The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-06-20
A trip to Cairo.

n mllllaEy education Is not necessary to
realize the Importance of Cairo as a straget-
ical point. 1t is as obvious to the civilian
as the soldier. Situated at the confluence
Of two of the noblest rivers or this conti-
nent, whose fertile banks TEEN with the pro-
ducts raised by myriads of industrious
hands, and upon whose bosoms these pro
ducts are transported to all parts of the
earth-CairO is the key that locks or I'M
locks this vast storehouse at the bidding
Of the troops who may chance to occu-
Ply the town. At present, the govern
ment chooses to turn the key, and the huge
granaries of Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and In
diana, filled to OVERLOOKING with corn. are
closed to the famishing thousands in the
Southern States who are offering the mos
exorbitant prices for it. Cairo must ever
remain military station, and the fortifca-
tons now being erected there give ipdica-
tons of permanence and strength.
On arriving at Cairo, our boat was visit
ed by some members of the Chicago Ligh t
Artillery, among whom we recognized an
old acquaintance. We visited the ouarters
OF this splendid battalion of troops. The
men are pleasantly located in the store de-
pot ofthe Illinois Railroad Company. which
stands on the levee. The room was largo
and airy; the men were neat and cleapIv
in appearance; and the guns we're polished
to such an extent that they readily answer
ed the place of mirrors The battalion,s
uniform was the handsomest in appearance
and made of better material, than any we
have yet seen in the service it consisted
of gray cashmere coat and pants. of fine
quality, and cap with a kind of cane at-
tsched- takinn- tho place ef tho hava1o-l
which is worn by several of the troops in
Camp Defiance. Divine service was held in
the artillery quarters in The afternoon.
which was largely attended by members Of
the battalion, as well as the ladies of the
city.
Having secured pass to Camp Defiance,
from Lieut.. Col. Rhodes, of Shawneetown |
and having bat few hours to spend in the |
city, we made haste to visit the camp. The
entrance to the camp is at the side of the /
St. Charles Hotel, and is guarded by q
couple of sentinels From this point the /
camp extends around the outskirts of the
city, but within the levee, in the form of a
semi-circle, the chain of sentineIs as "A oen-
eral thing, being clear of the houses. Most
OF the troops live in barracks constructed
oil wood. These appear to be stoutIy built.
with tight roofs, and supplied with GOOD
Duuks' They were so constructed as to Sc
cure hne ventilation. The only inconven-
fence likely to be realized from the man
ner IN which they were made sugeestino
itself to the mind was that they would soon
become intolerable on account of bed-bucs
But soldiers on campaign are not exDected
70 regard so Insignificant thing as that
COL Cook and McArthur's regiments dwell
in tents.
The men complain but little of the fare
though we think it is not so good as that Of
the lth regiment while encamped near onr
city. The health was generally excellent.
But one man has died, we believe, since III.
troops went into camp. Cairo does not an
pear to be the sickly place for which it has
credit. The sun shines intolerably hot dur
ing the middle of the day but the nights are
cool and there is generally pleasant breeze
during the greater part of both dav and
night.
Passing hastily through Camp Defiance.
we visited the fort or earthwork fortidca-
Lion which is now being thrown up on the
extreme point General Prentiss evidently
designs making this fort impregnable. Al
ready vast amount of work has been done
indeed, the heaviest part has been ac- s
'omplished- The entire point has been
i'ieo with earth +; large magazine con- !
tructed and covered so as to be INNER (
nous to shot and shell, and filed with i'm |
elements of destruction. We found already !
mounted and ready for use FIVE large 80
looking monsters they were O
one eight-inch howitzer and one eight or a
en- inch mortar. These were 50 ARRANGED q
3 TO sweep every approach bv watar 90 :
70 be to the boat that attempts to mas, n
the consent of those having them in a
barge At Birds Point, Immediately on 4
'oSite, on the Missouri side Of the sIississip-
~ the tents of Col. Schuttners Missouri r
oiunteers were plainly visible. They are c
lso engaged in THROWING nm bs.vv STE n
ions. q
About 81 O'Clock in The evan;ua 4
he pleasure of WITNESSING ,r,,,.s-,s'., ri
ng dress parade. The nar.4a -',,' te
unsurpassed by any in the coun,rS u