, 1861-09-06

Active Operations About to Begin.
uxvs FROM FIILew,s CAMP.

fCorrespondenoe Of the Chicago Trtbune.l
r.. CArap; Sept. 4*h, 1851.
Active operations on g miniature scale have
commenced from this point. The gun boats
which left for below yesterday, together with
the q. 8. steamer Graham, with troops, eVi'
IDENTIFY mean business. The Graham returned
yesterday for additional forces, among Whicn
noticed considerable force Of artillery
The object undoubtedly is to foEtity some
point about twenty miles below here, where,
With force Of two or three thouuand men,
the movements Of the willy Pillow can be
more closely watched, and additional security
given to this point.
An escaped prisoner who was captured some
three weeks ago, together With some five OF
six others, on the steamer Equality, gives me
the following particulars regarding the condi.
ton Of things at New Madrid: Pillow is
still at that point with four
thousand men. The balance Of his
command has been distributed at different
points in Missouri He has two thousand men
at SykestoWn, others with jeff Thompson,
Watkins, dc. He has fortified his position at
Madrid, to an extent which he thinks secure.
My informant was immediately taken to this
place where he has since remained prisoner,
in, close confinement, and only by accident
succeeded in makirg his escape at this time.
He says he Was closely questioned bg Pillow
in regard to the forces here, and as to what
would be their probable movements. The
answer in relation to the number Of troops
here vas anything but satisfactory, while as to
tht other questions the prisoner was not suflci-
entity acquainted to give any satisfactory insor-
nation. On several occasions the rebel Geu-
eral inquired OF bis eaptives if they would
take musket and enter the ranks under his
command. The one now here answered fatty
That he would not; which vas the reason Of
bus unusually close confinement.
Inc others gave no direct answer, and
Plllow taking it for granted that they would
aceede to his wishes, sent them to Memphis
to be drafted into the service The bot was
also sent to Memphis. Provisions, he re-
Fo,ts, were very high, coffee being 81 per lb,
WHISKY, Though not allowed to be used
ard other articles in proportion. The day b e.
tore he made his escape, he says four prison
ers from our force at Bird's Point ware brought
in by the rebel scouts. A large number, in
TACT nearly all the citizens in that vicinity, have
been pressed into the service, many protest
!ng st1enueuaIy against the proceedings. Pill
Ial6 part with his troops, and is more feared
tban respected. Ishould not at all be surprised
to bear at no distant day Of a collision be-
tween Pillow and our troops, who have ap-
PREACHED to within no great distance of his
EieseEt poEition. He is just the Individual
tie boys would like to encounter, and you can
rely on their doing things up in fine style.
Troops continue to arrive By every train, and
they are now drawing rather extensively on
Calro's accommodations. Oae thing which is
lacking to great extent is blankets, many be-
ing WithoD: them; cannot thsse be furnished
Immediately May the attention Of the pro
per person or pereons be called to this? Gene
rally speaking, the condition Of things here is
the most encouraging. LC.