What a reliable Gentleman Says

CHICAGO, March 29. – A special dispatch to the Journal from Cairo says two gentlemen have arrived here from Memphis.  They report great preparations are being made at Fort Randolph; they talk of evacuating Fort Pillow.  At Memphis their great reliance is Island No. 10.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

Gen. Buell's Movements

The Telegraph has mentioned the arrival of Generals Nelson’s Thomas’ and McCook’s Divisions of Gen. Buell’s Column at Duck river, Tennessee, and the correspondence of a Cincinnati paper informs us of the passage, on the 22d, of Gen. Mitchell’s division through Murfreesboro.  But of course only these whose business and privilege it is to be posted, can tell the destination of these troops.  Duck river is an affluent of the Tennessee, and the point referred to by the telegraph as the one to which the main body of Gen. Buell’s army had reached, is doubtless in the neighborhood of Columbia, forty-six miles south of Nashville.

The plans of Gen. Buell’s operations are doubtless based upon hypotheses of the movements of the enemy.  It is not now known what relation Gen. Johnston’s forces at Chattanooga are to bear to the proceedings of Beauregard.  If Johnston has been greatly weakened, as is probable, by requisitions upon him for the defense of Corinth, Gen. Mitchell may be thrown forward to observe and menace him, whilst the other divisions may march to cut off the retreat of Beauregard, Polk, and Bragg, simultaneously with advance of Gen. Grant from Savannah and Pittsburg.  Or if Johnston has been or is likely to be, reinforced from Virginia – a chance exceedingly doubtful – active operations may be turned against him.  The rebels must know very well that if Buell’s divisions had been ordered to the direct support of Grant, as for instance, to attack the left wing of the Confederates at Jackson, he would have transferred his forces by the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers to Decatur, Tennessee, and not overland. – But it is evidently not the purpose to operate on the left flank of the enemy, which would merely result in driving it back to Forts Pillow and Randolph, but to turn and overwhelm the right at the same time barricading the whole like of retreat, thus investing a whole army and compelling it to capitulate.  This would of itself capture the rebel forts between Island No. 10 and Memphis, when Com. Foote would at once advance with his flotilla.

It is idle, however, to speculate upon events the reality of which must soon be presented. – Everybody seems, by mutual consent, to regard a great conflict as near at hand, and as we have heretofore said, some of the finest strategic and tactical operations may be anticipated on both sides. – {Mo. Rep.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 2

From Dixie

CHICAGO, March 25. – The Tribune’s Special from Cairo says that a gentleman just from Memphis brings the following information:

Memphis is in a state of agitation and terror.  The Fair grounds are for a camp, every one capable of bearing arms being impressed into the service.  Men are even dragged from their beds.

The proclamation of the Mayor in regard to burning the city has no influence.  The majority of the Aldermen, in connection with the leading military officers, decided at a meeting held a fortnight ago, to burn the city when they evacuate in spite of the mayor.

There are no fortifications at Memphis.  The news of the battle of Pea Ridge caused great depression.  Federal gunboats expected daily. – Two hundred and five Union prisoners in the city, who are made victims of much abuse at the hands of the guards.  One of them was shot at for looking out of a window.  Three gun boats are on the way at Memphis, but it will take a long time to finish.

At Randolph only four guns are mounted, but at Ft. Pillow, however, there is a strong fortification, mounting 25 sixty-fours and thirty-twos.  There are about 7000 troops there.  At Union City there are only 450 troops.

Gens. Beauregard, Cheatham, Polk and Clark went to Corinth, Mississippi, a fortnight ago. – The rebels have a force of 38,000 men there and expect to make a stand either at Corinth or below.  It was the general impression that this battle would be the decisive one of the campaign, and that the fortunes of the South would hang upon its result.

At Memphis and other large points, even at New Orleans, considerable Union feeling prevails.  Southern papers do not represent the feelings of the mass of people.  They as well as everything else are under control of politicians and the military.

At New Orleans thirteen gunboats are on the ways to be plated with railroad iron.

Fort Pike represented to be in our possession was only a temporary structure mounting only three or four guns.

The report that the South is well supplied with provisions is absurd; they have not stock enough on hand to last three months.  Clothing, shoes, &c., are all very difficult to obtain.  No confidence is felt in southern currency, southern politicians or southern military leaders.  Jeff. Davis was universally denounced as incompetent.  Floyd is everywhere considered an arrant knave.

