From Cairo

Special to Chicago Times

CAIRO, May 6.

The steamer Ella, from Pittsburg Landing, with advices to nine o’clock last night, has arrived.

Gen. Halleck has issued an order restraining civilians and all others from visiting the army.  The steamers going up during the last week have been crowded with civilians, going to gratify their curiosity by the sight of a battle, none of whom have been allowed to pass the lines.

Four deserters came in on Sunday, and reported that the enemy had not evacuated Corinth, but, on the contrary, had been largely reinforced of late.  Other deserters, however, report that Beauregard has withdrawn the greater part of his forces.  It has been impossible to ascertain which of these reports is correct.

The guerilla Morgan again made an attack on our pickets at Savannah on Sunday, but was driven back after light skirmishing.

The steamer Brown reached here this morning from Ft. Pillow, but brought nothing of interest.  The rebel fleet had not made its promised attack.  Preparations were quietly making for an active bombardment of the rebel stronghold.

At the election held here to-day for a member of Congress from the 9th Congressional district, votes were cast as follows: Judge Allen, of Williamson county, 210; Haynie, 83; Marshal, 29; Dougherty, 22; Sloan 1.

The nomination of Marcellus V. Strong for asst. Adjt. Gen. on the staff of General Strong, commanding at this post, has been confirmed by the Senate.

The steamer Bowen, which arrived here this p. m. from above, brought intelligence that a party of Capt. Hollin’s company of flying artillery, while out on a scouting excursion near Paducah last night, were captured by a company of rebel guerillas.

Up to Monday night no general engagement had taken place at Corinth.  Orders had been issued to troops to march on Sunday night but the movement was prevented by condition of roads, which heavy rains had made impossible on Sunday morning.  Gen. Pope, by placing a battery of artillery in an open field at Farmington, in sight of three rebel regiments, succeeded in drawing them on to take the artillery, and took the whole force prisoners, numbering nearly 2,000.  Several deserters [came] into our camp on Monday, and reported that great dissatisfaction exists in the rebel army, both among officers and men.  Beauregard had made a speech to some of the troops saying that he would make a desperate stand, and force the Federal army to retreat, and he appealed to them to stand by him.

A band of guerrillas still maintain warfare on all passing steamboats, and on Sunday drove in our pickets around Savannah, but fled on the approach of our infantry.  The Gunboat Tyler is now plying between Clifton and Pittsburg Landing, shelling the woods where the rebels are supposed to be located.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, May 8, 1862, p. 2