The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-21
OUR CAIRO CORRESPONDENCE.

Ayrical " a Flag Of Truce from CoiuptsGredt Ercis
men in Coiro-Gcnual Polk Proposes Erchange IF
Irisoners-Rcply Of General G,an--Canare Of Grain
from le Rebets, de-
This has been the most exciting day have known in
several weeks; indeed, do not remember in which
so much fear vnlor have been combined and exhibit
ed during the campaign The immediate Of all this
hubbub the arrival or small stern wheel steamer,
the Grampus, with Tag Of truce from tho Right Rev.
Major General Bishop Ieonidas Polk, ESD, commanding
the rebel states army at Columbus. When the strange
craft first showed herself below Fort Holt, with her
white flag at the pcak the widest scenes OF excitement
enacted. The whole populace OF the town gathered
upon The lcvee Speculaons rife 70 her errand
and all sorts Of conjcctures mndc, ard when she
came TO anchor within muskct shot or hair dozen
Union steamers, right under the guns Of Forts
prcntiss and Holt and the steamer Alock Scott,
with General Grant and Commodore Graham
board, went out to learn the object Of her mis-
sion, there universal din OF camor TO
know her business. Presently the Scolt made fast to
her; General Grant and Commodore Graham stopped
board and, side by sde the steamers turned their
prows the stream aud st 10 sight in tho
bend Of the river below Birds Point fhcn small boat
was approaching the shore and all irckcd 10 the
landing hoping to learn something of the strange pro
ceaurc But nothing could be learned, aid the excite
mcnt became intense. just then some hea,icss wretch
started report that the tenor of her business 10
y General Grant that he must oyacnatc s place forth
with, the rebel troops would compel him and that
until O'Clock tomorrow morning woil be allowed
him t. divcs tho town oil lis women and children Then,
sure enough, there were
Aud gathering tears and remb ngs Of distress,
And cheeks all pale which but an hour ago
sweating profns ly their Mondays washing.
Trunks were packed, and clothes bundled for
fee in sdoubequck" General McCIernands brigade
para,ed to the tune Of Dxie' Squire Ilannon 1Iome
Guards that s'never 10 leave except in
Of INVASION were ordered to pivk their tlnts and
| hold themselves In readiness 30 run Mt q nomcnt's
| Clira tllr
town swarned to the levee to got the news. bevy Of
reporters went on board az soon ns h" steamer arrived
within Jumping distance Of The whsr boat ana the General
aud Commodore were assacd with thousand questions,
but it no use their lips were sealed AMI repaired
| TO our suppers the more wondering.
General Grant, however, has favored me with copy or
the correspondence, which is as follows You vii, see
peculiar spicincss in his answer 10 General Polk espe-
cialy the manner in which he directs it" To Major
4 General Polk Columbus, KY
| GEN. POLK's LETTER.
HEADQUARTERS, FIRST DIVISION WlssTyBN DErA RfMEvT.
| No date or locaiitv.--REp.1 I
To THE COMMANDING OFFICER AT C.Ro AND BRDs PoNr:
have in camp number Of prisoners Of the federal
army and am informed there prisoners belonging to
the Missouri State Guard in yours Ipropose exchange
OF these prisoners and for that purposc send Captain
Polk OF the artillery, and Lieutenant Smith Of the infant
ry both Of the Confederate States army, with flag Of
| your pleasure in regard to my proposal. The principles
recognized in the exchange Of prisoners Effected the I'd
Of September between Brigader General Pillow, Of the
Confederate army, and Colonel Wallace, Of the United
States Army, those propose the basis now
contemplated Respectfully, your obedient servant,
MAJOR General Commanding
GENERAL GRANTS ANSWER.
HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,
CAIRO, Oct. ID, 1851.
GESERAI--Yours OF this date is lust received In re-
gard to the exchange Of prisoners proposed can OF my
own accord, make none. J recognise Southern
federacy myself, but will communicate with higher
authorities for their views Should | be sustained
will find means Of communicating With yol. Respect
fully, your obedicnt servant. U. s. GRANT.
Brigadcr General Commanding
To MAJOR GENERAL POLK, Columbus. KY.
BY this communication we learn several things First
General Polk is stl in command rs Major General and
has not gone TO Richmond 70 I'LL the office Of Confederate
Secretary Of War second, General Gideon Pillow is
Major General but only Brigadicr third, General
a. 8 Johnston Is not in active command tho Western
Department Of the rcbe army.
Captain Polk and Lieutenant Smith both gradn-
aes Of West Point. Tho former is nephew OF OK
President james X. Polk, and bears tho same
relation 10 bis Reveronce the beligeron, TsorsJan
Both represented thorough soldiers In addition
General Grants written answer he verbally informed
the two WORTHLESS that the tonederates must never again
have the temery 10 run one OF their steamers within
range Of Our guns under any rretext whatever; that II
was only common ccaresy, and not because he recog-
nizcd them as begcrcnts, that he allowed them TO %
back 70 Columbus, and warned them against repeating
their visit
one thing Is worthy Of note in tbs connection, ami
that i ths:Tht paper on which Bishop General Poks
letter il written Is sheet OF The finest congress letter
press Win flaming great eagle and trtyhrec stars
capitol at Washington stamnei upon the upper left hand
colrar
party Of twenty-five Of Captain Noand,s covalrv
from Birts Point to-day encountered hundred rebel
cavalry at Berwick's Farm, Charleston A nght
sued and Nolands men were obliged 10 retreat. Our
loss was one man killed, five wounded ani three missing
detachment Of Colonel Mobiles cavalry ard Colonel
Reardcns infantry returned from loraging foay last
night with large amount o seccssiun grain and stock
valued at ten thousand dollars, the property Of Que
Shelby Ihompsoni captain IN The rebel army
Death OF Ex-Governor Woodbridge.
DgrgolT Oct. 90, 1861
Ex-Governor Woodbridge died at his residence in this
city to-day, aged eigntyfour years