Mr[s]. Buckner had arrived at Memphis.  She complained of not being allowed to go further north than Cairo.  In the parlor of the Gaiso House she attracted the universal attention by her bitter denunciation of Pillow and Floyd.  The former is reported to have said that he would shoot Floyd whenever he met him.

It was the general opinion at Memphis that no stand would be made at Island No. 10, but that a battle would be risked at Fort Pillow. – At the latter place, however, retreat is cut off by land, as the country in the rear is inundated and swampy.

A detachment from Jeff Thompson’s band under the command of rebel Kithen made a demonstration in the vicinity of Bloomfield, Stoddard Co., Missouri, (about 12 miles north of the Cairo & Fulton Railroad) and succeeded in arresting two ladies residing there – the wife of Lieutenant McCall of Powell’s battery and Mrs. D. Basfort, of Bloomfield.  The ladies have been taken to Commerce Island, seventy miles below Bloomfield, near Arkansas, where Jeff’s camp is located.

Col. Michael Foley, of the 18th Illinois, who was wounded at Benton Barracks, arrived to-day en route for Pittsburg.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4

First Day’s Fight at Island No. 10

CAIRO, March 17, on board the Benton, Island No. 10, March 16. – Got under way at daylight this a.m. and dropped down to within range of the upper battery and commenced to arouse them with the rifles of the Benton, while the mortar boats were trying to wade into position.  Only a couple of shots were fired, when a white flag was seen to wave from the works and to continue waving until answered by a white flag from the flagship.

Of course firing ceased, as did also all operations, even the moving of the mortars, while a tug carried Lieut. Bishop down to see what was wanted.  On arriving at the work he was answered that they were signaling their works down the river and did not wish to communicate with us; a mere subterfuge to gain time, which was followed up by the Grampus, with a white flag, steaming towards the tug from the Island.  Lieut. Bishop was of the opinion that time enough was lost and did not wait for the Grampus, but steamed off for the Benton and the Grampus hauled down the white flag and ran back under cover again.

Up to this time no rebel colors had been shown from the battery, but now it went up and the preparations to get it down regularly in the approved method went on with renewed vigor.- Eight mortar boats were soon in position and engaged in throwing 13-inch shell.

Lieut. Bishop disgusted at the bad taste of the rebels who did not wish to communicate with so gallant and good-looking officer, by permission of the flag-officer and Capt. Phelps, he opened directions by guns of the [Benton’s] rifled 74; with such style that the rebels ran from the work and their flag was covered with dirt and mud.

The firing was kept up steadily though slow until 5 P. M.  The mortars exploding 210 shells and the Benton 41.  The heart of every man in the flagship was saddened by sympathy with the grief of our beloved flag officer Foote, who received by the dispatch boat at noon intelligence of the death of his second son, a lad of 13 years, of exceeding promise, of whose illness the Commodore had no previous intelligence. – To-morrow will see the reduction of one or more of the enemy’s works and the close investment of the whole.

The place is very strong – four our point of view we could see forty-four guns in position and negroes were busily at work on the battery out of our reach, on which to-morrow we shall probably find heavy guns mounted.  With all these notes of preparation and all these premonitions of a hard fight, some incredulous people will suspect that the troops marching across the woods from Island No. 10, to Maryweather’s landing on the Mississippi below Point Pleasant, a distance of only 5 miles from the Island over a practicable road, and that when they are embarked on the fleet of boats, the smoke of which has plainly been seen all day at Maryweather’s, we shall find the next empty and the river clear of rebels to Randolph of Fort Pillow.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 4

Gen. C. F. Smith's Operations

The army under Gen. C. F. Smith, (Paducah Smith, as he used to be called) which left Fort Henry several days ago, for an expedition up the Tennessee river, has disembarked at Savannah, 14 miles north of the State line.  Reports say that Gen. Lew. Wallace’s division had marched across to Purdy, McNairy County, which is six miles west of Savannah, burning a bridge and taking up the track of the railroad connecting Corinth, Mississippi, with Jackson, Tennessee.  The bridge destroyed we take to be a structure over the Hatchie river.  The railroad referred to must have been lately put in running order by the rebels, as it was still unfinished but a short time ago.  The destruction of the bridge and track seems to have been very timely, preventing a train of the Confederate troops, which Gen. Johnston was sending to the relief of Island No. 10, from going up.

