Memphis Daily Appeal CS
Stirring Times Predicted.
A dispatch to the St. Louis Democrat, dated Cairo, August 5th. says:
The steamer Victoria arrived to-day from Helena, which place she left Sunday noon. On her way down she was fired on by rebel batteries at Columbia and Greenville, and many other places by muskets. She may be said to have run a gauntlet from Helena to Vicksburg. Three shells exploded in her cook house, and one 32 pounder plunged through her cabin, piercing four staterooms and her wheelhouse. Strange to say, no one was injured. She has just left the wharf for St. Louis.
She brings as passengers General Curtis, and Captain Davis, of the gunboat fleet. They come here to confer with the government with regard to the campaign just entered upon. An important movement is commenced, but in what direction it will be made, would be improper to state.
Stirring times may be looked for in the South ere long. Rebel insolence will be taught a salutary lesson. Gen. Curtis looks worn by his long and arduous campaign. His hair and beard have whitened much since last December. Still he is cheerful and confident of success. The health of his army is good.
With reference to information received from negroes, he says in every instance he has found many intelligent slaves, who are ready to give any information, or do anything for the government, but in return they ask that the government shall make them free man. In every instance where valuable information has been given by slaves, or where they have been used on rebel fortifications, or in any other way for the benefit of the Confederacy, he has given them free papers.
The gunboats are undergoing a process of improvement. Bulk-heads, seven feet thick, are being constructed for the protection of the boilers. M.