From Island No. 10

CAIRO, March 29.

After a lull in the bombardment of Island No. 10 for a few days, it was renewed vigorously yesterday.  The rebels appear to have received and put in position new guns of longer range, and responded more freely to our fire.  On both sides there is preparations going on slowly but surely for a fierce and decisive conflict.

Nothing important from Tennessee.

Gen. Strong made a hasty trip to the Island No. 10 yesterday.  It being his first release from arduous duties since command here was assigned to him.

Thos. A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War arrived this morning and left at ten o’clock for Island No. 10.  It is surmised his mission is more directly to ascertain precisely what additional ordnance is needed by our forces there.  Ammunition arrived to-day.

From Memphis he represents a general feeling of despondency in that city and vicinity, and that but little confidence is felt even in the large force concentrated at Corinth, which as variously estimated at from thirty-five to one hundred and fifty thousand.

Some soldiers barracks were burned here this morning.  Loss $2,500.

The Ohio river is falling.  The Mississippi is rising.

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

From Washington

WASHINGTON, March 24.

Col. Segur representative from the Accomac district, arrived here this evening, confirming the intelligence about the destruction of the Privateer Nashville, and Fort Macon, by the rebels.

Times’ Correspondence

The commission on State prisoners will to-morrow take up the case of the celebrated Mrs. Greenough [sic], who will probably be transferred from a State prison to a lunatic asylum.

Gen. Montgomery has been transferred from his post as military governor of Alexandria and placed in a like command at Annapolis.

Painful rumors have been afloat for two days affecting a prominent officer in the civil department of the government.  We are promised the denouncement this week.

It is not true that the steamer Vanderbilt has been purchased by the Government to be altered to an iron-clad vessel.  She is merely charted for a short time as transport.

The commanding officer at Fort Craig writes to the Government that he has not a doubt of being able to hold that post.

Tribune Correspondence.

It is rumored that Green Clay will be transferred from the Secretaryship of Legation at St. Petersburg to that at Turin, the present incumbent, Mr. Fry, having resigned on account of ill health.

Dr. John Evans, of Chicago, has been nominated and confirmed as Governor of Colorado Territory, vice Gov. Gilpin.

Stephen S. Harding, of Ind., was, on Friday, nominated Governor of Utah, vice Gov. Dawson, rejected.

Small squads of rebel horsemen are scouring the country within five miles of Manassas, impressing all the able bodied men left, robbing the former for the hundredth time, and destroying what they can’t carry away.

The Saturday’s work of the ways and means committee on demands of delegations for modifications of the tax bill, was to put a 3 per cent ad valorem charge upon paper of every description; to adopt the schedules on leather substantially as they were presented to the committee by Mr. Alley, a tanner and a member of the House; to fix the rate on hoop skirts, umbrellas, and parasols, at 5 per cent ad valorem; on ready made clothing, at 3 per cent ad valorem; to leave salt as is in the bill; and after long discussion, to let the tax as first reported on tobacco and all its manufacturers stand unaltered.  The tax on billiard tables was reduced half to ten dollars a year; on rock oil, petroleum and coal oils, the only change was of phraseology, so that gas, tar, and the products from redistillation shall not be changed; for brokers the committee took off the tenth of one per cent on their stock sales, thinking that through their use of powers of attorney, transferred stamps and other assessable incidents of the business, they would get taxed enough.  Flour was not disposed, the desire to tax it of course duly exists of; the only difficulty in fixing the rate has been presented by the Canadian reciprocity treaty.  The belief has at least obtained in committee that flour can be taxed by branding the barrels and taxing the sales without violating the stipulations of that treaty; the charge on the gross receipts of horse railroads was reduced one half; it was decided not to tax coal at all; because it enters into the business and domestic life of nearly the whole nation.

During the discussions on the bill the work on the tariff progresses.  Reference is continually had to it, when an article is tax for internal revenue; at the same time an equivalent customs entry is placed on the tax list.  This principle will be adhered to throughout.

