Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-05-05
Correspondence Daily Patriot.

On STEAMER GEN. ANDERSON,
Ohio River, May 1, 1851.
DEAR PATRIOT:-Having desire to visit
the western headquarters of Mr.. LincOln's
army, now stationed at Cairo, took my de-
parture on yesterday on the swift and ele-
CANT passenger packet Gen. Anderson, whereof
our clever friend JAMES F. MILLER is master
and that ever attentive and popular gentle
man BEN. F. EGAN is clerk. Among our pas
sengers down we had the crew of the c. Il.
Human, which boat we found at Paducah,
having been towed there by the 3. M Rmyan.
In the river circles there is great Indignation
felt towards one McCawley, pilot by pro-
fession, and we believe a KentuckIan by
birth, who volunteered his services to take
the steamer Sa0alLOa0 and intercept the c. Z.
Hillfnaa when about eight miles above Cairo.
The patriotic aud high-minded people of Pa
ducah will most assuredly s,0allOw him if he
ever visits that place.
Arriving in sight of Cairo, our mind natu-
rally dwelt upon contraband goods, but know
ing the Gen. Anderson to be regular packet
ia the trade, and her popular officers known
to everybody, we of course did not anticipate
any difficulty; but strange to say-and l
think it originated By my association with
noted corn merchant, one of our passengers
Il was suspected of having contraband
goods, and sure enough,upon an examination
my valise was found to contain two pairs of
dirty socks and ticker of whisky, which
were confiscated, of course.
But to be serious; Cairo presents warlike
appearance, 5000 troops being here in camp,
and 700 more were expected by trains to-
morrow night. They have thrown up for
tffications on the Ohio river and Mississippi
side, and also at the point, and have planted
cannon on all Of them; also, they have sew
eral hundred troops up the railroad as spies,
watching the railroad and country, fearing
the cutting of the levee and an assault in the
rear.
The officers, so far as could learn, and L
was introduced to many of them, said they
were at Cairo to protect the soil of Illinois,
and would never consent to invade Kentucky
or Missouri. The excitement at Cairo had
caused general stampede of the female sex
from that place. but the military in charge,
to pass off time, got up grand ball the night
was there, and was one Of the fortunate
invited guests. Ladies were scarce in reali-
ty, but my vision discerned at least 800,
twenty-five of each were dressed exactly alike,
and when left the ballroom | think there
was, at the least calculation, $500 people
dancing. Everything was done up brorOH,
and suggested to the officers in charge that
the band play my favorite, "Dixie," when
one of them kindly remarked to me it was
a foreign composition and they could no.
comply. / caved of course.
Under letters OF marque and reprisal, is
sued by the independent State of McCracken,
the first contraband seizure from old Abe's
army was made to-day by one of our river
friends at Cairo, he finding musket, cart
ridge-box and bayonet-belt in an exposed
situation, not having any soldier Herewith
attached, he seized them and brought them
Oh board the boat. Upon the arrival of our
gallant friend at Paducah, the boys took
possession of him and his musket and es-
corted him in triumph through the streets.
The night left Cairo FIVE soldiers were
drummed out of camp because they did not
know Ben. F. Egan, the effulgent clerk of
the Gen. Anderson. The officers at Cairo are
all right, but the privates-oh, hush!
On arriving at GAINESVILLE the Gen. Ar'der-
sons passengers went under small exami-
nation in regard to contraband goods, when
it was found that our worthy friend, the corn
merchant, was guilty, being heavily fortified
on the legs with eontraband goods, and was
disposed to s0allow.
The city of GAINESVILLE is all alive with
military: four companies, the finest looking
men we ever saw, were on parade when We
arrived at that place. Rest assured, turn
these boys loose, and they will return with
the laurel of victory on their brow. Old
Montgomery sends greeting to her sister
counties, and challenges them to the conflict.
Yours, perspiringly, BOB.