The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-05-18

IMPORTANT FROM CAIRO.
Ap0THkR sfY ARREeTED-oRDERS TO ENFORCE TIE
BIocKADH OF THE uPPER MISSISSIPPI RECEIVED,
src.
me special despatch from Cairo May 49, to the Chicago
Pse. says
Another spy was arrested last night, supposed 70 be
o. General Froets. An informal trial had, and
ne q neh over. Hs says his anne is Peasants.
Cr;tec States Army officer arrived here day from
Warrington, bringing orders 10 enforce the blockade
Orders have been ssued day TO stop Ill commerce 10
stasss in rebellion. There romors here from boats
srd below that they are bound to pass blockade or
mere have been many arrivals to-day of loyasts who
have sscspss from the South they report increased sx
Tne repess 81 Memphis declare the river shall not be
ANortnern vas taken at Randolph, Tennessee,
half Of his face and head snaved and chained to work
the fortfcasions be shot.
is reported % here snas kr. Horton lwno % used 70
was hung by the rebels In Memphis yesterday Horton
haf recently come ap from Arkansas where he had been
The fortidcstions here be rapidly pushed FOR
ward.
TNpoRrANT sTRAsBTIC POINT NEAR CAIRO.
For several days past have pubahed letters from
correspondents and other sources ntmatng that the
rebel forces collecting the Tennessee and Arkan
sas banks of the Mississippi intended ultimately fr
descent upon the fortified of Cairo Illinois The
most important strategical point from which secession
force could act against Cairo is that OF Bird Point Ken
lucky within cannon shot range Of the former place
This point, next 10 Cairo itself is the mos. important
one IN the United States. 10 be ongs A,ary sense,
10 Cairo for, while il alone could mand the
merce OF the great Western valleys Il capable VI being
made strong auxiliary annoy ing neignbor. IL
stands out boldly INTO the conueL Of fbe Mississippi
and ohio riyers little west OF south Of Caro- and DIS
tant little less than mile rbs is highly important
ground Tor Missouri and ii for Missouri tsrty for the
United states There is only house tue point that
is visible from the Illinois side That house is Mr.. Bird
The whole point his property; but is known that hs
rch that he ownss great number OF negroes (severa
Of whom have recently made their escape) and that
lie is sp.e.ul secessonst. From his house (Which
10 not large and built OF brick) II ie believed
that reconuotering party could with glass, overflow
is abrupt than ut any other place n the vicinity,
and Is higher at all points by three inches and at
points by hres feet than the lsyee that defends Cairo
These statements alone chow the importance OF Birds
Point. But other statements should be made On or
the extreme northern end Of the point Is railway
depot, buried in the frest The Fulton and Columbus
Railroad begins at the point and extends into the country
sixteen miles 10 Columbus No part o. the line can be
from Cairo All the country through which IL passes
and into which IL leads has secessionst population. II
does not appear that troops gathering there but IL s
not difficult 70 see that troope might be gathered there,
and Gent ~ the point and the unosans ain In total
ignorance until, perhaps too late, until il would be
necessary TO disedre them with superior force The
feature abou. Birds Point ig that thing may be
done there that the enemy lke-bateres may even be
planted there-and the army at Cairo know nothing Of
the movements while, the other hand the people
the point and the passengers every steamboat may
ana do know all that transpires al Cairo.