We suppose the next move of Gen. Smith will be overland to Corinth, which is about twenty-two miles from Savannah, on the Memphis and Charleston railroad.  The distance from Corinth to Memphis, we observe is stated in some of the newspapers to be sixty miles, but the time table of the road itself makes it ninety-three.  The possession of Corinth will cut the communication between Johnston’s and Beauregard’s forces, and this will be all that Gen. Smith will need to do until the rebels fall back upon Forts Pillow and Randolph.  The Confederates are already hemmed in on three sides, so far as the Mississippi Valley is concerned, and it is a gone case with them. – Mo. Repub

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 2

From Tennessee

LOUISVILLE, March 10. – An intelligent gentleman who left Memphis on Wednesday last, reports that the citizens are greatly alarmed and are relying on Fort Pillow, Near Fort Raldolph for defence.  There are very few troops at Memphis.

The Legislature succeeded, after several ineffectual attempts to transact business.

Gov. Harris is greatly excited, and is flying about from one southern point to another with little probability of succeeding in his efforts to rally the people to his aid.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 15, 1862, p. 4

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

Second-Hand Chicago News

CHICAGO, March 12. – A special dispatch from Cairo, March 11th, to the Tribune says:  A brigade of our troops went around New Madrid on Saturday last and arrived Sunday at a small settlement on the Mississippi, called Point Pleasant, about ten miles below that place, and took possession of it.  The occupation of this place by our troops cuts off communication of the rebels at New Madrid.

The bridge upon the Cairo and Fulton Railroad has been repaired and trains run regular from Bird’s Point to Scoville.

A large number of scouts from the 51st Illinois regiment arrived last night.  The regiment is now with Gen. Pope.

Waterhouse’s Chicago Battery is now encamp[ed] just north of the city.  Twenty-eight are on the sick list.

Brig.-Gen Cullom, Chief of Gen. Halleck’s Staff and Chief Engineer of the Department of Missouri, returns to St. Louis immediately, impaired health rendering a change necessary. – Gen. Strong relieves him.

Authentic news received says the rebels have strongly fortified Island No. 10.  Our gunboats are thoroughly prepared for the emergency. – Steamers are also in readiness.

The Transport Hiawatha arrived this morning with supplies destined up the Tennessee.

The Times Special Cairo dispatch says it is learned that the rebels intend making a desperate stand at Fort Pillow.

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

The Note of Alarm -- Importance of Holding Memphis

(From the Memphis Avalanche, Feb. 26.)

We are gratified to find that the opinions expressed by us with regard to our proper line of defense in the State, are gradually being accepted by all reflecting minds.  Some of our journals have gone astray on the absurd idea that the enemy intended making their strong demonstration against Nashville, strangely concluding that the capital of our State, on a small stream, was of more value to our foe than the command of the great inland sea.

Last November, some of our most intelligent and sagacious citizens regarded Columbus as the point mostly coveted by the enemy, and urged instant and adequate preparations for its defense.

One of our cotemporaries, the Appeal, with more zeal than wisdom, ridiculed the idea of there being any necessity for such preparation as men of sounder judgment and greater sagacity thought advisable, and did much to dampen that spirit which is always essential for any great emergency.

We are glad to see the Appeal returning to a sensible view of this question of defense, and in so nearly our own language as to convince us that it has derived much benefit from the perusal of our late articles upon the importance of defending the Mississippi river, at all hazards.  Our cotemporaries south of us have never committed the blunder of the Appeal, in supposing that our invaders ever intended making anything like a serious demonstration against this valley by any land route nor have they made the worse blunder of discouraging our people from the active preparation in which consists our safety.  The chief object of the enemy was and is too patent for men of sagacity not to see it, and we may rest assured that the country now properly estimates the importance of the question involved, since the Appeal has at last comprehended it.

As we have said again and again, the enemy’s great blow will be struck in his attempt to gain command of this valley.  If Columbus and Memphis should fall he would have uncontrolled sway for two thousand miles of the richest agricultural region in the world, extending from the lakes of the North to the Gulf of the South.  He can move his gunboats and transports at will – not five miles per day, as he now moves his army on land but fifty or one hundred miles per day.  He will garrison towns as he goes with troops enough to keep down all opposition.  He will thus penetrate the heart of our cotton and sugar region, and it will be no ordinary task to drive him from it.  At least it will not be done till cities, towns, villages, hamlets and private dwellings are laid in ashes, and manhood and womanhood be made to drink the cup of bitterness to the dregs!

