New-York daily tribune., 1861-05-13
FROM CAIRO.
IN posITION Or KENrTCKY.


Az rSTyRylfw BETWEEN THE COMMANDER Of fBE
EgyTUcKY FORCES AND COLONEL PRENTIsS.-rHE
TROOPS Al cAIRO PREPARED TO fEPEL An ATTACK
Tie CAieago TyiJpie has the following account Of
All important interview between Colonel Tlghman,
commander Of the Kentucky forces and Colonel Prem
tiss commander Of the Federal troops, encamped AZ
Cairo, Illinois. The mission Of Colonel Tilghman
seems 10 have been peaceful one intended to eulti
yate friendly relations with tho Federal commander.
Colonel Prentiss, however, distinctly apprised his
visitor that he expected an attack from The Tennessee
rebels and was ready ior il:
HEADQUARrEus, CAMP DTFANCE,(
CNRo, ILL.,, May 8, 1861. !
" Col. Lloyd Hlghman, commanding the Western
Division of Kentucky Militia, including raducah and
Columbus, plsces that have been considered menac
ing our troops here, called in company with Col. Wick
life Of Kentncky, upon Col Prentiss, commaudant at
tits place. Tie following is tee substance OF their liz
tryiew. II ia important:
Z" Col. riIghman--'I have visited y0u Sir for the
purpose Of a little oheal ntorcoune with reference TO
the late questions which have excited the peorlo OF
Kentucky, aud TO cultivate, as far rs In nypOwer,
peaceful relations Some portions Of the public press
have errcneously used tie nsme Of Kentucky, the
name OF her organized militia under nv command, and
my own name, IN referring 10 the hostile movement of
troops against you from Tennessee. Col. 1ilghman
referred 10 an article in THE IouiSUiHc Journal,
which stated that hostile movements from Tennessee
could 90 through Kentucky only by the aid Of troops
under Col. llighmunz command. lie characterized
the statement in severe terms, and aid thar Kentucky
still in The Union, and had stronger wish tlan
to remain 20.
Colonel frentis3-'I can hardly express, gentle
men, how crafty ing II IL 10 me 10 Ind les6 the senti
mens Of al the lenoing men have met from yonr sde
Of the river. assure you that, tar ss understand
the sentiments Of my State, my command aud myself,
those friendly feelings cordially reciprocaod. We
must however, when underetand that certain points
in either Kentucky, Tennessee, or Missouri afe me-
naeing us, prepare 10 defend them
TENNEssEF REBELS nsHD Of CONTROL.
" Colonel 1ilghman-'Le me FAY, IN doieIeneo 10
Tennessee that far her authorities and Official
acts concerned, she was, three dny- ago. in the
Union. have lust come from there, where IN an o'-
cill capacity defined to them firmly and eectualy
the policy Of my State. She has mercurii popula-
tion like every State that is bard 10 control. Bat |
feel fully authorized to sy in Difference 10 Governor
Harris, with whom j had an interview and in defer
ense TO the State Of Tennessee, that there are no
hostile mcnaoes toward yOu.'
COLONEL PRESTIss PuEPU,ED FoI ~ ATTACR.
Colonel Prentiss-'I | want you 10 understand
that in designating certain points hostile and
ing, am far from including the whole State. As to
Memphis, am reliably iuiormed that bodies arm
ing and drilling with proposed destination to some
place North; aud will say 10 you frankly that We
prepared for the attack and await it,. BIT Am in
clned 10 think they are the nlob without Official