From Below

ST. LOUIS, March 13. – A special to the Democrat from Cairo, March 11th, says a gentleman who left Memphis on Saturday, arrived here this morning and reports that there are no troops at Memphis.  Many persons were leaving the city.  Cotton, sugar and other articles of merchandise were being shipped down the river.  The Policy of burning the city was still being discussed. – Speeches were made every night.  All means were used to check the increasing demoralization and excite a war spirit.

Bragg had come up from Pensacola with 10,000 men.  They were sent to reinforce New Madrid and Island No. 10.

Bragg and Beauregard were at Jackson, Tennessee, constructing fortifications, and all negroes in the country were called to work on them.

Martial law was proclaimed at Memphis on Last Monday for the purpose of checking incendiaries and those contemplating to turn out and fight.

No defensive preparations were being made at Randolph, nor at the strong position of Fort Pillow, but less formidable than Columbus.

The rebels confess that a reduction of this place will give us all the points on the Mississippi.  Their gunboats are all at Island No. 10, carrying rifled 24 and 34 pounders, under Commander Hollins.

A messenger from New Madrid reports all quiet this morning.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 3