It is strange, passing strange, that any citizen of this valley could ever have been deluded as to the chief design of the enemy!  And it is strange – we had almost said criminal – that any respectable journal of the South could be found trying to prevent our people from making that preparation for defense called forth by the magnitude of the interests at stake on both sides.

Let Nashville fall, as it probably must but that need not create the panic which now seems really to have seized upon some of our people, a panic which most unfortunately has not been allayed by the adjournment of our executive and Legislature form Nashville to Memphis – a measure deemed by the Executive, Governor Harris, proper and necessary.  We repeat it – let Nashville fall – its value to us is nothing compared with Memphis and this valley!

Our duty is before us, and it is plain.  We must defend the Mississippi river and the Memphis and Charleston railroad!  While we would not pluck our opinion against any commanding officer at Columbus, we are frank to confess that we think Fort Pillow is the point for a stand on the Mississippi, if it be not too late to abandon Columbus.  The latter place is too far from the great artificial line of support and defense – the Memphis and Charleston Railroad – and if Fort Pillow can hold the enemy in check in his advance by water, he will never advance by land.

Be it Columbus or Fort Pillow, one or both must be held, and a point on the Tennessee river (say Hamburg).  With these two river fortifications made impregnable, and others between them, in easy supporting distances of each other, we can defy the advance of the foe for all time to come.  Men, however, are needed for this duty.  It will not do for us to rely upon President Davis, or any other great man, for help, in this hour of trial.

Much is said about President Davis sending us aid.  This may be so.  We trust it is so, but we confess we do not know what point on our Potomac or coast lines, can be safely weakened just now.  Large forces are threatening us in all quarters, and we must rely upon ourselves!  Upon the men from this great valley!  The Legislature will probably soon authorize the Governor to call the militia into active service.  For the sake of honor and manhood, we trust no young unmarried man will suffer himself to be drafted!  He would soon become a bye word – a scoff – a burning shame to his sex and to his State!  Leave that for old and married men but in the name of patriotism let us not see young men parading our streets as militia, when the guns of hundreds of sick soldiers are waiting for them at Columbus.

We invoke the attention of our girls and wives upon this subject, and if young men, in pantaloons, will stay behind desks, counters and molasses barrels, let the girls present them with the garment proper to their peaceable spirits.  Success will make demons of our invaders, and success in the invasion of this valley will be more cheering to them than victory at any other point.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

Direct from Memphis

(From the St. Louis News, March 1st.)

We had an opportunity, yesterday, of conversing with a gentleman, who left Memphis last Saturday, and reached St. Louis yesterday morning.  He came to New Madrid by boat, thence by land to Price’s Landing, where he crossed the river to Illinois, reaching the Central Railroad.  He has been a citizen of St. Louis, but for some time past has been living at Memphis.

He says there was much depression at Memphis caused by the late rebel defeats, particularly those on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers; and it was generally admitted that Memphis was in great danger.  All the gold and silver in the Banks, and the treasures of private individuals, had been sent off to New Orleans for safety.  Confederate money, Tennessee notes, and shinplasters had gone down – or rather, all commodities had gone up.  There was no money to be had but paper notes and shinplasters, and of course they had to circulate at their variable value, being indicated not by their own fall, but the rise in price of all articles of trade and consumption.

He says gold could not be bought at any price, and even silver change had entirely disappeared from circulation.  The people of Memphis, however, show no signs of yielding, but say they will defend their city.  All persons of military age turn out at two o’clock in the afternoon every day for the purpose of drilling.  Only a few shot guns were to be had in the city.  A large number of pikes were being manufactured, and with these they hope to compete with the minie rifles and muskets of the Federal troops.

There are no fortifications at Memphis.  The design is to protect the city, if possible, by a defence at Fort Pillow, just below Randolph, sixty miles above Memphis.  At this point there is a bold and nearly precipitous bluff, abut eighty feet above the level of the river, commanding a stretch of the river for three miles above, while the land approach to the fort is protected by a rugged conformation of the ground, and by the Hatchee river, which empties into the Mississippi a mile above the fort.  A call has been made for several thousand negroes from the neighboring counties to complete the works at Fort Pillow.