Herald’s Dispatch.

The party which left here on Tuesday ot look for the remains. Of Col. Slocum, Major Ballou, and Capt. tower of the 2d Rhode Island regiment, killed at Bull Run, returned this morning bringing their remains.  The party was composed of Gov. Sprague, Col. Arnold, Mr. Walter Coleman, his secretary Tristram Burges, Lieut. Col. Sayles and Capt. Dennison and Surgeon Greely, of the R. I. Cavalry, accompanied by two of the R. I. volunteers, who had been twin prisoners at Bull Run, and had noted the place where the officers were buried.  The party arrived Friday at Sudley’s Church.

Col. Slocum and Maj. Ballou were buried in the yard of a building near by, which was used as a hospital on the day of the battle.  This building had been destroyed by the rebels, but the graves were found.  After they had commenced to dig a negro girl inquired if they were digging for the body of Col. Slocum, and stated that about six weeks after the battle some soldiers of a Georgia regiment had dug it up, cut off the head, and buried the body at the side of the run close by, and taken the coffin away to bury a dead negro.  Her story was corroborated by a white boy and a white man who lived in the same neighborhood.  On repairing to the spot indicated, there was found a pile of ashes and bones, which were pronounced by the surgeon to be human. – Col. Slocum had been buried in a box, and Maj. Ballou in a coffin.  Upon opening the graves the box was recognized by Mr. Richardson, who was present at the interment, and the remains in it were identified as Col. Slocum.  Upon opening the other grave it was found to be empty, showing that the body dug up and burned by the Georgia barbarians was that of Maj. Ballou, only those two having been buried in that yard.

Gen. Hitchcock is here, aiding the war department by his advice.

Senator Lane, of Ind., has received advices from Savannah, Tenn., of the formation of a Union regiment in Alabama.

The Republican asserts that the President has remove Gen. Denver from the command of the department of Kansas.

The entire national debt is now four hundred millions of dollars.

The Senate to-day confirmed about 400 army appointment, principally of minor ranks.  Among them in the Adjutant General’s office department is R. J. Wagoner, of Ky.; Assistant Ad.t. Gen., with rank of Captain.  The only two Brigadier Generals of volunteers confirmed are Wm. K. Strong and Col. Mahon M. Monson [sic], of Ind.

Postmaster General Blair to-day issued the following notice to the Postmasters of the U. S.:

“The Secretary of War now regulates the transmission of information by telegraph affecting the conduct of the war.  In order to prevent the communication of such information to the rebels, it is also thought necessary by the secretary to put restrictions on the publication of facts of this character, however derived, and the aid of this department is requested for this purpose.

“You will therefore notify publishers not to publish any fact which has been excluded from the telegraph and that a disregard of this order will subject the paper to be excluded from the mails.

Signed,

M. BLAIR, P. M. Gen.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 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

From St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 17.

The despatches [sic] at headquarters reduce the number of the rebel garrison captured at Fort Donelson to ten thousand, and state that Gen. Pillow was not among the captured as at first reported.

A salute was fired from all the fortifications around the city, and at Benton barracks and the Arsenal, glorifying the victory.

Col. Thos. A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of war arrived to-day from Cairo, and remains here several days.

There was a holiday among the troops at Benton barracks.  Drills and parades were dispensed with.  Gen. Strong made a stirring speech to the soldiers.

Several of the Courts adjourned in honor of our victory, and all sorts of incidents of joy are repeated.

Troops are constantly going forward, bound southward.

The only additional item from Donelson is that the gunboats were present when the enemy raised the white flag.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 19, 1862, p. 1

From Cairo

CAIRO, May 6. – the steamer Ella, from Pittsburg Landing, with advices of the 5th has arrived.

Gen. Halleck has issued an order restraining civilians and all others from visiting the army.

The steamers going up the Tennessee during the past week have been crowded with civilians, going to gratify their curiosity by the sight of a battlefield. None of these 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 are correct.

