, 1861-10-15

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune1
CAIRo, October II, 1861.
The Confederate steamer Grampus came up |
to day from Columbus, displaying flag OF
truce. She was met in the middle Of the river |
by the Aele1. Scott, with Gen. Grant on board.
The Grampns had On board two rebel officers,
who delivered to Gen. Grant the following
communication
HEADQUARTERS 1sT DIVISION,
WESTERN DEPARTMENT.
ttTo the Con.uand;nq Officer at Cairo and Birds
Pbint: ...-
II have il my camp number ofprl5oles OF
the Federal army, and am informed there are
prisoners belonging to the Missouri State
troops in yours. propose an exchange OF
theae prisoners, snd for that purpose send
Capt. Polk OF The Artillery, and Lieut.. Smith
of the Infantry, both Of the Confederate
States army, with flag Of truce, to deliver to
you this communication, and to Know your
pleasure in regard to my proposition.
"The principles recognized in the exchange
Of prisoners effected on the third Of septem-
ber, between Briga6ier Gsneral Pillow, Of the
Confederate army, and Col. Wallace Of the o.
g. army, are those propose IS the basis OF
that row contemplated.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
III. POLE,
tMaIor General Commanding"
To which communication, Gea. Grant for
warded the following reply: ...->
HEApQUARTERs DErARTAENT,
SoCTHEAsT MISSOURI.
C1Ro, October Il. 1861.
] *s General:
"You1s OF this date Is just received In
regard to an exchange Of prisoners, as PRO
posed, can Of my own accordance make none
recognize DO ssSoutheru Confederacy" my
self, but will communicate with higher au
| thorities for their views. Should not be sus
| tained, will find means Of communicating
~ithyou. Respectfully, your ob't serV'E
| "U. 8. GRANT,
| Brig. Gen. Commanding.
aTo Msj. Gen. Polk, Columbus, Ky."
The interview between Gen, Grant and th'
rebel officers WAS most courteous, hating To-
about an hour, during Which time the Scot
towed the Granpus to the vicinity OF Norfolk
The rebel officers, Polk snd Smith, are eacl
old 9. 8. Army officers, graduates Of Wes
Point. They were dibtinctly told bg den
Grant to come only to the Point next time
and to signal from that place. The rebels sal
they we're obliged for the visit Of our gur
beats, Monday morning, but th.t 70 damsE
was done by our shots. Marsh M'llar, c
Memphis, Fas acting Captain OF the Grau
pue, and Geo. Miller, Of St. Louis, Pilot.
l. 4 briEk fight took place at two o'clock thl
afternoon between 26 Centralta cavalry mel
Lieut. TUFTS commanding, and about Il
mounted rebels, At Underwood's, near Becl
rith's fsrm, and miles south Of Birds Poin
, The parties met in lane, and exchanged eigl
, rounds, the rebels being partly under COW
: Of trees, At the first rebel fire, H. 81. Fletche
q. Centralia, vas shot dead. The Central
| bo,s fought till their ammunition Vas gou
md then, in .ace Of overpowezing number
md an attempt to surround them, th
fell. back to Camp. Six Feders
:. | we're wounded, nsny making narrow escap
.. from death. Five had horses shot from u
:, der them and escaped into the cornfeld. Ma,
- horses we're wounded. The rebel Captain "
Killed, one Of our boys taking deliberate al
and bringing him. The rebels were arm
v,th short, breech.loading guns, evidently I
e SHOT. but Of the cavalry stamp. Lieut. Tu
t. .,ys his men fonght with "reckless hrAyef.
ID and only 1etreated when their aumun1ti
d. wss gone and they in danger Of being 8
1R rounded. Some marvellous escapes VI
~ made. The clothes Of many Of our boys be!
nd r,dd1ed with balls The eyebrows Of one Fe
ed ral were nicely clipped by bullet.
mt Captsins Noleuan and Stewards full co
cir p. MES are now out after Fletches's body.
1t. TheA1ex Scott, with detachment Of tro'
e .or under command Of Col Dunlap, Of the q
~ u went yesterday to the farm Of Shelby Thor
,ar SOL, above Pries's Landing, and brought
,ya 4oc0 bushels:ot corn, 70 mules, 65 sheep,
o&s beef cattle and tvorihee. On theirre4urn
Ehe boat Was fred into from the Missouri sh
md md but n8 damage waa done. The sxpsd'
o;e o.; picked up four prisoaers: =. :
'ea 'eaf : samuel Smith; Of Co z, a2d regiment,
~ a hand today BY the accidental dischszg'
tic 1he 1ast new. from P.daeaA lid that 2
qulet, md NO rebels near. =
er- f. AL quiet here. - -: :: ::''|'1'