There were no troops at Memphis.  At New Madrid, there is a fort just below the town, defended by a force whose strength our informant had no means of ascertaining.  He understood that the post was under the command of a Gen. Grant.  It is a mistake, our informant states, to suppose that many St. Louisians who went to Memphis, last summer, are in the army.  Very few of them are, but are living in Memphis as private citizens, making a living as best they can.

There is no great scarcity of necessaries at the South, though many articles such as tea, coffee, butter and salt, are high.  Sweet potatoes are abundant and cheap, and many persons make them their chief article of food. – Leather has become cheaper since the erection of tanneries throughout the country.  Nearly all articles of clothing and other fabrics of general use, formerly imported, were being manufactured in the Southern States.  The stores, however, are destitute of the find goods formerly sold, and the apothecary shops are almost entirely bare.

The rebels have established powder mills in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, and have an abundance of powder, such as it is – a weak article, and deficient in power.  As an evidence of this, it may be stated that many of the Federal soldiers wounded at Fort Donelson, picked the buck-shot out of their merely skin-deep wounds without the assistance of surgeons.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 2

From Cairo

CAIRO, May 27 – The adjutant of the 10^th Michigan was killed on Tuesday while taking observations of the rebel entrenchments through a glass.

The mortars of Com. Davis’ flotilla have again renewed the bombardment of Pillow.  They are firing at intervals.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 31, 1862, p. 3

CHICAGO, March 29 [1862].

A special dispatch to the Journal from Cairo says that two gentlemen have arrived direct from Memphis.  They report that great preparations are being made at Fort Randolph.

The talk of evacuating Fort Pillow at Memphis.  Their great reliance is on Island No. 10.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 31, 1862, p. 1

The President takes Another Step.

Our excellent President has taken another step in the right direction; he has given his unqualified approval to an additional article of war, which goes into operation immediately, discharging from service any officer, military or naval, who shall be found guilty of employing any of the force under his command for the purpose of returning fugitive slaves.  That is good, “firm as rock he stands on the Constitution.”  As the Tammany men say, “he will prove himself a good democrat before the expiration of his present term.”  If this be democracy, commend us to it.  It is a bitter pill to the pro-slavery press, but it is used to such doses – it can sugar coat and swallow it without a wry face.  The ambidextrous prestidigitator who presides over the Democrat of this city, can convert it into a sweet morsel and roll it under his tongue, all the time disguising his groans with shouts for the man who “stands like a rock on the Constitution.”

Good again, say we; but where are the defenders of Gen. Stone, the admirers of Col. Oglesby, and the worshippers of “Order No. 3” of Gen. Halleck?  Gen. Fremont’s policy was right, so said the President, but the time he thought had not arrived to adopt it, the hold of slavery was yet too strong on the country, the pro-slavery press of the North would rebel, the Border States might forget their allegiance – but the time has now come, there stands the article approved by the President and who dares say nay?

Standing firm as a rock on the Constitution, and taking one more step and the policy of Gen. Lane will be that of the Government, and the death-knell of slavery and the rebellion will resound throughout ever swamp and bayou of the South.

The telegraph informed us, a few days since, that “large gangs of negroes have been set to work on Forts Randolph and Pillow.”  Previous to the approval of the above order if any of those negroes had escaped from either of those forts, and sought the Federal army from protection, it was the policy of the Government to send them back to work to strengthen those fortifications!  That this was done is an absolute fact.  Early in September last, about four hundred slaves were set to work in erecting the fortifications at New Madrid.  Three of these slaves deserted, bearing with them important intelligence, and made their appearance at Bird’s Point, and offered their services to our Government.  Col. Oglesby, then commanding, ordered their return to their disloyal masters, and they were driven back to assist in building the breast works and fortifications, to rebel the Federal army, when it should make its attack on that point.

Slaves were used in building the fortifications at Columbus.  Seven of them, mounted on horses, escaped to our ranks one at a time.  The horses were retained and the slaves driven back!

Is it not time, full time that an order was promulged throughout the country, prohibiting such inconsistency in future?  It is, and the man who would oppose the adoption of such an order is a sympathizer with the rebels.  The Government has already sacrificed enough at the shrine of slavery; and while the people of the North are willing to give their service, their money, and their lives for the preservation of the Union, they are unwilling to prolong the war a single hour to preserve slavery.  They would rather see it sink, and all cause for future hostility removed.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 18, 1862, p. 2

From Memphis

ST. LOUIS, March 13.

