March 2, 1863, The New York Herald
Our Memphis Correspondence.
MEMPHIS, Feb. 24, 1863.
Late despatches have just been received at headquarters here containing the following important intelligence:–
About sixty officers and men of the Third Michigan cavalry recently surprised the rebel troops in the town of Clifton, on the Tennessee river, taking the rebel Colonel Newsom prisoner, with sixty-one officers and men. Captain C. Newe, of the Third Michigan cavalry, was wounded in the leg. Among those injured on the rebel side were Colonel Newsom, right arm shattered; Lieut. Shelby, shot in the shoulder.
We captured forty good horses, saddles, arms, &c.; also a large quantity of commissary stores and the ferries. The town was burned.
It is reported that Van Dorn is at Columbia, Tennessee.
When our men had recrossed the river, and when about leaving, a fleet of five gunboats came up. The prisoners were turned over to Lieutenant Fitch, Flag Officer aboard.
Several boats have arrived from below since Saturday. Their information shows that no visible progress has been made in the operations. Our latest intelligence was to the effect that a mortar boat had taken a position above the point this side of Vicksburg, and had fired a few shell, which had drawn down a severe fire from three batteries. Contrary to expectation, the mortar boat has retained its position, and occasionally throws a shell. When she does so an answering fire comes prompt and sharp. Whenever any boat approaches the point a quick reminder comes from shot and shell, admonishing the intruder that he has approached forbidden limits. Thus far none of these irregular shots have done injury. Some of the boats on leaving noticed signals flying from Commodore Porter’s flagship the Uncle Sam, which they supposed to be indicative of some movement. A scow had been run through the canal, and the work, on it is steadily proceeding. The work at Lake Providence obtains hold on the confidence of river men and others. Some express a doubt of a sufficient flow of water being obtained; but the more experienced river men appear to think the danger rather lies in the possibility of throwing the stream too violently that way, as has already been explained in the Bulletin. The belief is becoming strong that boats will be able to reach Red river from the Mississippi at Lake Providence. The consequence of such a result could not fail to be very important, as the principal supplies of the unsubdued district there comes down the Red river. To pass in to the lake from the Mississippi, however, will yet cost some hard labor. The canal to be dug is three miles in length, and must wash considerably after it is dug in order to make it practicable for steamboats. The soil is not so stiff as that in the canal opposite Vicksburg, which is a blue clay; there is more sand in it, and the probability of its washing freely is therefore comparatively greater.
The latest arrivals represent renewed efforts being made on the canal opposite Vicksburg. Three thousand men, mostly soldiers, start to work on it every morning. The canal is dammed across at about one third of its distance from the point to starting. The new cut, from the main stream in the bed of the Mississippi, is kept clear of […..] or percolating water by means of powerful syphons worked by the steamboat Champion No. 3. Three dredge boats are at this moment coming down the Ohio river. When the water is admitted into the canal, the dredges will be set to work to deepen and cut out and facilitate the washing away of the banks and the entrance of the main current of the Mississippi across the neck of the bend.
Since writing the above, I learn that the mortar boat spoke of above has been towed up again. It was exposed, and could accomplish nothing except serve to show where the enemy batteries were situated.
I stated, a day or two ago, and on very high authority, that when the Indianola so successfully ran past the batteries of Vicksburg, and passed down the Mississippi, her destination was the Red river, which she was to ascend. It is now stated with confidence that this statement was a […..] to mislead the enemy, and that the real point for which the Indianola was bound was Black river, on this side of Grand Gulf, and forty miles below Vicksburg, where some of the enemy’s boats are lying and where a bridge, connecting the Jackson and Vicksburg Railroad, crosses. To obtain possession of or destroy this road would be to inflict a damaging blow on Vicksburg.
Much objection has been made to the plan of holding persons along the banks of the rivers responsible for the doings of guerillas, and of destroying the villages and plantations in case of injury inflicted by guerillas in their neighborhoods, unless they give warning of the intention of the guerillas to make attacks. This kind of responsibility was inaugurated in Europe during the French war, half a century ago, and an instance has just occurred in the river below which proves its efficiency. As the steamboat Clarabel, Captain Hank, was on its way up the river for this place, ten days ago, she grounded on a bar opposite Austin, Miss., and lay there eight days and a half. During that time she was, of course, helpless, and could have been made an easy prey by marauding guerillas. The neighboring inhabitants, on both shores, fearing to be held responsible in case of damage to the boat, took every means in their power to preserve her safety. Every hospitality was shown, and was readily given, and pickets were set above and below to give warning if any guerilla party should approach.
As an expression of their position on the point, nine large planters handed Captain Hank a paper, a copy of which I give. I wished for obvious reasons, the names of the signers; but they were those of gentlemen well known in this city for their high standing and influence. The paper reads: –
We, the citizens of Austin and vicinity, believing that, in war as well as peace, the right of individual property should be respected, are satisfied that the steamer Clarabel, now aground at Hunt’s Landing, in sight of Austin, Miss., is the property of Captain Hank and B. C. Currier, clerk on board; that we will discountenance and disapprobate any attempt that may be made to molest said boat Clarabel, and her fixtures and furniture, during their stay at the landing above named.