Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-02-24

I IRON me oeLMA hepoTttEi -.
There have been sioat for the past week, M.
merous reports derogstoTy to the troops and Off
| GERS Of Gen. Folks army. These reports are Of
no great consequence, it is true, but it is better
always 10 correct sueh if it can be done posi-
lively and truthfully, both on account Of the in
Justice done brave and capsule men and 10 pre-
vent disgrsceful psnies on tie part OF citizens.
Having had a fall and free conversation with
gentlemen who ere with the army the whole
time, sud who are in a position to know whereof
they speak, We End ourselves so posted as to be
able TO correct many Of the reports referred to.
It Was reported that the Mississippi troops
lad deserted aad we're deserving by whole con-
panies and battslions-thAs as many as three
hundred had deserted from one regiment, aud
that all Of them expressed their discrimination
not to fight. This is wholly false. There were
some few deseTtions, bat in sll not amounting
to two hundred men from the whole army. Gen.
Loriag, knowing that he had not forcs enough
TO meet the enemy in the field, determined 10
fall back before them, and when doing so, fur.
Laughed all men whose homes weTs on or near
shs line Of march, with orders to meet hin At
Demopolis. This the men did in almost every
instance.
We are assured that the soldiers Of this army
were never in better spirits, nor animkted by a
more fiery snd tTuer patriotism. On the march
of over two hundred miles, not q murmur was
heard, nor asingls word Of discomfort, nor faint.
heartednsss, but each and every one bore his
haTdships with msnly ferttude and hearty
cheeTfuineSs. jokes and laughter were the OF
dor of the day WHISTLER on the weary msreh,
Wzding swollen streams or about the camp-hrea.
In = word, the bsttle-scarHed veterans o. Lees
army never compoIicd themselves with more of
the dignity, manly foTtitude and bravery Of the
tTue soldier, than did thsse veterans Of General
LoTiBg. They are now at the proper place,
ready and willing TO staad mp msnfully TO save
our homes, frssides and property from the pol
luting touch of the foul invader.
No one OF the famous resreais Of history was
more skilllully managed and more successful
than this one. We are assured that not = pound
Of meat, of -four, OF Of any Government stores,
wss lost OF abandoned, with the exception of
some corn, for which transportation could not
be obtained, and one broksn-doHn wagon ct
Meridian. Gen. Polk was SO DESTROYS Of saving
everything that be gave his personal attention
10 The removal OF the stores. Knowing thst
Gen Loring was an officer ia whom eli reliance
could bs placed, he committed the management
of the army TO him, instrueting him to keep the
enemy cut Of Meridian until two O'Clock on
Friday and he would have all safe By that time.
At that hour precisely the lsst train, loaded with
flour, from Columbus, passed down, and al
twenty-five minutes passed two the Yankees
marched into Meridian. All the trains reached
Mobile safely and not a single one was lost.
If success be The measure Of kill and ability,
then Gen. Polk has shown that he possesses
them in the highest degree.