A special to the Democrat, from Cairo 12^th, says that a gentleman who left Memphis Saturday, and arrived here this morning, reports no troops at Memphis.  Many persons were leaving the city.

Cotton, molasses, sugar and other articles of merchandise were being shipped down the river.  The policy of burning the city was still being discussed.

Speeches were mad every night, and all means need to check the increasing demoralization and increase the war spirit.

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

Bragg and Beauregard are at Jackson, Tenn., constructing fortifications.  All the negroes in the country are called to work on them.

Martial law was proclaimed in Memphis last Monday, for the purpose of checking insubordination and compel the citizens to turn out and fight.

No defensive preparations were being made at Randolph, nor between there and New Orleans.

Fort Pillow is a strong position, but less formidable than Columbus.  The rebels confess that the reduction of this place will give us all points on the Mississippi.

Their gunboats are all at Island No. 10, and carry rifled 24 and 32 pounders.  The fleet is under command of Com. Hollins.

A messenger from New Madrid reports all quiet this morning.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, March 14, 1862, p. 1

From Washington

CHICAGO, March 12.

A special Washington dispatch to the Tribune says, it is believed that rebels have been evacuating Manassas for months back.

McClellan will to-morrow cease to be General-in-Chief.  Stanton will issue a general order, announcing the change.

Flag officer Dupont writes in a private letter that the rifled 120 pounder, captured at Fernandina, was a finer cannon than any we have.

A special to the Times, dated Centreville, 11^th, says this stronghold presents scenes of gloom and desolation rarely witnessed.  The rebels commenced evacuating on Saturday last, and continued until Sunday night.  They then blew up all the bridges and tore up railroad tracks, but during the latter part of the evacuation a terrible panic seems to have seized the rebels, they leaving in greatest haste, burning the remaining tents, forage, transportation and provisions.  In fact they destroyed everything they could not remove.

Most of their cannon have been carried away.  Those remaining are of inferior quality, but all spiked.  The fortifications are most formidable, stretching over a chain of hills in the rear of Centreville for several miles, one behind the other, at proper distances; so if we took one we would be at the mercy of the next.  They are all constructed with great skill, and command the surrounding country.

The fortifications at Manassas are not so formidable, appearing to be the same that were there when the Bull Run battle was fought.  Bomb-proof casemates were in those at Centerville.  Our cavalry entered the latter place during the night, and soon after reached Manassas Junction, hoisting the stars and stripes on the flag-staff.  It is evident the greater part of the rebels retreated to Culpepper Court House.  During Sunday night, the rebels on the lower Potomac fled in a panic by the Fredericksburg railroad to Richmond.  The country back of here for thirty miles is almost a perfect picture of desolation and destruction.  It is the prevailing impression that the rebels will not stop this side of Richmond.

A special dispatch from Cairo, 11^th to the Tribune, says: A brigade of our troops went around new Madrid Saturday last and arrived on Sunday at a small settlement on the Mississippi, called Point Pleasant, about ten miles below the former place, and took possession of it.

The occupation of this place by our troops cuts off communication of the rebels at New Madrid.

The bridges upon the Cairo and Fulton Railroad are repaired, and trains run regularly from Bird’s Point to Sykeston.

Authentic news received at Headquarters say the rebels are strongly fortifying Island No. 10.  Gunboats are thoroughly prepared for the emergency.  Mortars are also in readiness.

The transport Hiawatha arrived this p.m. laden down with Iowa troops; destination up the Tennessee.

The Times’ Cairo special dispatch says an arrival from below says the rebels will make a desperate stand at Fort Pillow.  They have the river fortified for three quarters of a mile.

Large numbers of sick from the 51^st Ill. regiment arrived last night.  The regiment is now with Gen. Pope.  Waterhouse’s Chicago battery is now encamped just north of the city.  28 are on the sick list.

Brig. Gen. Cullum, Chief of Gen. Halleck’s staff and Chief Engineer of the department of Missouri, returns to St. Louis immediately, his heath rendering a change necessary.  Gen. Strong relieves him.

WASHINGTON, March 11.

Dispatches from Fort Monroe this evening state that all was quiet.  No information has been obtained about the Merrimac’s injuries.  She reached Norfolk Sunday evening.

There is evidence that the main body of the rebel army left Manassas nearly two weeks ago.

The roads in Virginia are improving.

It is believed that a portion of the rebels who evacuated Centreville were ordered to reinforce Winchester.

