New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-07
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM CAIRO.
CAPTURE OF STEAMER WITH ONE HUNDRED
AND SEYRNTY-PIyH THOUSAND DOLLARS
AIISI2

WORTH OF ARMS BY THE LOYALISTS.
From The Memphis Bulletin April%.
We regret to learn that the steamer G. E. Hillman,
with $l75 900 worth o. arms, Purchased IN st. Louis
destined for Nashville was captured at Cairo this
morning about O'Clock.
II seems that the commander Of the military forces
at Cairo, having been made acquainted with the large
amount OF ANN milton board the Hlllman, started
the steamer swallow steamer which has been fitted
up like the b. Ii. Cheney sort Of manof-war, was
provided with soldiers and cannon and started up the
river to meet the Iilman. About o'clock this morn
ing the Swallow met the Hilman about eight miles
above Cairo, and Capt Corbt, of the Hillman, being
hailed from tho Swallow and supp0siUg that they
merely wished to make some communication, per.
mited her to land slongside, when officer backed
by soldiey presented himself and demanded possee-
sion Of the boat.
Capt Corbtt, having no means to defend himself
was compelled TO obey He, however, refused TO land
at Cairo, but did at Boyds Point the Missouri side
and the officer threatened to open the battery upon
him. but be persisted in his refusal saying that II they
wished ~ destroy the boat they could do go but be
would never land AT Cairo. Afterwards the eolders
had the Hillman towed TO the Cairo side Of the
river and Capt. Corbitt was told be would walt I'll
tie AIMS and ammunition were taken out he might
have his boat But be refused to take the boat unless
they would let him have its contents This was re-
futcd him. and he and all bis crew left his boat and
took the hst train for Nashville. This information
comes from Col H. II. Harrison, the agent OF Gov far-
ris who was the Eillman at the time and who has
telegraphed the substance OF the ABOVE 10 NshNluo.
The fillmans cargo consisted Of about 200 kegs OF
powder $50 900 blank cartridges, and 200 tuns OF lead,
beside corn oats and hay. Capt. Harrison Of Nash
Vile the agent Of Gov. Harris, the river yes-
terday endeavoring 10 intercept the Hillman above
Cairo with Instructions from the Governor TO run the
boat close to Boyd Point the Missouri shorei TO
pass through II possible, in the night to take the
chances Of the guns and if they find they are to be
taken TO act the boat FIRE, and thus prevent this
ammunition from falling into the hands of the enemy
We learn that everything that passes through Cairo
by express IL opened BY the military, and everything
relating 10 war is appropriated.
Up to Thursday morning, the military at Cairo had
caJtured II cases OF arms destined for the South.
The tow boat b. b. Cheney, which formerly run in
conjunction with the Mobile and Ohio Railroad has
been ftted up with guns a sort Of man-ofwar, to
chase and fire upon Oil steamers that may chance to
get beyond the reach Of tie battery.
The country from Cairo 10 Mound City has been pre-
pared for the operation Of the flying artillery that If
all other means fail, they can chase and fire upon
steamers from land.
As an illustration Of the vigilance Of the soldery in
examining everything that passes Cairo, may state
that box in the express addressed TO lady IN Mis-
sistippi was opened and though il contained nothing
but bunting for making hags, il seized upon and
appropriated by the Cairo soldiery.