, 1864-10-31

by Inc steamer Belle Of 81. Louis, WHICH
arrived last night, we hare Memphis dat:s
Of the afternoon OF the 9Th. The BaZ<tin
says rebel battery is reported at Brandy
wi1e Point, above Island 81. The steamer
G. E. H1llman, down from Cairo Tuesday
night, was hailed above the island by gun
boat and notified that euch was the case.
The pilot IVES ordered to hug the land when
passing. The officers of the gunboat stated
that the Arago and Platte Valley were attack
ed going up, and two persons on board were
killed. Tie Hnlman pissed safely in convoy
ct the gurb0at and lay ut anchor short dis
tance below for several hours. but no rebels
, e1e eetD. Gunboats are on guard at the
Bend. Officers Of the Belle Of St. Louis saw
and heard nothing Of this battery on their
late trip up from Memphis.
1t Is reported that the rebel leaders in
West. Tennessee are exceedingly active, aud
have established railroad aud telegraphic
communications between Cortnth and jack
eon, making wholesale conscdption Of all
men able to bear arms, pressing In bo5s OF
Of the crave, at the same time sending agents
into everv portion Of West Tennessee out
side the Federal lines, to seize and appropti-
ate for the use OF The rebel arms everything
that can be made ayailable-horses, mules,
cattle ard hcgB, with housenold goods,
It Is reported that the itinerant rebel Coy
ernor Ct Tennessee, leham G. Harris, has
been recently in consultation with Forrest
and other rebel chiefe, and unless the Fede-
raj authorities fo1esta1l The project By some
movement, secession rebel Legislature is
to be held at eome point, 30 that it may 60
abroad as evidence that the rebels have per
mauently re-occupied West Tennessee.
! have bad conversation this morniug
With Captain Zetgler, of the steamer Belle
st. Louis, regarding the attack On his boasa at
Randolph. It seems tbata man named Har-
ris had come cotton at Randolph, Of which
place he nas resident: He had also two
bales put aboard at Memphis. Tire Belle
St. Louis stopped about midnight Of the
eth at Randolph, the request Of Harris,
and sent out George Atherton, second clerk,
and a number Of deck hands snd negroes, to
take on the cotton Capt. Zeig1er WAS on
deck, and soon after commencing operations
perceived about hundred rebels rushing
toward the boat, shouting and yelling. He
Immediately ordered the pilot to back of
from shore; but before he could get clear,
or before the clerk and deck hands could
rIshed luto the water, and managed to get
upon the lower deck forward. One imme-
d1atsly put revolver to the head Of each
engineer, and ordered the steamer brought
pocket-hook Of tbs engineers, enforcing the
order by presenting revolver. The engi-
neer pulled ont the money and showed it,
but said he would see the rebels in q hotter
place before be would GIVE it up. The rebel
fired and killed the engineer. The other en-
gineer Immediately put steam on his wheel,
which swung the bost into the stream.
Meant the rebels, to the numbcr Of
about 100 on shore, were firing Tolleys upon
the disabled boar, Woundiug one negro and
several vh!te men. One Of the Confederates
at this time came into the saloon forward,
8enanninr the SnrYanHer Mn7t nf tho. mas.
eengers were lying on the floor to escape the
bullets. Capt. Ziegler Was' just ascending
the companion ladder Whsn this rebel tred
at, but missed him. He then went above
and took his station and commanded the
movements Of the steamer, Notwithstanding
about him. Six OF the rebels, seeiag they
were beiI e carried out into the river and that
their orders we1e not obeyed, jumped into
the water and escaped. Two Mere left, the
officer who had demanded the surrender, and
q p!ivate who had demanded the pocket
book Of one OF the passengers.
The rebels On shore kept nptheir fire un-
I'll the boat got out Of range. Pilot McPhe.
tiers stood at his post mantully, as did other
officers. While the boat was backing out,
PaJmaeter Major Bu1er, q. 8. 4 , came ont
forward Of the ganEway, armed with re-
The latter had fired his pistol but drew re.
yolrer, when duel commenced between
Major B1ler and himself ut short range.
Several shots were fired on both sides, when
the rebel Was shot In the mouth and teu He
took aim after he Was down, nnd ehot Major
Bnler, killing him almost instantly. He then
gave up the ghost. I saw his body bnt
moment slice. he Was the man in command
of the party that boarded the beat under Bill
Forrest, brother Of GenerafTorrcst, aud the
came who had flourished his revolver in the
saloon, ordering the boat to surrender.
dispatch of last evening. It is supposed the
hancs Of several United States paymasterss
who were known to be on board: The rebel
captn1ed, olir, was shot through
recover. He is now IN charge Of
tee provost mar6hal, AID kindly cared
for. BE was found eecreted upon the aft
guard Of the boat, without hat or coat, md
10 papers upon his person. Heis young man
not over 19, AID DIMES being one Of the rebel
gang, but claims to have been passenger.
lie is identified, however, by eome one as
having made demand tor the surrender ofa
pnree, and there is little doubt Of his compu-
ctr with the rebels.
Some fifteen bullets passed through the
pilothouse, and five or six shots struck a
.stove.pipe upon the upper dscE, WhIca 10 the
darkness Iesembled the form of mau, and
was undoubtedly taken for one BY the rebels
on shore. No serious damage was done the
steamer. Nothing has yet been henrd OF Mr.
Harris, the clerk, GsoIge Atherton, or the
Geek hands lett at Randolph. All ara cup.
posed to be in rebel hands.