The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-07
OUR CAPE GIRARDEAU CORRESPONDENTS

CAPE GRARDEAU, Mo, August 81. 1861
V'Ht 10 Cape Observation-Disclosures Deldys-Iortrait Of
Bri9odir General Graat-His Military Career-7he
Mississippi Navy-Is Commcnder-Anrietg for a Fyoat,
de-, DEC.
On Thursday last, learning from what considered a
reliable source that there prospect of sanpuinarv
battle at Cape Girardeau within few davs at once de-
ternned to visit that point The steamer Louisiana had
been detailed to take troops Commerce touching
at the Cape on her way down. and accordingly
passage board and reported myself at the Can,ains
office at two ?. NJ the time at which the boat
was expected to start In the East it is the
custom Tor steamboat or railway train to leave at The
appointed hour, but in the West public announcement
that g the new and saunoh packet the ---. will
leave for - at four p NJ y merely means that tho
craft will not depart before that time and that her
may be prolonged indefinite period for any reason
satisfactory to the captain The Louisiana did not leave
her landing until the morning of the day being de-
famed by the nonarrya Of officers who had taken
passage As we passed the Arsenal we were hailed but
not stopped by the sentry duty the water Some
thirty two Founders, which command the river and the
Iron Mountain Railroad looked grim threatening but
Old not modest us Along the river nearly every village
and residence sauted witt loud cheering and -
liberal display of the stars aud atrpee 10 which on
men vocerousk responded. Brigader General Grant a
short time since commanding at ronton and iateriy at
Jefferson CITY, was the boat intending to land al tbe
Tape 10 take command OF the forces there. The
General Is decidedly unnilItary in appearance,
Oc-
Cuients OF the cabin who would be selected
as The superior officer OF ALL He about forty five yenrs
O age not more than five feet eight inches IN height
,ihu VI Ordinary Frame with Slight tendency TO oorp,
iency The expression Of his face i. pleasing and smile
10 almost continually playing around Ms dark gray
ALONG the base OF his Goantenance derse growth Of
auburn beard which barber has for some tn,e heen
pel'leu 70 mutiiate, b9' tme has slightly tnged it with
gray His thick growth Of black hair Is brushed care
lessly back revealing forehead that would delight
pnrenologst His utterans rapid but has mono Of
the painful precision that of,entmes denotes the military
man The General Is n graduate of West Point and sor
ca WIN honor during the Mexican war, and has been i'm
Tue army since the close Of thai contest until wthin,he
p,t NY years Al the opening the rebellion he again
,lle service and has been active duty in Mis-
eoml ibis much have said concerning him as h ie
possible that he may figure prominently in action befr
Jected to thl pofN ~ i"'"e"' 'Po'' ui-
. de navy Of the Mississippi is ast taking shape.
snougD IL is not yet fully organized Tho ~,
oi he Neei Tor service r. the great valley h sna i tba
BulDcats now IN commission Cairo and u , hano,oo
quite formidable when the boats now bri,di, ~. q.
anu Mooho eiiy are launched and equipped AtSt
Jons Len river boats formerly used for the ,ro,s.
toh OF assengess and freight, have been either nr
Gu or chartered by the government and are eunro,s
iof carrying troops and stores 20 points along mo r
where they may be needed. Two more VI them are
kept constantly lred up and ready for al lnosn,
notice, in case OF any sudden emergency An u,o ~,
employed on these boats have taken or will soon t
fe oatn % allegiance to the United States aud arc 10 he
after tne manner OF those in the regular
navy. The commander Of this river feet Il Cap,a tBo
ton Abe OF long experience in steamboatnp on our West
ern wakers, and who is known throughout the Mig
Mississippi valley, from New Orleans to the head of
navigation During the summer, when commands ing the
boats In the Missouri river expedition he was Crisened
" Commodore" and am told that he is TO receive a
commission from government, making this hitherto
s,onoIaiy tl!e real one. frIN ana uncompromisng
man knowing intimately all the ntricacios Of the
"'A'' hAleFs, ana the people N'ao aweA upon It's