The guerrilla Morgan, again, made an attack upon our pickets at Savannah on Saturday, but was driven back after a slight skirmish.

The steamer Brown reached here this morning from Fort Pillow, but brought nothing of interest.

The rebel fleet had not made its promised attack, but preparations were quietly making for an active bombardment of the rebel stronghold.

At the election held here to-day, for member of Congress from the 9th Congressional District, votes were cast as follows:

Judge Allen of Williamson county, 210; Haynie, 83; Marshall 29; Dougherty 22; Stone 1.

The nomination of M. V. Strong, for Assistant Adjutant General, on the staff of General Strong, now in command of this post, has been confirmed by the Senate.

The steamer Brown which arrived here this p.m., from above, brought intelligence that a party of Capt. Hafen’s company of Flying Artillery, while out on a scouting excursion near Paducah, last night, were captured by a company of rebel guerrillas.


CAIRO, May 7. – No intelligence from Pittsburgh Landing has been received within the last twenty four hours.

Arrivals from Commodore Foote’s flotilla report no change in the movements below.

A number of our cavalry from Fort Herman were attacked by a force of rebel cavalry while out on scouting duty and driven into Paducah.

Fugitives report that several of their comrades had been taken prisoners. But little credit is given to the report that two of them made their way to Columbus, and it is suppose that others have by this time returned to their camp.

All the fortifications on the Mississippi have recently been strengthened under the supervision of Lieut. Col. Duff, 2d Illinois artillery so that they command the river from below as well as above.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 3