The forces under Gens. Hamilton and Williams, constituting a reconnoisance, arrived at Stephenson’s depot, five miles from Winchester, this evening, without serious opposition.

WASHINGTON, March 11.

Six Southern men voted aye, and nine nay, in the House to-day, on the President’s emancipation resolution.  The others from the border States were not in their seats.

Herald’s Dispatch

Before dark, last night, Col. Averill, with a large body of cavalry, entered the far-famed rebel works at Manassas, and bivouacked for the night under the ruins of the rebel stronghold.

The intelligence gathered at Manassas and in the neighborhood tends to show that the whole rebel army has retired southward. – It is not credited that they will attempt to make a stand near, as the country is open, level, and unpromising for defensive warfare.

The opinion is gaining ground that Gordonsville was simply the rendezvous for what was lately the rebel army of the Potomac, as it is the junction of the Orange and Alexandria with the Virginia Central R. R.  The only point at which they can, with any sort of confidence, attempt to make a stand is near the junction of the Frederick and Potomac with the Central Virginia railroad, in which neighborhood the North Anna and South Anna rivers united and form the Pamunkey river about twenty miles north of Richmond.  At this point the country is much broken and admirably adapted for defense.

It is reported that in their retreat the rebels have destroyed the railroad bridge across the north fork of the Rappahannock.  In their haste they have left behind straggling parties of soldiers, who seem to be very glad to be made prisoners.  Wherever they have gone, it is evident that their army is completely demoralized and totally unfit for service.  The moral effect of the retreat from Manassas to Richmond will be the same throughout the South as it is in this part of Virginia, and the impression prevails that the Southern Confederacy has collapsed, and many of the people thank God for it.

The forts are all abandoned, but log houses, hundreds in number and ample to accommodate fully 30,000 troops, still remain.  Also immense numbers of tents and heaps of dead horses cover the fields in the vicinity.  The log huts are strewn all along between Centreville and Manassas.  The railroad track is undisturbed, except the bridge across Bull Run, on the Warrenton turnpike, is blown up; as also the bridge across Cab river between Centreville and Manassas indicated to the precipitate fight of the rebels.  Some caissons were found, but no guns.  Piles of bullets and cartridges were left, and an immense quantity of Quartermaster’s stores.  In one place were discovered about 30,000 bushels of corn, which had been set fire and was still smouldering.  Among the trophies are pack saddles, army orders, muskets, revolvers, bowie knives, letters, &c.  Over 1,000 pack saddles were found, all new and marked C. S. A.

People in the vicinity state that prior to the evacuation there were 100,000 troops at Manassas and Centerville.  Covering the breastworks were what appeared to be cannon, but on examination they proved to be wooden affairs, got up for effect.

Two Pennsylvania cavalry regiments were the first Union troops entering Centerville at Brentsville, four miles from Manassas.

A home guard had been organized to protect themselves against the secessionists.

Gen. McClellan has taken up his quarters at Fairfax Court House.

A Dispatch has been received here contradicting the announcement that Winchester was occupied yesterday by our troops and stating that it is held by a rebel force.

It is believed here by the best informed critics on military affairs that the rebels there are simply a portion of the Virginia militia, left there to cover the retreat of the main body of the rebels.  It is not probably that nay considerable force would be maintained in that part of Virginia after the evacuation of Manassas, which commands the only railroad avenue thence to Richmond.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 13, 1862, p. 2

The Next Point of Attack

The rebels having been defeated at Forts Henry and Donelson, and abandoned their strongholds at Bowling Green and Columbus and fled from Clarksville and Nashville, the next question is, where will they make a stand?  It is reported that they have retreated to Fort Randolph and not as first rumored to Fort Pillow or Island No. 10, in the Mississippi river.  The Mo. Democrat says, “In the minds of our military men, the Columbus fortifications were the only formidable impediments to the easy descent of the Mississippi River.  No other point can be made so strong against the attacks of Com. Foote’s flotilla.  Island No. 10, Fort Pillow and Memphis will be completely at the mercy of our mortar boats and gun boats.”

Fort Randolph is eligibly located at the town of Randolph in Tipton county, Tenn., on a bluff bend of the Mississippi river, some thirty of forty miles above Memphis.  Above it is Fort Wright and below it is Fort Harris.

