Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-06
Important from Cairo.

The Cairo correspondent of the st. Louis
Democrat of the 4th says:
The gun-boat expedition, of which noti-
fed you in my last, did not leave until
Saturday morning at three o'clock. had
embarked early on Friday morning. The
Tyler, Commodore Rogers, aud the Lsring-
ton, Captain StembeI, hauled in their
anchors and ran down the Mississippi. On
reaching Columbus, Kentucky we thought
to find the battery reported a little below on
the Missouri side, but could find no signs
of any. .,
We then ran down to Hickman, and Eve
miles below that towr, closely scanning the
shores, and aDxiously waiting an attack
from the enemy, our men standing at their
guns all the time, but we were disappointed.
On returning we found that the Secession
lists of Hickman had run up a Secession flag,
apparently in defiance. A large wharf-boat
laid at the levee, heavily loaded with -four,
nails, dried and green fruit, and other arti-
cles, undoubtedly to be shipped either to
Pillows army at New Madrid, or to the Ten
nessee rebels.
1t was very hard for the gallant Commo-
dore and Colonel Wagner, chief of artillery
at Cairo, who was with u.s. to pass by with
out tearing that flag down and seizing the
wharf boat with its contents. but they were
compelled to obey orders, which were that
they must not touch Kentucky soil unless
first attacked.
AT the point on the Missouri side nearly
opposite Columbus, from the appearance Of
several mounted men who were seen scouts
| ing about, it was thought that a battery
might be concealed in the woods. Commo-
| dore Rodgers threw shell in, which burst
| beautifully, but no battery was there. At
| Columbus Secession flag was flung to the
| breeze, also at settlement on the Kentucky
side, about ten miles above.
Il u
| rife shots were fired at us from the Missouri
siGe but did not reach. The first impulse
was to give them broadside, but as there
were several houses close to shore with
| women and children about, the FIRE was not
returned. We got back to Cairo about noon,
and, as learn, telegraphic dispatches were
| sent for instructions as to whether the boats
| should go again down and seize the wharf
boat at Hickman.
The Tyler and Lexington are anchored
now opposite Cairo, ready for active service.
They have lately received quite a number of
recruits from st. Louis.
The COnestogG which went up on Friday
to Evansville to take on a crew, is expected
down to~day, and is now ready for active
service.
Cairo and Birds Point, for the last four
days, have been receiving large additions to
their forces, and the whole effective force at
both points will reach nearly eleven thou
sand men.
Brigadier-General McCIernand arrived
here on Friday, and his whole brigade is rap
idly pouring in from Springfield. He has
not yet assumed command of this post but
will probably do so in a day or so.
The Des Wo'neS, from st. Louis, brought
down on Saturday morning the Fortieth
Illinois Regiment, Colonel hicks.
Parts of Colonels Buford's, Logan's and
Reardon's Regiments arrived on Friday and
| Saturday Tho raDn0ipdnr Oe fha brir do 20
expected here to-day.
The Douglas Brigade and the Yates phalanx
are still encamped near Chicago They will
probably be sent TO this point.
AdVices from Cape Girardeau and Com
merce yesterday report all quiet at both
points.
1t is thought that all the rebels around these
towns have been Withdrawn to reinforce
Pillow and Hardee. They also reported
General Prentiss in pursuit of Hardee, and
with the intention of attacking Pillow at
New Madrid; also, some forty miles south
west Of Cape Girardeau, which would place
him about Bloomfield, recently the head
quarters of JEFF. Thompson's force.
Reliable reports came into Cairo last even
ing that General Prentiss had taken possess
ion Of Bloomfield without meeting any
| enemy, and that his intention was 90 marcn
| rapidly on Pillow at New Madid' oliH
later reports say that he had ieft tnat place,
| and is on the way 10 New maulVi aHu lnat
}. the gun boats viii be dispatched; also force
S ofinfSn,rT to cut off Pillows retreat across
the Mississippi. This last, however, is not
SO reliable as the former. ~
A hsg of truce was sent into Birds Point
: on Friday by the rebels, which asked for an
D | exchange of prisoners. The bearer said that
the rebels had twenty Federal soldiers pris-
oners, and asked for a return OF the same
number Of rebel prisoners but our officers
find that they have only three of ours and II
| they have any more they must be Union
( men of Missouri, who have been torn from
: their homes and imprisoned on account Of
| their Union sentiments. They very prop.
, erly refused the exchange, as according 70
! that rule the rebels could always find, with
out Rghting plenty Of prisoners to exchange
for their taken in arms. s-a
: Strong efforts were made TO obtain the ex
}, change of the rebel Lieutenant. Wood ward
i taken at the skirmish Of Charleston, but b
: is too smart man to be let 20 into the rebe
' forces. He has been acting as SPY for som
Il time past and has acknowledged that he ha
n been inside of the lines at Birds Point set
-