Cairo Budget

CAIRO, April 30. – Heavy firing from the flotilla was distinctly heard at Tiptonville during Sunday and Monday, but no particulars have yet been received. The enemy’s foraging parties from Corinth are scouring the whole country along the line of the railroad. Gen. Halleck’s entire army has commenced advancing. Deserters contradict previous reports that the rebels were evacuating Corinth, but say that Beauregard has assured his troops that he will make a stand there and chastise our forces and drive them north. River has risen an inch in 24 hours. Loss of Government property would have been immense both here and at posts up and down the river, but for the energy and perseverance of Gen. W. K. Strong and Capt. Pennock, U. S. N., who have been indefatigable in their efforts to successfully to remove all stores out of the reach of the water. The Memphis Appeal and Avalanche of Saturday last have been received but give no news. The fall of Ne Orleans is referred to but no particulars given. Later arrivals from Pittsburg report that Gen. Pope’s division is within five miles of Corinth. His advance is continually skirmishing with the enemy. The whole army has advanced further into the interior and is fully equal to the approaching struggle. Col. Hogg of the 2d Illinois Cavalry, yesterday burnt the Rail Road bridge over the Obion River. CAIRO, April 30. – The packet delight arrived from Tiptonville this morning with a cargo of sugar, molasses and tobacco, reports an alarming stage of water below; hundreds of houses upon the river bank are submerged and washed away thousands of cattle, sheep, and hogs; many families are leaving in flatboats, and everywhere along the river there is great suffering in consequence of the unprecedented flood. The whole of Columbus is overflowed and the water running into the windows of houses. Hickman is also suffering greatly. The fortifications at Island 10 and those upon the main land opposite are as yet above the flood, excepting batteries known as the upper batteries on the Tennessee shore. Here there is an unbroken expanse of water from the Mississippi to Devil Lake. A large amount of cannon and heavy ordnance stores captured from the rebels on the main shore are still lying in the bayou which sets in from the Mississippi. These cannot be removed until the water subsides. An arrival from Tiptonville and New Madrid this morning reports a heavy and continuous cannonading herd throughout Monday night and Tuesday in the direction of Fort Pillow. – There has also been no boat up to-day or since the boat that left there on Monday noon. It is somewhat apprehended that the rebel fleet has been reinforced by the fugitive gunboats from New Orleans and an attack on our fleet has been made. Such an attack was not expected when the last boat left and Com. Foote was fully prepared to meet the enemy. No news to-day from the Tennessee. The Water in the Ohio rose another inch last night, and in the Mississippi half an inch. In several places it is now from six to ten inches above the top of the levee. The Mayor with large gangs of hands is raising the low places and throwing up additional embankments wherever needed. It is confidently believed that in this way the danger will be averted through a very slight storm of wind would inevitably inundate the city within the levee, and the surface water is accumulating rapidly and in many places is several feet deep. The principal streets away from the levee are navigated in skiffs and dugouts. Large trains of freight cars standing upon the levee are occupied as dwellings by families who have already been driven from their houses. The steamer Diligence which arrived this morning from Tiptonville, brought as passenger a refugee from Memphis, which place he left on Sunday. He came by way of the Memphis and Ohio Railroad to Humboldt; thence across the country to Ashport, and from thence up the river. He represents Humboldt as occupied by a small rebel force, who are engaged in throwing up defensive works. Humboldt is a small town, at the intersection of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, and the main trunk road running south from Columbus parallel with the Mississippi to New Orleans. The refugee brings Memphis papers, which however contain but little matter of interest further than the confirmation of the surrender of New Orleans. The Avalanche grumbles that the rebel government suppresses the details in regard to the affair, and says that nothing but the barren facts of the surrender are known. The same paper says that the Southern people are fast losing all confidence in their river defenses, and it is generally admitted that the Federal army can be no longer successfully resisted. It also insinuates a lack of confidence in the stability of the Southern Confederacy, by advising its patrons to invest whatever money they have in real estate while purchases can be made with the currency now in circulation, which is principally rebel treasury notes. The conscription law is being enforced, and Union citizens are secreting themselves or flying to avoid its operations. Memphis is represented by this refugee to be in the highest state of excitement, in anticipation the advent of the Yankees from either side at any moment. Merchants of strong and avowed secession proclivities are removing their goods to places of concealment and security, and large numbers of families are moving away. All the public stores have been put in readiness for immediate destruction at the slightest notice. The idea of burning the town is abandoned; the determined opposition of the property owners and municipal authorities being too great to be overcome. It is currently stated in Memphis that Beauregard has not to exceed 80,000 effective men at Corinth, and there is no hopes of his successfully resisting Gen. Halleck, who is believed to have an army at least 200,000 strong, admirable armed and disciplined, and composed of the best fighting stock in the North. A common expression is that Halleck is fooling with Beauregard, as a cat plays with a mouse preparatory to gobbling it up. The Southwest is admitted to be conquered, and the people are gradually preparing themselves to submit. The fall of New Orleans destroyed their last hope of success. When my informant left Memphis, it was reported that the rebel gunboat fleet from New Orleans were in sight and were bound up the river to join Hollis’s fleet at Fort Pillow. This has undoubtedly been accomplished, as I stated in my former dispatch and may account for the heavy cannonading heard in that direction on Monday and Tuesday. There has been no arrival from the Fort of from Pittsburgh. LATER – 7 P.M. – The steamer Glendale just in from Paducah, reports that a steamer had just arrived from Pittsburg Landing. The latter reports a serious skirmish between our advance party of the army, 5,000 strong, and a large body of rebels, five miles from Corinth – The Union forces were victorious. No mention is made of the losses on either side. The Federal Troops took 29 prisoners. Cannonading was still heard when the steamer left. The Glendale is chartered by the city of Cincinnati, and has on board twelve surgeons and an abundance of hospital stores and delicacies for sick and wounded soldiers. She is now coming look to after the comfort of disabled troops for the State of Ohio.

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

From Cairo

The steamer Belle of Memphis has arrived from the Tennessee river, bringing very important intelligence from Pittsburg. She left there at 5 o’clock Thursday morning, and upon reaching Savannah her passengers heard heavy firing in the direction of Pittsburg. The cannonading was brisk and gradually grew heavier, being heard for miles this side of Savannah.

The belief that a general engagement was brought on is strengthened by the fact that on Wednesday significant preparations were made by Halleck for an attack.