According to the Memphis Avalanche the troops at Fort Pillow and New Madrid were to concentrate at Memphis, making an army of about 50,000 strong.  Memphis is the city of Tennessee, and by far the most important point in it – that taken, and the rebellion will be effectually quelled in the State.  From all the information at hand we are inclined to the impression that that will be the next point of attack, and we are confident in the opinion that it must succumb, as from its location it would seem hardly possible to fortify it so strongly as was Fort Donelson.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 2

From Tennessee

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 10.

An intelligent gentleman from Memphis on Wednesday, reports that the citizens are greatly alarmed, and are relying on Ft. Pillow, near Ft. Randolph, for defense.  Very few troops are at Memphis.

The Legislature scattered after several ineffectual attempts to transact business.

Gov. Harris is greatly excited, and is flying about from one southern point to another, with little prospect of succeeding in his efforts to rally the people to his aid.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 11, 1862, p. 1

What the Memphis Papers Say of the Prospect – Savannah Not to be Surrendered

BEFORE CORINTH, May 16. – The Memphis Avalanche of the 18th contains the following:

FORT PILLOW, May 12. – We fought the enemy with four of our lightest boats on hour and a half.  We sunk one gunboat and two mortar boats.  Our loss was two killed and eight wounded and that of the enemy very heavy, as our sharpshooters latterly mowed them down.

We fought side by side with the enemy, and not one passed through our breastworks.  Our upper works are riddled, but we are ready to butt again.  We will be able to hold the river.

Speaking of the fall of Norfolk, the editor say[s], Worse than all, the Virginia, on which we so confidently relied, was burned at Craney Island on Saturday night.  Such is the tenor in the brief of the painful intelligence which flashed over the wires.

There were three cases of yellow fever at New Orleans at last accounts, two in the charity hospital and one in the French part of the city.

The Avalanche also says it has been formally decided that Savannah shall never be surrendered.

The Provost Marshal at Memphis has received instructions from the military authorities to require the banks at Memphis to take Confederate notes as currency and to arrest as disloyal all persons who refuse to receive them in ordinary business transactions.

The gunboats in the late attack on Commodore Foote were commanded by Montgomery assisted by Jeff Thompson.

At Memphis flour was quoted at $20@21, wheat @@2.25, bacon 30@32c for sides and hams, suger 6@7½c, molasses 25c, cotton and tobacco no sales, receipts or shipments, corn $1.40, oats $1.25.

The Avalanche says, “Not withstanding the Federal progress we feel an abiding confidence that Magruder will get to Richmond some time before McClellan.”

The Avalanche thinks that real estate is the best security, and urges money holders to make investments in realestate.  Arrangements have been effected by Generals Halleck and Beauregard to exchange the surgeons now prisoners.

One hundred and fourteen prisoners were sent in by Beauregard to-day under a flag of truce borne by Col. Pegram, of Western Virginia notoriety.

These prisoners have been confined at Columbus, Mississippi, some of them taken in Missouri last summer.

Before leaving Corinth one of their number was recognized by one of Price’s men as a member of the 25th Missouri, paroled at Lexington.  Beauregard ordered him to be heavily ironed.

Mortan and Adjutant General Noble arrived to-day.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4

Cairo News

CAIRO, May 16. – The steamer Gladiator arrived this afternoon from Pittsburg Landing. – Her officers report that when she left, there was a rumor at the landing that Beauregard had sent a flag of truce to gen. Halleck, asking for an armistice of ten days.  This was subsequently corroborated by deserters from the enemy’s lines.  The matter was said to have been under consultation when the Gladiator left.  It is proper to state that this report is not credited at headquarters here.

The following dispatch was received May 15.  There has been nothing of great importance received from the fleet within a day or two.

The Cincinnati has been got off the bottom of the river by the use of the steam pump, and after some work upon her bulkhead, will go up the river for repairs to-day.

The Memphis Appeal of the 11th contains a letter from a correspondent at Fort Pillow, who witnessed the battle of the 10th inst.  It disagrees with the report of Jeff Thompson sent yesterday, and fixes the loss of the rebels killed at eight and the wounded as high as sixteen.

Six deserters have just come aboard the Benton from Memphis.  They say that Memphis is being digged fine for recruit[s] and left to escape conscription.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 24, 1862, p. 4

Com. Foote At Ft. Pillow

Com. Foot is going on to Memphis. – He was yesterday before Ft. Pillow, and expected to reduce that place in good time.

– Published in The Gate City, Keokuk, Iowa, Thursday, April 17, 1862