Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-03-13
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special Correspondence Of the Memphis Appeal
yIoKsBURo, Mareh II, 1853.
The passage Of a strange craft by our batteries night
before last, ereateda great sensation concerning her aso.
biguous character, and much controversy was had yes.
tsrday among those who witnessed her passage. Il is
rather remarkable that on a moonlight night. when an
object could bs visible IN the river, a craft Of any kind
should 20 down without being fully deserted from
shore, Although it vasraining at the time, it was not
by sny means very dark, and the craft could DO seen at
s distance from the river IS far as the courthouse, and
tbs ~Hentinels and others close 10 the river bank ought
certainly to have been able 70 make hero
But no definite description Of her could be obtained
until yesterday evening, when the report cane that She
had been scared at Warrenten, and proved to be q
large coal boat with a small quantity Of coal aboard.
It was supposed that she bad escaped from the fleet
above, and was making a voyage on her own hook
There are no fears entertained that the Confederate feet
below viii al be blown up on account Of this monster,
as she is secured and is safe in our hands A large
quantity Of ammunition was wasted, but it brought cut
some most excellent shooting from cur batteries.
Yesterday was a very unfsvorable day for observa.
lions, aud equally unfayorable for military movements.
The rain and fog obseured the view, 50 that not much
Of the onemy's dolngs could be seen. The water is now
d~isputing the possession Of the peninsula with them,and
they are working Iks beavers in throwing up ieves,
which is to prevent an overflow Of the camp. If the
river should getup to It's higheat mark it viii wash their
leyee sway and compel them 10 seek other quarters in
splits Of all their e~xertions. An Immense srmy is en-
ployed on the wsTk, and if labor and energy xiii save
the Yankee camp from inundation, they may perhaps
succeed in keeping the river out.
Nothing was noticed yesterday Of the boat which was
seen in the canal On the day previous. Il this channel
VIII ever become n~avigsbls at all. there mus be water
enough by this time to Aoat al the transports through.
The gunbosts being heavier d-aught, will require more
water, or may SO by way Of the river. Ike the Qpesa Of
ts Wsa and the Iaaianola If the heet attempts to
make the trip through the canal we will no doubt be sd-
visedo Of it at the tne, and able to make tbs necessary
arrangement for their reception below.
The execrable condition Of the Southern railroad de-
pHves US in a great measure Of mail privileges, and the
jackson papers are generally about half a week Old BY
the time they reaeh here, But there ara other depriva-
tious which WI mus, endure in these terrible times,
owing to the d~isoraered condition Of this road, which
will bring suffering aud b~uugerto many families, If no
arrangements are made soon by which supplies may
reach here independent Of this road The want Of
food for the army and citizens in this place is much
more pressing than Is generally known, or would be be-.
Hoved by any but those really conveFsant with the
facts.
IN regard to the scarcity of provisions, a certain fact
has come to my knowleega within the pas, few days,
which I dare not publish for sAame, and which nc man
could have endured to realize for a moment when this
war commenced History will have a fearful tale Of
puyauon and sudering to diVulge, wien it comes TO re-
count al that was endured during the siege Of Vlcks
burg The seant supply Of provisions is not for ihs
want Of their existence, as there are thousands in the
couRtFyi but the means Of transportation are made
quate to meet the great demand here and unless tue
railroad does better, we shall have to suffer.
Tbs very unpleasant weather yesterday culminar,d
in a tremendous rain and thunder STERN at night, AMI
the heaviest thunder I ever heard occurred about seven
o'clock. Il shook and rocked the houses like an earth.
quake, and the force Of the conclusion seemed to be
subteTranean, with a rolling, r~umbIiug noise. RAN.
lightning and thunder continue ed to q late hour at night
EESPOR