ted
but when it wasweighed she looked donbtfuly
al the butter and said, 1t looks Il muckfa
pun: ..Oh, it's all right. woman said the
pedler. ''How much is itl'' "a saxpence."
was the reply, which the pedlar paid, and de-
parted rather hastily.
y The ST Louis Democrat says the ponder
Gus General Humphrey Marshall catches i,
severely from the rebel papers for his good easy
ways In allowing General Garter 10 invade
East tennessee and burn bridges, tear up rail-
ways, dc. Humphrey is very fat, and of course
very lazy and .'that's what's the matter
~ The Nash Vile Union is informed by the
best anthorIty that the infamous bully, robber
aud mIIrIlprnr -irIr