The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-09
Mr.. Russell on Cairo.
Correspondence of the London Times.


- CAIRO, June 20.
This place is the head quarters OF the
brigade of Illinois troops, employed in be-
half of the Union, to keepa watch and ward
over the important point, which commands
the junction OF the Mississippi and Ohio
riv ers. Major General Pillow, of Tennes.
see, blockades the current of the united riv-
ers at Memphis; Brigadier General Prem.
tiss blockades both strea ms before they Join
at Cairo higher up. The former is in the
midst of friends, the latter is surrounded by
enemies-across the rivers, in his rear, be-
low, behind and above HMM his very
camp there are secessionist feelings, senti.
ments and wishes, sometimes represented by
actual force l.
A few hours took me out of the Southern
camps to the federalist position but seces-
sion sentiments travelled on beard the
steamer. The passengers were rather seces-
sionists than Unionlsts, and must say,
from what | have seen, there is far more
leniency and forbearance shown by the
United States authorities to rebels, than
the latter exhibit towards those who are
in favor of federal principles, which are
generally described down South as "aboli
tionists." On landing on the levee at CAIRO,
the passengers went where they listed, and
very strong secession st from New Orleans,
who had travelled with me on the train
going North on business FL suspect
tam Marie guam Mercurie--was let go his
way by General P:entiss after brief de.
tention. Regarded from the river, Cairo
consists of bank of mud, running out in
the junction of the Mississippi and Ohio, in
the shave of a horizontal q. The tops of
certain unimpressive wooden stores appear
above the bank, and one tall hotel rises
aloft near the sharp end, before which the
United States flag floats with all its thirty.
four stars. At the angle there is an earth
work, which is not yet complete, but which
will soon be finished, in very good or
der. 1t is a random or rather heche fol-
lowing the line Of the banks, with good
profile and commando regular ditch scarp
and counter scarp. The delta is strongly
occupied by Illinois volunteer forces, with
two field batteries and several guns of posi~
ton. On the opposite shore OF the Missis-
sippi, at place calico Birds Point, 10 the
State of Missouri, is detached post, with
field entertainments, held by a regiment
composed of Germans, Poles, and Hunga.
rians, under Colonel Schuttner, about 1000
strong, and several pieces of light artillery.
Posts are also established higher up on the
banks OF each river, but on the bank of the
Ohio, opposite to Cairo, the soil is tabooed.
There is the sacred soil OF Kentucky,
and Beriah Magoffin has warned the United
States off his premises. 1t is my belief
however, that Columbus will not be long
unoccupied. The Kentuckians opposite
Cairo are very strong secessiOnists. %
In the! hollow between the levees of the
rivers is Camp Defiance, which must be the
base of operations of any force proceeding
down the Mississippi. aes,b = o,;st :
The bulk of the troops are encamped in
wooden sheds, provided with bertbs like
those in ship, which are disposed longitu,
dinally, so as to afford the maximum of
sleeping room. These sheds run continu.
ously along the inward side of the levees,
the tops OF which are broad enough to serve
as carriage roads. They answer well
enough for temporary purposes, but would
not do for heightened residence. There
can be no, drainage, as the ground on which
they stand is below the water level. The
parapet is capacious ard level enough-the
bottom of q swamp which the troops have
cleared, cutting down trees and removing
stumps with great diligence and labor. i
JUNE 81.
/ visited the earthworks at the end of
the levee. The work | found to be rather
."crowded" with guns, but its gives promise
of such strength as to enable the occupants
to command both rivers effectually. The
armament is quite adequate to all purposes,
and consists of one eight inch howitzer. two
"a Founders, two 80 FOUNDERS, and some
lighter guns, the whole being dominated by
q ten inch columbiad in the centre, on a
circular traversing slide, not mounted The
! magazine is we'll made and lighted; it is
the safest and best / have seen in the States.
The practice saw with q field piece from