Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-26

AWNtcco CnYtNfCU.
Special Cjrrespondence Of the Appeal
YIcKsBURG, January q, 1863.
Since yesterday morning everything has been excite
mentp hustle and activity in these parts. Yesterday
morning a feet of gunboats and transports was discov-
cred around the bend of the river above Youngs point
and one black, ugly looking iron-olad was anchored off
the point, on tle opposite shore, a considerable distance
in advance of the others. The transports wers mostly
anchored near the Louisiana shore, where the debarka
ton Of the troops was effected.
Early in the morning It wa. discovered thsta consid-
cradle body Of the troops had been landed and were
eneamped close by the river, near the transports. Op-
erstons were going on all day in that vicinity, aud from
the NEST reliable accounts it appears that an effort is
being made to cut a road across the peninsula in order to
reach the river at a point below the city. BY planting
batteries along there, they hope to Intercept our nsyiga.
ton and also to obtain q base of operations against this
city from thar quGrier.
During the day there were const ant aecessions to the
aset Of transports, and he dense cloud Of smoke and
steam could be seen extending up the Mississippi to a
great distance. Persons from Louisiana report that an
immonsef flee. Of 0 Sc enty or eighty boats Is in tn
rfverbetween Youngs point and Pavpaw island. There
were no sdditioos to the gunboats daring the day.
There must be a large force eneampet on shore, as the
tents and camp fires can be distinctly obs rived from the
city. Last evening two camps were diseovesed-one
at the lower extremity of the feet and tho other further
up.
Arellabie gentleman reports that the Federal general,
McClernsnd, in a Communication with him, had told
him that the army sent against Yicksburg was not near
so large as the former one under Sherman; that he ex-
pseted to get whipped worse than before, but that the
government had ordered him TO attack Yieksburg with
the forces At his command, aad he wo5ld obey orders
aDd do the best be could at rejoicing tue place.
Seven Federal soldiers were captured yesterday by
Col. Pargoads cavalry, and brought in. They had
been on a nlarauding expedition among the farmers on
that side of the river, when our cavalry got upon their
track and bagged the party. They were brought to
the river below and put on a steamboat, which brought
them to tho city last evening. Ia mi iiary circles the
impression prevails that the enemy Ill endeavor on
some dark night to run some of rs iron clads by the
batteries for the purpose Of operating below.
The large feet OF transports anchored off in the dis.
lance gives tho river quite a picturesque appearance,
aHd resembles q small city upon the waters. Nothing
has yet been learned Of the number Of the forces
brought this tim but It Is not likely that it is any less
than the former was, though Gen McClenaud might
have said So for The purpose Of deception. But it is
certain tbst the plan Of attack has bee, changed, and
that this time a Commandment Of the city win be the
principal part played. NEsroR
Tie Enemy al Work on the Canal-Batsries on
the Opposite Bend Of The Ri0er, Belo0 the
City The Steamer VieksbHrg Runs the Gluls-
let and IS Fired Into.
YIcKsBURe, January p. 1863.
Yesterday morning was uzhered in with a dense fog
on the opposite side Of the river, which prevented per.
sons from this SIDE taking my observations. some of
our adventuroass scouts, however, crossed the river and,
under cover of the heavy fog, penetrated to within a
short distance Of the enemy They approached to
within speaking distance. aad plainly heard the Yankee
officers giving orders. From the tenor of these orders
it appeaIe certain that they were eHglged in cleaning
out the logs and drift from The cana. But nothing
eoul1 be seen, and our spies returned without having
male any optical observations.
Under cover of the fog he enemy had d fine opportn.
nisy Of conducting bis works without beiug discovered,
and there is no doubt but his availsd himself of the ad
want age, and thath he was engaged all day at the canal.
a. there were no demonstrations made by any Of the
boats, which leads to the inference that he troops were
otherwise employed, and the sequel proved this suspt
cion correct.
Some apprehensions were entertained that the enemy
would carry batteries Ct light artillery across the point,
aud Intercept our steamboat communication below.
TIL II cavalry has made its way some twenty miles down
the river, and an attack upon some Of odr steamers con-
ing mp. was expected, but none We're molested until
yesterday, when, as The Vieksburg was approaching our
batteries, only a short distance below town, a bst.
terry Of light artillery from the opposite shore opened on
her. She was struck three times, but ESCAPED safely to
the landing It is n W a fixed fact that there is a bat
tsry below town.
There Is a urnOr that the enemy had reached the riv-
er as Far down as Rodney, and captured the vicksburg
aad DsSoto ferry boat. This craft has been tnken down
there for repairs, and the fact that the enemy made an
attack upon the Tensss cavalry a day or two ago, lends
plaus biity TO the report It was bad policy for the fer
~ boat to leave this place, as she is needed here g the
present time as well asin times of peace.
Nothing was discovered yesterday to indicate the
plans Of the enemy, except the planting Of batteries be.