Year: 1862




by our kilograms this morning, it Will be seen that
New Madrid has been evacuated By our forces The
following sketch of the condition of affairs in that neigh
borho0d. taken from the Memphis correspondence


Aarch l0th) OF the Savannah Republican, will be found
interesting:


You have already been advised that the enemy had
occupied Point Pleasant, some ten miles below New
Madrid, the Missouri side 0 the river They have


fired upon all the boats that have passed for the last
or three days and 1t may be they have prevented the
passage OF the boat due this afternoon. rumor PIE
vailed yesterday that Commodore HoIius lad sheIled
the Fderas out OF The pace, but the statement would
seem to lack confirmation.


1t Is OF the highest consequence that the COnee-
rates should be able mautalh their present position
on the Mississippi river. Island 10 is situated inst
where the boundary line between Tennessee aud Ken
ucky strikes the river and is very strong position
There need be doubt OF ability hold he Island
against The guDboas Of the enemy. Hickman. a few
miles above the Kentucky side, is also 10 our pos
session, and hold the bank OF the river from
that point down to New Orleans aud below 1t is from
the western bank that d4uger is be appTehended-
Our forces at New Ma ird, on the Missouri side are
already besegsd and now attempt is being made
plant battery at Point Pleasant on the same side
few mics lower down The permanent occupation of
either OF those places ny The enemy would cut of
munication with Island No. 10 by water and greatly
endanger that position, il, indeed it did lead event
ualiy to its abandonment 10 prevent such disaster
it will be found necessary to keep Commodore Ho.lus
gunboatS constantly IN motion, and possb'y to land
heavy force tie side of the river aud sweep
the entGy back into the country.


Thus you will STE how difficult it is to hold the river
and both OF its banks. Blocking up the channel and
occupying side do not prevent the enemy from sez
ing points the side and stopping boats by means
of his batteries. Nothing but large land force 10
addition to efficient water batteries and full compile
nent OF transportation and gunboats can enable US to
hold the river and prevent the descent OF the enemy
Memphis and New Orleans. 10 to this ef.ctually, will
require great skill and energy and adequate and well
! 90 tipped force. That Gems. Btauregard Polk and
Bragg are equal to the emergency, there need be
doubt The only ground or apprehension relates to
the means at their command. The Federas have been
preparing tor months tor the descent OF the river aud
they are now really and amply provided with men,
boats, arms and all kinds of supplies Unfortunately
the cannot be said Of the Confederates
Eastport, the Tennessee river, being the p.int
where the boundary line between Aabsma and Misss
sipp cuts the river is also place of great interest Just
now The enemy hope TO penetrate our lines from that
point Florence aud seize the Memphis and Charles
Ton Railroad, and thus 10 cut of communcations-
1t is reported that they have sent guubOat and fifteen
transports to Eastport and that others are to follow


The occupation 10 force OF the line of railway near that
point, would BE- flank movement similar to that a.
Fort Doneson, the prime object of which after the in
terrupton Of our communications, would be to force
Beauregard further down the Mississippi and to seiz
| CorlDth and Grand JuncOn-ponts OF railway inter
sections OF great lmportance-and the city of Memphis


Thus you will perceive the absolute necessity of maiu
tainlng position at New Madrid and Island No 10
and OF preserving the integrity OF lines along the
Memphis and Charleston railway. To do this 1t be
comes necessary tor TO keep strong force at both
points Federal SUCCESS at either point may lead to the
forcing OF the Mississippi and the occupation of Mem
phis, and after whiIe Of New Oreans-the Mecca to
wards which the eyes OF the Federal army of the Wes
are wsttuly .drned. With tue contlol of tie Mis-
siss ppi, should also lose the control OF the White
| Arkansas, and Red rivers. The loss OF these wate
highways would be disaster far greater than the ial
OF Fort D0neson and all the other reverses we have ex
perienced The possession of the Arkansas slone
with the Mississippi down to the point OF confluence
would render it all but impossible for Gen. Price TO
maintain himself in Missouri.


have been thus particular in order that your read
ers may appreciate the position of affairs In the West
and understand how important it is that we should con
tinue to hold the Mississippi river. Comprehendiny
the exgeuces OF the situation, the people will the more
readily make those efforts, without which success wer
impossible. The Southwest ia now one vast CAMP anC
the tread Of armed legions may be heard throughou
the length and breadth of the greatF alley of the Mis-
slssipp Every town and hamlet9is responding to the
call OF the victorious BeauregarG and il arms and am
mantion were to be had the abuadance as yot
nnteers the advance OF The invader woud be stay a.
We hope te be able 10 his footsteps any way AID
20 teach him that his further progress can cny oe ac
compisbed at cost OF rivers of blood Never were
peop mre aroused and resolute than those who live
this magnificent valley They are not only turning on
nearly their whole fighting population but their pYat.
arms also.