Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-05-21

Correspondence OF the AontgUmsry Advsrtiser.l
COURTLAHD, ALA !, May Since we have
fri-weskly mail from South Alabama, this sec
sion Of country, which has lately been so isoIa
ted, is brought more prominently before tk
public, and It may not be uuinserestiHg to on
South Alabama friends to know what Is goin,
on here, on the border of Ysnkeedom. Tn
excitement which was prevalent . few week
since IN regard 70 Decatur, has euksidsd; and q
ths enemy hss Withdrawn the greater portion o
the garrison and mAnifssts no desire to engag,
our forces, it has ceased to be a point of inter
est.
The command of Brig Gen. Roddy is stil ia
the valley and keeps such vigilsnt watch OF
the Fedsrals they never venture far beyond
their line Of fortiheati0ns. II Is reported tia
the greater part of the forces from the north sidl
| of the Tennessee river has been sent to Georgia
but with what truth, am unable to say. AL
the citizens, whether loyal to the South or Union
| in sentiment, have been sent out of Decatur
| Brig Gan. Dodge, that inc4rnAte Gand, whose
/ desolating scourge visited the Tennessee valley
last year, hzs been Masking the citizens of LRu
deE1ale county know what it is to live under
! Yankee rule.
All the negroes, stock and provisions hsve
/ been taken from the county, and in reply to q
committee who visited him to seek protection,
he said it was bis intention to make thspeopIs
Of North Aiabsma feel the power Of the Fede-
| raj Government. Many Who value property
more highly than principle, snd whoss patriot.
ism is measured by dollars and cents, have be-
come perfectly subjugated, bat tha greater por-
ton OF the citizens are true to their eountry and
calmly await the time when vengeance shall be
repaid and they delivered from the hand OF their
oppTessorB. North Alabama has been sadIv uais-
represented and great i1justiee done her. Il Is
true that much disloyslsy exists as is always
the case on the border, where deserters form the
army aud tories generally dwell with impunity
Popular sentiment has very materially changed,
and the people st this time are more united
than ever
Lieut. Col. John W Estes, of the 5lst Ten
nessee regiment has been appointed by Lieut.
Gen Polk, chief provost marshal of this district
A better appointment could not have been made
Col. Estes is most efficient officer, and his un-
firing energy, iRdomitabls perseverance, and
courteous manners, peculiarly adapt hin for the
position be fills. Already be has sent terror into
the midst Of the tories and dsseEiers, many Of
whom have had summary justice meted oGs to
fhenn.
Tns hAuuts Of the tories, which are generally
in the rocks and caves of the mountains ksye
been ferressed out by him and their dark and
disbolieal deeds brought to light He lately
found rock house on Spring creek, in Frank
In county, which was unknown TO the eitizsns
oi tne nelgAOotnood In Whlch Il was located,
aud in which was manufactured guns, powder,
shoes and various other articles, such as tories
need. Five men, seme Of whom had been in
the Federal army, were captured, and confessed
their dlsloysisy to the country, and that they
lived BY plunderins the citiEsns. Many articles
which they had stolen were foand end returned
to the owners. The night they were captured,
according 30 their own statement, they had been
engaged in burning forage. Great credit is due
Col Estes for his zeal in Riding this section of
tory bands, which have 50 long dWelt among Us
with impunity.
Brig Gen. Clsnton, Of Montgomery, with his
US The community in which Gen Clanton
campsd, al agrsed that no troops had ever vis
tied them who were more orderly and diseip-
lined than his. No depTedatons were COM
mitted and nothing done Gnbecorning true sol
der