The rain that we had here since Monday did not reach Pittsburg, and the roads were fast improving. A hot sun was drying up the mud and on Wednesday the roads were quite favorable for an advance movement.

Persons who left on Thursday morning, report that a skirmish occurred the day before; that four companies of Michigan cavalry, having been ordered out on a reconnoissance towards the enemy’s lines, were scouring the country, when they met a superior mounted force of the enemy, whom they repulsed with little loss.

The Memphis on her way down the river was fired into 35 miles this side of Pittsburg by a small guerilla force posted behind three houses on the river bank. A number of shots were fired, one of them killing a negro boy who was standing near the pilot house. The woods along the Tennessee are infested by a guerilla band who practice firing on the steamers as they pass by. After firing on the Memphis they burned the houses before alluded to and decamped.

Gen. Strong, on receiving this information, advised Gen. Halleck of what had transpired, so that measures might be taken for putting a stop to further proceedings of this character.

The gunboats on the Tennessee had effected a passage over the Muscle Shoals, near Florence, and had penetrated as far as Huntsville, Ala., were they captured a quantity of commissary stores belonging to the rebels.


Times’ Dispatch.

The steamer Lady Tyler, formerly the Alfred Robb, Captured from the rebels, arrived from the upper Tennessee this morning and reports that the heavy firing proceeded from a short skirmish with the enemy yesterday morning. No further particulars.

The steamer McGill left Pittsburg at 5 o’clock yesterday morning, and had heard nothing of it. The steamer Emma, left the landing at four p. m. yesterday and says that up to that hour not a shot was fired.

Col. Steadman, of an Alabama regiment, at New Madrid, arrived here on his parole, to report himself at St. Louis. He expresses the utmost faith in the success of the rebellion.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 28, 1862, p. 1

Relief Meeting

At a meeting of citizens of Scott county, at the Le Claire Hall, April 26th, 1862, Hiram Price, Esq. in the chair, to take into consideration the expediency of establishing a hospital for sick and wounded soldiers at Davenport, a correspondence between the hospital committee of the Scott Co. Relief Association and the commandant at Cairo, Brig. Gen. Strong, and Dr. Wright, the Medical Director of the Western Department, at St. Louis, was laid before the meeting. The following are the letters:


HEADQUATERS U. S. FORCES,
CAIRO, Ill., April 20, 1862.

MESSRS. IRA M. GIFFORD AND CHARLES E. PUTNAM, Davenport, Iowa:

Gents – I am in receipt of your favor of the 17th containing the humane proposition of the citizens of [Davenport] in reference to hospitals in your place for sick and wounded soldiers. I have by this mail, enclosed your communication to Col. J. Kelton, Asst. Adjt. Gen., St. Louis, recommending early action thereon and prompt advice to you of the same.

Very resp’y your obt. Servt.,

W. K. STRONG, Brig. Gen. Comg.


HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Medical Director’s Office, St. Louis, April 20.

IRA M. GIFFORD AND CHAS. E. PUTNAM, Committee, &c.:

Gentlemen – I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 17th inst., and to state that the objection to your proposition to establish and organize a hospital at Davenport, is involved in the fact that your town is too remote from the theater of war. It is very important that wounded men should find a resting place at the earliest possible moment after the battle. If it were practicable, hospitals ought to be established in the immediate vicinity of the battle field; but, inasmuch as this cannot be done in many instances, it is deemed most proper to select such places as are accessible by water and nearest to the scene of action. If, unfortunately, our brave men shall continue to be disabled before the enemy in such numbers as to make it necessary to establish hospitals on the river above, the patriotic offer of the Scott Co. Relief Society will not be forgotten or disregarded.

Very respy. Your obt. Servt.,

J. J. B. WRIGHT,
Surgeon U. S. A., Medical Director, &c.


On motion, the committee was continued and requested to report at a subsequent meeting.

