Memphis Daily Appeal CS
Federal Reports from Helena and the River.
From the Memphis Bulletin, October 26.]
From passengers on the steamer Gladiator and Minnehaha, we gather a few items as to matters in that locality:
The military at Helena are active, and on the alert for any hostile force that may advance toward. All preparations have been made to give them a warm reception.
It is stated that the guerrillas are concentrating at various places in Arkansas, but none of the gangs have thus far shown themselves on the river. The gunboats are still drawn up in line of battle, prepared for efficient service.
Last Monday a detachment of Federal infantry paid a visit to Bledsoe's Landing, and destroyed all the houses and laid waste the plantations within five miles of the scene of the attack on the Gladiator. Among the houses destroyed were those of Messrs. Craig, Allen and Hamlin, in all of which, it is said, there was evidence of more or less complicity.
It is now authoritatively stated that it was not Harris' guerrillas who made the attack on the Gladiator. Harris, it seems, has been guilty of stealing horses and other property belonging to unoffending citizens, and has been arrested and sent to Little Rock on a charge of violating orders.
The party making the attack on the Gladiator is understood to have been "Wild Irish John." He had only a small force under him, and they appear to have been actuated only by a desire to kill and plunder.
The effect of this guerrilla attack on the Gladiator has been to deprive the planters still living along the river from getting supplies—for henceforth the Gladiator s not permitted to make any landings between Memphis and Helena. Those having cotton to ship feel the regulation to be a harsh one.
On last Thursday a scouting party capture the major of the Confederates who captured the wagon train, and he is now at Helena. He had stopped to get dinner, and while partaking of the sumptuous viands, he was surrounded and captured.
Everything wears an active, lively appearance about Helena, and we may at any time expect to bear of the clash of arms. The whole community there is represented as being apprehensive and expectant.