Memphis Daily Appeal, CS
We have an interesting letter from Friar's Point, concerning the movements of the enemy in Arkansas and on the river. It seems that the battery at St. Charles did good execution-the second boat of the enemy having been compelled to return to Memphis for repairs. As to other movements in Arkansas we have various reports, one of which is, that Gen. HINDMAN had succeeded in capturing the force sent from Tennessee to reinforce CURTIS. We do not think the intelligence at all improbable, though it is not directly confirmed.

LETTER FROM FRIAR'S POINT,

MISSISSIPPI.
EDITORS APPEAL: On Friday, 13th inst., was the first sight we had of the Lincoln gunboats. The Clara Dolsen steamer had been lying up in LaGrue (White river). Not liking her hiding place, she passed by here in the morning, intending to go up the St. Frances river, supposing that river to be a more secure place. About noon that boat came flying back down the river, pursued by a tug and several gunboats. I learn that the gunboats came in sight of the Clara near Helena, Arkansas, and fired some fifteen or eighteen shots at her, but did not hit her. The Clara had not steam up, but as she continued to make steam, she left her pursuers far behind, and made her escape, eluded her pursuers, and is now-no matter where, but I hope safe from the Lincolnites. Capt. Jones will destroy the boat before he will suffer her to fall into the enemy's hands. On Sunday following, two more gunboats and three transports passed down, and during last week several more gunboats and transports have passed down, and some up. On last Friday a gunboat rounded to at this place, and ran up to the bar, a mile above town, stopped and asked a few questions, and went back up the river-landed at Delta, inquiring for the Helena ferry boat, which they seemed very anxious to secure (as it had been used a day or two before, in transporting some of the Confederate States cavalry across the river). They finally succeeded in getting the ferry boat (a steam ferry boat) lying behind a tow heal, three or four miles below Helena.
On last Tuesday morning (l7th) we heard heavy firing in the direction of St. Charles, on White river, which lasted two hours. Various and conflicting reports reached us concerning it. But on last Saturday, I saw a gentleman from about the mouth of White river, who informed me that the fleet of gunboats pursued the Clara Dolsen up White river, but not finding her, continued up to St. Charles, near which place a raft of logs and fallen timber had been constructed for some four miles up and down the stream. The fleet turned back, when some one told them that some three or four steamboats were lying near St. Charles, concealed, they immediately started up the river, when, on approaching the bluff just below town, our batteries opened upon them, doing tremendous execution, a shot from our batteries passing through the boilers, thereby scalding about one hundred. The boat was shortly after found sinking rapidly, and the minions of Old Abe tried to save themselves by swimming ashore, but our sharpshooters, however, picked off the last of them. For this act (last mentioned) their officers give us a very bad name, and say we are worse than barbarians, etc , etc., forgetting no doubt, how they threw grape and canister amongst our poor men at the destruction of our fleet at Memphis. Another of their gunboats was badly disabled, which passed up in tow last Wednesday, having landed some thirty miles below here and buried twenty-six of their men, and the officers said they had three hundred wounded aboard. We can safely conclude they did not accomplish much in their favor, by the first gunboat expedition up White river. I do not pretend to say that the gentleman that gave me the above particulars was the reliable gentleman, but the fact of the heavy firing, the disabled condition of the gunboat and the graves of their men, which last several of our citizens have seen, all go to prove that the report is correct in the main. Heavy firing was again heard last Sunday (22d) in the same direction, which lasted nearly two hours. Should I hear the result before our mail leaves I will inform you of all.
There is much cotton in our county. and I do wish the authorities would have it destroyed. The planters are willing it should burnt, but dislike to do it themselves. In consequence of numerous breaks in our levee, during deep water, a large portion of our county was overflowed. Very little cotton has been planted, and the most of the corn crop is late, as many are yet planting. The cut worms destroy whole fields, in some instances, thereby compelling them to plant over, which makes the crops still later. Should we have favorable seasons, Coahoma county will be able to feed a large army, so far as bread is concerned. Not so with meat, however, for the hog cholera has destroyed nearly all the hogs in our county. The weather is dry and warm. Health generally good.
I have lengthened this letter out much more than I first intended. It may be uninteresting to your readers; if so, burn it. I will endeavor to keep you posted in any important matters that may transpire, from time to time, unless the Lincolnites get me or I fall by the bullets of the enemy. God save our Confederacy.
A.B.C.
Since writing the above I have learned the Yankees have full possession of White river, that the enemy took our battery and St. Charles on Tuesday, the first day's fight. The firing of last Sunday was their shelling the woods, our boys having picked off many a one of them. I also learned that they have removed the raft or obstruction in White river. A.B.C.