On Motion of Mr. Collins, as amended by Mr. French it was

Resolved, By the citizens of Scott county, in public meeting assembled, that the Governor of this state be and is hereby requested to procure steamboat accommodation to convey the wounded and sick soldiers from the battle field when and as often as it shall be necessary to do so, to such place ore places has have been or shall be provided for their reception.

A long debate occurred on this resolution in which Messrs. Collins, Putnam, Challen, Davis, Brockett and others took part. Afterwards the meeting adjourned until 7 1-2 o’clock in the evening.


In the evening meeting reassembled, a much larger number being present than in the afternoon.

Mr. Davies moved that six persons be added to the committee appointed by the executive committee on the subject of a hospital, and that said committee memorialize Gen. Strong and others in authority for power to establish a government hospital in this place. Agreed to. Messrs. H. N. Powers, Jas. Challen, John W. Thompson, J. Saunders, Elisha Mack, and James T. Lane, were named by the chairman as such additional persons.

After a prolonged debate on the subject of a hospital, in which Messrs. Collins, Putnam & Challen and others participated, the meeting adjourned, subject to the call of the President.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 28, 1862, p. 1

From Cairo

CAIRO, April 24.

Previous to the commencement of the war the daily receipt of letters at Cairo post office did not exceed 2,000. Now the number received averages about 75,000 per day. This enormous increase in business constitutes this office the third in the Union though the Department has not yet recognized its position by a relative increase of the clerical force of the office. In order to dispose of this vast amount of business the post master has requested that all post masters sending letters for soldiers put them in a separate package, endorsed “Soldier’s letters, Cairo D. P. O.” which will ensure a more speedy distribution and delivery. Unless this request is complied with letters are liable to a detention of one day.


Special to the Chicago Tribune.

The rise in the Tennessee river has reached us. Last night the Ohio increased in volume one inch, and it is still rising. Dispatches received from the Cumberland represent that the river is rapidly rising. From Pittsburg we learn that the Ohio rose 14 feet on Tuesday, and from different points along the river the flood is equally potent. The immense country to the rear of us between Cairo and Mound City is inundated so that the large volume of water in the upper river effects us slightly.

There are said to be 8,000 rebel troops in the rear of Chickasaw Bluffs and at Randolph.

Gen. Bragg has transferred the command of Fort Pillow to Gen. Price.

From Pittsburg I have the intelligence of a skirmish with the enemy, in which Gen. Granger, with 500 cavalry, a portion of the recent reinforcements sent up the Tennessee participated. About two miles from our pickets they came in contact with the rebel pickets, and drove them in and encountered a strong force of rebel Cavalry, which they engaged. After fighting briskly for an hour both sides retired with inconsiderable loss. This happed on Wednesday.

There has been no attempt to move the main body of the army. The embargo laid upon our movements by the rain and mud still continues. When the advance will take place is a matter of conjecture.

Gen. Grant and his conduct during the terrible days of peril, is still the subject of criticism, and I am told that charges are being daily prepared against him for incompetency and recklessness. Gen. Halleck pays no attention to the charges, but leaves the investigation of the whole affair to Congress.

A gentleman from Northern Tennessee, whose Unionism is unquestioned, says that the whole community below him is full of wounded soldiers and fugitives from the battle of Pittsburg.

The returned rebels say that after the arrival of Buell’s troops on Sunday, and the attack on Monday, Beauregard made a spirited appeal to his men, acknowledging the arrival of the Federal reinforcements, but said the armies of Price and Van Dorn were on the way and would arrive before nightfall. Subsequently he brought from the rear a portion of his own force, representing them as the expected arrivals. After the final route the enemy became very much demoralized, and ran the fifteen miles intervening between the battle-field and Corinth in three hours. The panic and flight of our soldiers at Bull Run was nothing compared with it. On arriving at Corinth they found the town deserted, and left immediately for Tennessee without [illegible: let] or hindrance.

