News From Below

ADVANCE OF THE REBEL FLEET

CAIRO, May 5. – A refugee from Vicksburgh, Mississippi passed through here to-day, enroute for St. Louis.  He brings news of importance, having left Memphis on Sunday.

Memphis papers of that morning published a dispatch announcing the occupation of Baton Rouge by the Federal forces, and the passage up the river of the Federal gunboats.  The largest vessels of the fleet were left behind at N. Orleans, which city is nearly deserted.

Butler’s army had landed and were occupying the city.

An immense amount of cotton in warehouses was discovered and seized.

The Union citizens had held a public rejoicing, at which hundreds crowded together and indulged in the most enthusiastic demonstrations of joy.

On the passage of the gunboats up the river, but little resistance was made to them, there being no earthworks to contest the way, until the fleet arrived at Baton Rouge.  Here, as my informant says, were stationed a few rebel soldiers most of whom were lately enrolled according the provisions of the Conscription act.  These, however, fled before the fleet made its appearance.

The United States Arsenal and Barracks were recovered at this point, and the old flag waves over the Union property in Louisiana.

The Southern papers are very meager of news respecting the passage of the gunboat fleet up the river.  Most of their articles being made up of verbose exhortations addressed to the people to defend the Mississippi valley from the enemy though little could be ascertained from the newspapers.

The citizens of Vicksburgh, Natchez, and other places along the river, were fleeing in great numbers to Memphis, which place is in a fever of excitement.

A citizen of Natchez told my informant that a strong force of Mississippi troops were garrisoning Fort Davis, which is located on Ellis Cliffs, nearly twenty five miles below Natchez.

These cliffs form a high ridge on the East bank of the Mississippi commencing 20 miles below Natchez and extending for several miles along the river.  It was thought at Memphis that the fortifications along this ridge would be for a serious impediment to the passage of the Yankee fleet.  Great alarm was felt and many were leaving for the interior.

With regard to the progress already made by the Federal fleet, the publication of such news has been restrained but it was reported by persons arriving from below that the gunboats of the enemy had arrived at Fort Adams which they had passed without resistance and were near Fort Davis.

At Vicksburgh, a fortification which has been in progress of erection for the last two weeks was very nearly completed.  Guns of heavy caliber have been sent from Memphis and are to be mounted on these works.

The rebel fleet from new Orleans had arrived at Memphis and was dispatched to the immediate relief of the fleet off Fort Pillow.

A large number of rebel steamers had taken refuge up White River.

All rolling stock had been concentrated at Memphis in readiness to take away the citizens in case the Federal fleet shall make their appearance.

The cities and towns of the Mississippi valley are plunged into the greatest terror by the unexpected capture of New Orleans.  Great indignation is felt towards Gen. Lovell, whom they accuse of cowardice and imbecility.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 4