CAIRO, March 3.
Captain Holeman, of the 7th Ill. Cavalry, with 46 men, while making a reconnoisance of the country west of Charleston, Mo., came across 90 rebel cavalry, commanded by the veritable Jeff. Thompson, and after pursuing them a long distance forced them to make a stand about five miles below Sikeston. Jeff.’s artillery was planted in such a manner as to command all approaches, and our forces were compelled to charge in the face of his battery. This they did with great gallantry and succeeded in capturing four guns and putting the Confederates to flight, with a loss on our part of one man, who straggled from the command and was taken prisoner. The rebel loss not ascertained.
The steamer Isetta arrived from the Tennessee river yesterday. She reports that the gunboats Tyler and Lexington, accompanied by the transport Isetta, were approaching Pittsburg, a small town on the Tennessee river about eight miles above Savannah, and when within half a mile of the town were fired upon by a battery located upon a bluff overlooking the river. The gunboats replied and for one-half hour shot and shell fell thick and furious.
At the expiration of that time the battery was silenced. The gunboats continued to shell the battery for a half an hour, when, 86 marines and infantry left the boats. – They went ashore, burned one house, and visited one of the confederate camps. The enemy again opened fire, but our forces repulsed and drove them over the hill. The enemy’s forces, consisting of cavalry and infantry, being larger than the federals, they were enabled to flank them, and a retreat was ordered. This was accomplished in good order under heavy fire.
Previous to the retreat our men captured a drum, upon which was painted, “Captured from the federal army at Manassas.”
The battery at Pittsburg had been established since the first visit of our gunboats to Tennessee river. It is supposed that there were about 1,000 Confederate troops in the vicinity of Pittsburg. Our loss is 1 killed, 4 wounded, and 3 missing.
The Isetta brought down about 800 bu. Of contraband wheat, belonging to one Russel, a notorious rebel, formerly of Louisville. This was taken at Clifton.
The Isetta also brought down 20 Union refugees. The officers of the boat represent the existence of considerable Union Sentiment in that part of Tennessee visited by our gunboats, and say that the woods along the river are full of Union men, who have been driven from their homes and await the arrival of the Federal forces to rid them of their persecutors.
At an election held at Savannah on Saturday, for Sheriff and clerk of the courts, the Union ticket received 370 votes and the secession 45.
A gentleman just arrived from Charlestown, Mo., brings intelligence of the capture of forty men belonging to Jeff. Thompson’s command, and four small 1-poounder guns. The locality of the capture was five miles south of Sikeston.
Col. J. J. S. Wilson has resigned his position as assistant military manager of telegraphs.
CAIRO, March 1 – 9 P. M.
The sky is now most brilliantly illuminated by the reflection from a large conflagration, in the line of Columbus and apparently as far distant. It is the opinion that Columbus is burned. Rumors of its evacuation have been current in the streets all day.
Fresh rumors are rife here this evening of the evacuation of Columbus. It is reported that the rebels have retreated to Island No. 10, and will make a stand there. They claim it is the strongest position on the Mississippi river. Men and pilots here, however, deny its claim in that respect.
The transport Economy was sunk in the Cumberland to-day.
No boats from up the river have arrived to-day.
Secretary Stanton’s recent order is still a theme of discussion here, especially the 3rd regulation. Various views of it are entertained, the most recognizing it as a judicious order. Northern newspapers find their way to the rebels with the utmost regularity. St. Louis papers reach Columbus daily, probably by bottle navigation.
The various newspaper correspondents at Cairo paid their respects to Gov. Kirkwood of Iowa, this evening. The Governor has been here for some days, looking after the Iowa wounded. He is firm in the belief that the rebellion is in process of rapid extinction.
The Cumberland river is very high and rapidly raising.
The Tennessee Legislature is still in session at Memphis.
A very bright light, as of a large conflagration, in the direction of Blandville, was seen from here last night.
The flag of the gallant Iowa 2d, the first which was planted on the enemy’s works at Donelson, arrived yesterday, en route for Iowa. Three of the color bearers were killed and three wounded.
It is to hang over the speaker’s chair in the Iowa House of Representitives, and after the adjournment of the Legislature will be deposited in the archives of the Historical Society. The flag bears the marks of the terrible conflict at Donelson, having no less than sixteen bullet holes through it.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, March 5, 1862, p. 1
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