From Tennessee

Special to the Tribune.

CAIRO, March 28.

A gentleman who has just returned from Pittsburg and Savannah, on the Tennessee river, reports that on Sunday and Monday last Gen. Sherman sent a reconnoisance in force to Pea Ridge, near the line of the Mobile and Ohio RR., where it had been reported the rebels were fortifying.  The reconnoisance was complete in every particular.  No enemy, however, was found in the neighborhood.  The expedition returned to Pittsburg on Tuesday.  Our forces at Pittsburg are being rapidly augmented, steamer after steamer arriving continually, loaded with fresh troops.

The latest advices from the rebel camp at Corinth give the strength of the rebel force there at 170,000.  Recent indications relative to the persistent efforts of the rebels to fortify the town of Corinth would seem to demonstrate an intention to make a vigorous resistance there.

It is, however, the general belief of all prominent officers of Gen. Grant’s command that the rebels will retire on our approach, but should a battle occur Corinth will doubtless be one of the hardest fought and bloodiest affairs of the present war.  On Sunday last information was received at the headquarters of Gen. Grant, that a considerable amount of pork was stored at a point on the river, called Nichols’ Landing, sixty miles south of Savannah, Tenn.  Maj. M. Smith, of the 45th Ill., with one hundred and fifty infantry and Capt. Osbonad’s Co., 48^th Ill. Cavalry, was dispatched on the steamer to secure said property.  Arriving at Nichol’s Landing information was given by contrabands, concerning the locality of the pork in question.  Within a circuit of fifteen miles, fifteen thousand pounds of fresh pork, forty-five thousand pounds cured hams, shoulders &c., were discovered and confiscated.  They were then placed on the steamer, brought to Savannah and turned over to the Commissary department.

Nichols’ Landing and vicinity has been a mart of the pork business for the C. S. A. for a long time.  Immense quantities have been sought and stored there for the use of the Confederate army.  Had information arrived two weeks earlier it would have secured to us two hundred thousand pounds of meat.  Within that time the rebels have transported large quantities southward by teams.

On Monday the gunboat Taylor ran up the river to the vicinity of Eastport, near which point masked batteries opened upon them at a distance of two hundred yards, one shot striking the smoke-stack of the Taylor.  A number of shots were exchanged, with what effect on the enemy’s works is unknown.  The engagement was extremely spirited while it lasted.  Upwards of fifty shots being fired.  The Taylor received no other injuries than those above stated, and nobody was hurt.

Captains Bedard and Carson of Gen. Smith’s scouts returned to Savannah from Nashville, overland, on Tuesday night, as bearers of dispatches from Gen. Buell.

Gens. Nelson’s, Thomas’s and McCook’s divisions of Buell’s column reached Duck River on Sunday last.

Capt. Bedard reports a strong loyal sentiment in several districts of Tennessee.

Between Columbia and Savannah he overtook certain bands of marauding rebels, but their identity not being suspected they were allowed to pass unmolested.  Union men live in extreme fear of these marauders, who are prowling about in the vicinity, and are anxious for the approach of Government forces.

A man named Morris, one of the Jessie Scouts, was hung at Savannah on Sunday for horse stealing and other depredations from private citizens thereabouts.

Gen. Grant has entirely recovered from his recent illness.  Gen. Smith is still confined at his headquarters, but convalescent.

A steamer arrived from the flotilla early this morning, and reports no change in the condition of affairs at Island No. 10.  The bombardment continues with but little intermission, but results are unknown.  No sign of evacuation by the rebels.

Rumors were current that rebel gunboats had passed Pope’s batteries at Point Pleasant from below, but they can be traced to no reliable source.  The story is undoubtedly a canard.

The rebels are impressing citizens of Kentucky and Tennessee into service, and arming them with axes and pikes.

Four rebels armed with Arkansas “toothpicks” were arrested near Charleston yesterday and brought to Bird’s Point.  They claim to be refugees from Tennessee, but their story is disbelieved.  They remain in close custody.

Gen. Strong visited the Island to-day.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 2