New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-18
FROM THE WESTERN ARMY.
Reeonnoissnnee Down she Mississippi River
Capture Of n Union Flaa-Feceral
Troops Fired Upon from Ambush-N No.
bo6u Hurt.
Ttoro Onr Special CorrespondenL

yroI0 Our special Correspondent
CAMP DEFIANCE, CAIRO, ILL.,, June IL, 1861.
At 10 O'Clock yesterday morning the accommodating
party predicted in my last embarked upon the steamer
City of Alton. 1t consisted of Company f, Capt. Den
nison aud Company F, Capt. Hanna, of the 9Th Regi
rnent These companies are remarkably fine specimens
of the Illinois troops and in excellent drill They
solid. compact, well-kn men, with fuller faces and
broader chests than we usually east Of the Ale
pbanies Their fine, intelligent countensnces were
now radiant st the prospect Of having something to do
They were ignorant Of their destination but there
evidently work on hand and deep the regrets Of
the companies left behind that they too could not par
tcipate in it. One young private in Company owns
property to the amount Of $4,000.
A 6-pounder and 12pound bowitzer were taken
along for emergencies under the direction Of COL j.
D. Morgan of the 7th while Col X. j. Oglesby Ccol-
loquially known Throughout Illinois ss Dick Ogles-
by for these sons of the prairie believe in pure de-
Inocracyl was at the head Of the expedition. Col.
Oglesby, who commands the Sth Is member Of the
State Senate, and lawyer of eminenee, who is said TO
exercise nearly much tenderness toward refractory
witnesses as Gen. Ben. Batter. He is a heavy well
built deep-chested man, with full, shaver face, and
ewes and mouth which Indicate fruness and sef-
reliance. His bearngis soldierlyi you would recog-
pze him. anywhere in civilians dress familiar
with the tented field. He was Captain in the Mexi
can war. Col. Morgan, who haik from Quincy, has
also seen service. he was at the head Of company
of mounted rifemen during the Nauvoo Mormon troub-
les went TO Mexico as Captain of q company in Col.
Hardins Regiment, and sfterward commanded an odd
battalion" think it would be safe 10 pronounce
him the most modest Colonel Of the Union army
Quiet undemonstrative always al his post be sevey
inch q soldier, and his regiment admirably drilled
His rather slight frame ia compact, sinewy and hard
fbered, and his features clear, shsrplycut and en-
phatic. He walks only with cane-the result OF a re-
Gently broken leg which has not found time TO heal
dor seems likely to while the war continues.
The " City of Alton" ordinarily packet between
ST. Louis and Alton, but in the employ Of Gov.
eminent is one Of the fastest and elegant boats
on the Mississippi. Flags flying at her bow,
she dropped slowly around and began 10 descend the
stream while the hoase respiraions Of her hot lungs
the sharp cank Of her engines and the heavy Pashng
OF Der Wheels were half drowned by the notes Of the
spirit-string drum and the ear-piereing fife. Soon
after starting, Col Oglesby addressed the soldiers in
few plain, business-lke words;
You have not been selected for this service because
deem you any better soldiers than the other.eight
companies of my regiment, but because you are just
good. We have 10 believe that there Rebel
troops posted upon some Of these Islands and shores
They may attack us, may be necessary for ne to
attack them, before we return. Can rely upon you
(Cheers, and cries OF "Aye," "Aye."I II we are
attacked, either by infantry artillery will every
man Of you stand firm, until the word Of command and
obey IL promptly whom giveni l"Aye," FAYE"
In case we make charge shall lead, or will you'll
l"Lead u.s." "we'n follow you TO the last."l That
Is all; If any emergency arises want you all TO do
Your duty like brave men, in glorious cause. I'VE
will, 1--WE viii, accompanied by three cheers and
tiger.
The noticeable feature ofhess responses was spon.
taneousness, the eagerness with which they were
given. never saw body of men who seemed in
sred by such enthusiastic, "irrepressible" determine
ton, without the least brayado. Az cne a. our army
i composed Of such material al these Illinois bows We
can afford to smile at the rawlings Of the Secession
press about Northern mercenariee." To overcome
them spprehend will require something more, even
than the policy now advocated by all the rebel organs
OF the Southwest 10 force into close engagements
and to fgM almost exelusireiy Nth he 6ayonet. The
strength Of this policy 10 apparent except 20 far a.
The belief Of the Secessonss true that they are bet.
Yer provided with sde-arns than our own forces The
Isc, that one regiment Of intelligent welldred men,
sau Of ith In themselves and each other worth three
~i'ur VINO lack those characteristics, especially in the