New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-29

An Exchange Of Prisoners, and Visit to
tho Rebels 1t Coiumbns-Sonie Whisky
Icft-Appcarancc Of the Rebel Troops
Lou,syiile 70 be Taken in Ten Days.
From Our Own Correspondent.

Ieft-Appcarance OIL tnc HSeoeA AF"SP7-
Louisville 70 be Taken in Ten Days.
From Our Own Correspondent.
CAIRO, Oct. "a, 1861.
In order to give reply to flag Of truce sent up
about week ago by the Rebels, from Columbus ~
miles below, our little iugboat. Sampson, went down
to-day with party of officers and a few civilians
When we were within three miles Of Columbus they
fired gun to bring us to; but we kept on, when
another gun was fred, and we only stopped till we
arrived opposite the town. Here they would have
fired again, and with shot; but onr boat is 30 small
being only about 50 tuDs that they were not certain
OF hitting us, and were likely to fire into one Of their
camps across The river One of their boats then came
out, and we were requested 10 20 up the r1ver to
land. Col. Beaufort thereupOn requests conference
with the officer commanding when person comes
forward and calling himself Gen. Pillow, requests
land up the river, that is, at the point where
they first fred. Col. Beaufort coOlly replies that
bis orders are that he shall land at the town Of Co
lumbus and at last and after some more parley ing,
LANDING was made, and Col. Beaufort was intro
duced TO the General Commanding Bishop Leonidas
Polk. The greeting between the two was quite
cordial, and certainly should have been 30 under
classmates. Thereupon the SOLDIERS and spectators
on shore, numbering five or six thousand columbus
itself has but few hundred nbabitants), gave Il
great shout, and the armament see med broken up
it'll the noise and confusion.
An exchange Of prisoners then took place, we CIV
ing up three and they giving up sixteen. Amer this,
some of our party went into the town, some OF whom
exchanged friendly glasses of brandy and CHAM
pagne and it appeared to those competent Judge,
that their liquors are very good. Whether it was
accident or bot cannot decide but there great
display Of ice and divers Injuries Of which they have
been reported part ally destitute and that they have
an abundance of everything.
One Of our party, seeing boy selling Memphis
newspapers, cried out, " Here, boy, give me pa
peri" but Immediately hundred voices rose, crying,
f" Don't let him have it," bat the charms Of quar-
ter Of dollar, notwithstanding lis eagle and stars,
were too much, and copy of The appeal of the
I'D inst. was brought away. It contains many lies
and 10 news
civilian Of our party, in company with gentle
man of the place. got quite mellow, and Of course
friendly, and says 70 the other, while Pillow was
standing by, Tell me how many men have you got
these few thousands here cannot be sll "Oh, no"
was the reply, this is only fatigue party" II so
happened shortly after that an officer came to Pillow
and requested some soldiers work the fortihca-
tions" "Well," says Pillow, 50 take men out Of the
CAMP" "But there are none there, says the off,
GER; "they've all come down to the river snd there
amt man on the hill" Pillow shoves out his foot
upon the officers 10 give him the hint, but it was toe
late.
The soldiers, as men, looked well, but they wore
great variety Of uniforms, and had quite a shabby
appearance. The rank Of the officers seems 10 be
indicated in quite singular manner-ths Is, BY star
ON collar Of peculiar construction passing around
the neck. The lowest officer has one star, the nexl
higbes, in grade two stars, perhaps more, till an
officer Of high rank will have quite sroond hi'
neck, and the grand leader Of all has TWO rows, and
beside this they have their coat sleeves, a,
well ms stripes of red flannel which sometimes get
greasy.
They had the news there that fight was going on
in Washington this morning, and that she i'd
Aboltionsts which is their phrase, were being ire
mendously wbaled, and also they had the news that
JEFF. Thompson had met our men at Pilot Knob, Mo-,
defeated them with great slaughter took 200 prison
ers and that the remnant Of our forces retreat
ing with loss at every step, upon Cape Girardeau.
We have news of JEFF. here also, but 1t happens TO
be the reverse.
We have curious men here in the West. One OF
the principal citizens of Columbus sent up word to
one of the principal men in Cairo that when this
business s settled" he was coming up TO give lis old
friend one Of the biggest thrashings he ever had.
Another one wanted TO get chance at another Cairo
citizen with his revolver, And yet should these
parties meet to- morrow, think they would do 50 az
friendly as ever.
An old steamboat Captain of our party met another
gentleman of the same class aud was told in conf
dence that the whole of their effective force does not
exceed 1000 men, and that brigade was going TO
start to join Hardse tomorrow, who was going to
join Buckner, and they intended to take Louisville
within ten days. While they are doing this, it
would naturally be proper for US to step down and
take Columbus, and should not wonder five should
do so. We can do il.
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