New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-02
FROM THE WESTERN ARMY.
Personnel and Health OF the Troops-0ccupa-
non OF Birds Point-runItions for the
Rebel. suiug RIed sonth Under Crineiiue.
From Our sPeei'l Correspondent.

From Our Special Correspondent.
ClRo Ill, Wednesday, May %, 1861.
a drizlly, muddy, melancholy day. Cairo, never
eaptiy. ting the esthec soul it prominently lugu-
brous during mild ram. In dry weather, true, the
Gun reflected from the water burns YOU little
fe.cely here than anywhere else but the zane water
gives you "a cool breeze at light and there is some
anncment, even while signing Ike furnace, in study
Ing the levee, the watermarks upon the trees and
houses the sted plank sidewalks and the other dilu-
van "reminiscences of this noudescrirt saucer-ke ter
nqueoGs town. Then you may analyze the soil spe-
cuIse upon he exact amount Of fever and ague which
il will generate 10 the acre; and learn whether the
whisky saloons which spring up in marvellous pro-
fusion, are indigenous 10 il, unnatural growth
stimulated by baled real estate speculations some
oihersort OF immoral uano Indownrght wet weather.
too there il ample food for reflection. When the win
dows Of heaven opened il ia interesting TO calculate
how toon tie streets will become nayigable aud to
note tie effect upon the amphibious natives. But ii
damp dirty sticky day Ike this which is neither one
thing nor another, renders Cairo any thing bu torres
usl paradise.
Long-sufering nuch-abused Cairo What wounds
hast thou not received from the Parhian arrows OF
tourists Poor John Phenix was the best marksmaD
of them all. Thy threats TO mob him II he ever sp-
pear,d here again, may not have been Christian
philcso; lsc, but they were ut least human. The
season here said he, "Is usually opened with great
oeat by snailp0 continued Sprtediy by cholera, and
closed zap brilliantly with yellow fever. Sweet spot"
Some theorists have long believed that the great
metropolis Of the Mississippi Valley, the granry OF the
world would ultimately be heCe, and have proved
their faith by inyesiing-permanenty investing,
tlink-n enterprises TO hasten that reeut so il was
once held tDat Alton ought to become great city, and
year ai.er year tie Illinois lawmakers attempted to
legsa,e her into a metropolis. But Cairo and Alton
still anguish in Obscnry while ST. Louis and Cncn-
natl, twinqueeus OF this imperial valley. have succeed
ed 10 their graud heritage There are people who be-
lieve this result forced and artificial; but Nature
settles these matters by laws which though hidden, are
neAorable Even among that mysterious, semi-ciyil-
lied race which swarmed in this valley centuries ago,
before the INDIAN the great centc OF population were
where they Irc now.
The moral and intellectual standard of the troops
here il very high. They are characterized by remark
able intelligence, sobricy, and pride Of character
Scores Of graduates of the leading colleges in the land
and men worth forty, fifty, and sixiy thousand dol
lars apiece are serving in the ranks. Intemperance is
almost entirely unknown. Whatever courage they
which always prevails against mere brute force-nte-
lgen, courage. The historian OF these times will 70,
cord that such body Of befare went out to
battle, as the great Army of Freedom now mastering
in the North. These loyal of the West respond
ed with exceeding promptness 10 the call Of the mpcr-
lied Republic At few hours notice lsome without
tine to bid their families adeu) they came from
the farm and the desk, the shop and the Office. aud
formed the vanguard Of the Western army. In some
ii was literally true that
Thoy LEFT the powshare in the mould,
Their hocks aud herds without fold"
A few Of them lad been in the Mexican war; and
some Of the Germans had served in European armies
but nearly all recruits. The excellent drill
they have already acquired is striking illustration of
the adaptabity Of our people to military accomplish
ments II excites universal admiration; and more than
one officer who is familiar with the veteran troops Of
the Old World has expressed surprise TO me on wit
uessipgit, The dress parade Of the thgse regiments