There is a bitter feeling between the Mississippi and Tennessee remaining regiments, in consequence of the former dubbing the Tennesseeans cowards, and not recognizing their social equality. He says the latter will not fight in the coming battle

The Federals have nearly surrounded them, and they consider their case nearly settled as soon as the capture of Fort Pillow and Memphis shall be accomplished.

The Mississippi flood is seriously endangering the products and property below, and Gen. Strong, with an energy highly commendable and which might be properly imitated in other quarters has sent several steamers to secure it.

A try-weekly packet is now running between Cairo and Tiptonville, carrying the mails and passengers. This experiment, in reviving commercial intercourse with the rebel States, is likely to prove successful.

The entire track of the Cairo and Fulton RR., between Birds Point and Charleston is washed away and destroyed. Superintendent Arthur, of the I. C. RR., and President Osborne, passed over the track in a hand cart from Cacha river, this morning. They say the track is covered with water to a depth of two feet. There is no immediate prospect of the resumption of railroad communication with the rest of the world.

The steamer Bee, from Fort Pillow at 4 o’clock yesterday, reports no change in the condition of affairs. The mortars fired regularly every half hour. The gunboats are quite. The rebel batteries do not reply.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 26, 1862, p. 2

From Cairo

Times’ Special.

CAIRO, April 21

The Ohio and Mississippi rivers at this point are still gradually rising. Should a heavy wind arise the levee would be broken, and the town be flooded, in which event the citizens and government could scarcely escape a great loss of life and property. Fears were generally prevalent last evening that the levee could not long withstand the flood, and there was a general stampede to Mound City and other places of refuge. Yet the night passed and without the recurrence of the calamity of 1857.

The waters were slowly ebbing over some portions of the levee Sunday evening, when Gen. Strong, who is ever efficient amid a multiplied diversity of army cares, ordered out a force of men, who raised the levee and prevented the disaster so imminent.

The hospital steamer City of Memphis reached here this morning from New Madrid. She had on board 515 sick soldiers from the army of Gen. Pope. Among them were a number who have been discharged from the service on account of incurable maladies and physical inability. The hospital steamer has left for Evansville, Ind., where the patients are to be removed to more comfortable quarters in the hospital at that place.

Capt. Polk, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Pittsburgh, is among the sick, being wounded in both legs. He is the nephew of President Polk, and served in the battle as captain of a rebel battery from Memphis.

A large number of soldiers have passed this place on transports from St. Louis during the last two days, and are now on their way to reinforce Gen. Halleck.

The unprecedented rise of water in the Ohio, besides interfering with railroad operations at this place, has also carried away the telegraph poles, cutting us off from telegraphic communication with the North and East.

On Saturday last the Adam’s Express from this place was used to the exclusion of all other business, and in transmitting money packages from soldiers to their families. – Over $170,000 were sent away.

The postoffice [sic] at this place has been undergoing a thorough examination, under the supervision of Asst. P. M. Armstrong, of Chicago. When he came here he found upwards of 70,000 letters awaiting transmission. These have been hurried forward and no accumulation of letters is now permitted. An additional clerical force has been supplied, and the office si now fully equal to the enormous business required of it. All the letters from the army in Tennessee pass through here. An idea of the great number of letters mailed at the Caro office may be obtained from the fact, that one mail from our army brought from 75,000 to 100,000 letters.

There are no items from New Madrid or guerilla, Jeff. Thompson.

Major Steward, of Gen. McClernand’s staff, heretofore reported killed, proves only to have been wounded and is now at Savannah, where he is doing well.

News from the flotilla off Ft. Pillow unimportant. Affairs there remain in statu quo as previously telegraphed. The mortar boats throw occasional shots, and the rebels respond at irregular intervals. It seems to be no part of the programme to fully invest the stronghold until the battle at Corinth has transpired.

It is reported that the rebels are fortifying Ft. Randolph in the strongest manner, and that a large force of negroes is engaged in throwing up entrenchments. This is hardly probably, from the fact the Randolph was originally the strongest fortified place between Columbus and Memphis.

