The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-08
OUR cAI1,e CORRESPONDENCE.

OUR CAIlte CORRESPONDENCE.
CAIRO, ILL.,. Oct i. 1861
I've Fremont conrsscotions-1heir Effect The Public
Mnd-Resahe IF Eremcnrs Observation-Disclosures 10
he Gun6oet Lexington General Taoapsos's Rebel Force
Reported to ee Pemoralised Condition II e arms serred
10 he Unson forces, DC. dc.
The principal topic of conversation row .a.duys not
only in military circles but with all casses-not only in
CAIRO but a.. over this vcinyts hecomplicntions into
which Genera Fremont has been thrust has thrust
himself snd though the wish all prevalent that he viii
show himself equal to the emergency Of the times, there
are few who have their fears Of his undergraduates to
the service required of him. How vastly changed the
general feeling in regard to him in thelas few weeks
Scarcely two months since he hailed here with ono
universal acclaim Of satisfaction the leader OF
be-victorous army; now there few who speak MS
praises And much as this state OF facts is to DO
GREETED, justice requires that the truth should
be told. Perhaps who familiar with the campaign
at Cairo arc in condition to Judge harshy than
others but If other localities have tho of
complaint as we, If we have not been singled out as
especially to be imposed uponIl call it by la. shcr
namc-then tho list Of his friends be easily
called Look at our condition Here within radius of
twenty miles Of Cairo have only force Of some ten
or twelve regiments, and they scattered over half dozen
loca!itics-Fort Holt, Fort jefferson, Norfolk Birds
Point and Cairo-a squad OF in each, willie only
Polk and Thompson with army fran thi ty forty
Thousand men, threatening daily Our generals
have begged and pleaded FOR troops st. Louis
swarming with them, and Springfield has an immense
supply, but none BIO obtained, and il would not be
surprising Cairo should fall into the hands the rebels
as did Lexington, and for tho cause. And the
miserable quality Of the arms too in tho hands of
troops is the OF great complaint These arms or
very great portion OF them said be those much
Wanted ones which procured by Gen. Fremont in
Europe-twenty thousand Belgian muskets. Col John A.
Logans men arc armed with them, others of the
more recently organized rcgiments and give you IN
idea OF their value 1t is only necessary say not
n ouras has been demonstrated here within the last
few days-will snap cap without four Gve trials
was at tho armorcrs only dayor two since, and
trial OF several First common cap, such Is used
upon all government musLets placed upon the nip
pie, and the hammer brought dagn usual four iye
times, without producing any effect while the came can
after such repeated tras, placed upon The nipple q
an Old Springfield muske and nrcd at the first stroke Of
the hammer Then very large portion Of them prove
TO be breech burnt to such extent that The ball.
which fits very tightly ut the nuzzlc is so loose when
rammed home that it VIII rattle in its place and allows
the grains OF powder TO run out around its sides
the powder from one Of them (apd that only
fair sample Of the o) entirely exudcd from the barrel
leaving the ball still in its paaoe. Some Of the
regiments declare they will never 20 into an en-
gagemcnt with such inns; aud - would DO
than wiiful murder to send them. Ecu will remember
that tho trouble with the Northwestern RiHesn at st.
Louis owing to the fact that attempt made to
thrust these inferior upon thcm after they were
promised better, and certainly knoa that there will be
muny here if better arms not provided. This is
idle guess work, but is the talk of the
camp
The evers ofthe week have been OF inconsidcrabe i'm
rortancea skirmish two, in which two OF our men
wounded and few Of the enemy stguesscd' 10 be
killed; but the whole country back Of Birds Point is
swarmrg with rebels and crisis must cvcnuate soon
II is thought however, that any general engagement
will take place soun unless tho rebels snake an attack
upon PGducah; but can find we'll informed rien who
think that such an event viii occur, at least for several
days
An accident has occurred Of the Canboats which
will deprive the government CT her services for few
days. refer 10 the disabling tie Lexington She lost
her rpdder and got stove badly night before upon
sHag Norfolk, but her repairs rapidly going
and few days will find hen fitted again for service
young man who has been with JEFF. homPnonis army
for weeks deserted Sunday night ard came ino
camp yesterday. lilo reports that Ihompsons entire
force greatly demon azcd without clothing and dosti
tue Of n commssariat AT all tdeqratc such force.
lie also that Thcmpsons forcc numbers only about
two Thousand in Southeastern Missouri but heard
stories in camp, late Sunday fast that Pillows army
numbered least thirty thousand Columbus. Ills
statements confirm what have written you in foru3ar
letters concerning nrressment, wanl OF pay destuton
| &c.
Senator Lane, Of Indiana is amcng the last arrivals IN
Cairo but do not learn what his business s To-day he
has been cosoted with brigades ad many surmise
| that something Is up Of vast importance.
The troops stationed at Norfolk haze. to-day been
brought back to Birds Point, and oaseoks the
former place abaEfoGed, bat for what reaou-uness IL
he fear Of an attack upon the later 90 Lot conjecture
But The movement, think, Is wise one, and 1t would
scers 10 be wisdom If oil tho small outposis mnc-
diatey broken up and our forces concentrated until sum-
cen force could he sent TO hold point against all contin
gancies Springfield and Lexington are examples we do
not wish 10 sec repeated