The Steamer Mussleman arrived to-day from Pittsburg landing, having left that place Saturday evening. She brings no news of special importance, but a passenger reports that the Tennessee has again commenced rising [rapidly], and that the roads in the vicinity of Pittsburg are in wretched condition, by reason of the late fall of rain.

Forage can only be distributed by being hung on the backs of mules, and the army wagons are stuck fast in the mud.

In view of the present condition of the roads around Pittsburg, it is fair to infer that the great battle which has been momentarily expected the last week, will not transpire in at least a week to come.

Our army at Pittsburg is in excellent fighting condition. The regiments that were so frightfully decimated at the lat contest are being reorganized, and, thanks to the activity of Gen. Halleck, every division, brigade, regiment and company is prepared to meet the enemy with an unbroken front.

Our scouts penetrate directly to the enemy’s lines and bring back intelligence. – Beauregard, who is chief in command, is actively engaged in throwing up entrenchments along his whole line, planting batteries and preparing for a systematic defence. Their intelligence may be deemed reliable, inasmuch as the statements of scouts are corroborated by those of deserters.

It is thought that the rebels will act merely on the defensive, and that the aggressive attack will be made by Halleck and that too at an early day as possible. It is known Beauregard has been greatly reinforced, and that forced levies of troops are continually swelling his ranks.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1862, p. 2

From Cairo

Special to Evening Journal.

The water has come to a stand, and fears for the present safety of the levee are allayed. Great consternation has prevailed until this morning. It has rained big guns for a week. To-day it is balmy and fair as May.

Gen. Strong detailed thirty box cars and an engine for the use of the poor, and all the vessels in port for relief and protection of the levee and property of soldiers and citizens, on Sunday.

An unusual amount of drunkenness and fighting has disgraced the city for a few days past. Yesterday provost marshal Merrill hauled up 16 of those detected in open violation of orders, and has dealt with them as deserters. He will do his duty as an officer.

A bold attempt at kidnapping a negro who claimed to be a free man, was made here yesterday. Four men captured him at the brewery, hauled him waist deep through water to a warfboat, where a woman was in waiting to claim him. The men said they had authority from the Provost Marshal for the arrest, which was false. When this was made known to the Marshal he went in search, but learned the negro had been released. No such work will be done by Capt. M. except under strict conformity with his official duties.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 23, 1863, p. 1

From Cairo

Special to the Chicago Times.

CAIRO, April 15.

No news of importance has reached us today from any quarter.

I am informed by a gentleman just from Pittsburg, that Gen. Halleck is actively engaged in organizing and equipping his army for such movements as may be deemed necessary to break up and scatter the opposing army. Now that Gen. Halleck has command in person, we feel easy, knowing that a master mind will direct the movements of our troops.

The steamer Blackhawk, with Gov. Yates and suite, and about 200 wounded, has just arrived from Pittsburg. She will proceed at once to Quincy with the wounded.

A large number of the wounded remained at Savannah. When my informant left, every house was full.

My informant, who accompanied Gov. Yates to Pittsburg , says that we only recaptured a portion of the guns taken by the enemy on Sunday, and that we only captured one of the enemy’s guns. Our loss in tents, baggage, mules, wagons, etc., is very great. Many of our officers and soldiers lost their clothing, except what they had on their backs. I have received nothing from our correspondents above or below.

Gen. Strong has just received the following dispatch, dated at Pittsburg:


Sick and wounded all off. Stop all sanitary commissions, nurses and citizens. We don’t want any more.

(Signed) H. W. HALLECK, Major General


Gen. Strong has telegraphed to Paducah that the hospitals at Mound City and St. Louis are full, and to have the hospital boats turned up to Louisville and Cincinnati.

An attempt has been made to poison some of our troops at Columbus. Four of these have died. Gen. Strong has ordered a portion of the meal which contains the poison to be sent to Chicago to be analyzed, and the party of the guilty of the outrage be arrested.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 17, 1862, p. 1