Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-11-18
IEforostisG CoHversaEIou wilh Gensrals
Pelk and Pillow.
Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune.l
CAIRO, Nov. l3.

IEsorostisG OoHversaEIou villa Gensrals
Polk and Pillow.
Correspondence Of the Chicago Trlbuns.l
OAIRo, Nov. ls.
On the day following the battle Of Bel
mont, Capt. H., Of our army, went down
the river with the expedition to bury tho
dead. Arriving on the bank opposite Co
lumbus. he met as he supposed, Gen. Cheat
ham, who very kindly gave him permission
to cross over into Columbus. Capt. h. had
with him q little boy whose father was g
prisoner in the rebel army. Immediately
upon stepping ashore from the steamer H.
". Hill, be was conducted to Gen. Pillows
Headquarters, and requested 10 give some
reason why he was in Columbus, apd in
termed that Il was unwarranted and unpre-
cedented for an officer from the enemy's
camp 20 come into Columbus the day after
so important q battle. BE replied that be
came ever 10 see Ool. Dougherty and Others
that were wounded. After some social con-
versation and the General being informed OF
the fact that the Captain had been under his
command in Mexico, Gen. Pillow finally de-
nanded 10 know by whose permission he
came over into Columbus Capt. H. replied
that il was by permission Of Gen. Oheatham.
He remarked that 1t was impossible, for not
ave minutes since he had left him in bed
sick. Capt. H. remarked that 1t could not
possibly be, for one Of his own soldiers had
pointed Gen. O. out as the General that had
led the forces against us the day before. In
an instant Gen. Pillow colored drew him
self up to his full height and replied 81 was
in command all day in person, until Gen.
Oheatham crossed with reinfOrcements, and
even then be commanded only by rank. -
Capt. B. spologized for his error after which
Gen. Pillow remarked that be was not salts
fed with the manner of his coming to Co.
/ lumbus, but would send him before Major
Gen. Polk.
On arriving at Gen. Folks headquarters,
that distinguished military evangelist was
found to be a very pleasant, 'urteous and
intelligent gentleman. He received Captain
q. very kindly, and had hardly done shaking
hands before Gen. Pillow came in, who stated
the circumstance of his being found there
Gen. Polk agreed with Gen. Pillow that be
had not seen Gen. OheathsmS but that he had
been misled. Both agreed that he had nc
business in Columbus, and they retired to the
hall and conversed for some time. When they
returned, Gen. Polk asked, " "What does Gen
Grant mean by sending bosts down here will
flags of truce2 What does be mean BY thC
present eIpedition"
"Well, General, replied the Captain, al
ca1 only give you my opinion. as know
nothing of his message TO you"
The Captain then told him he understood /
to be to bury our dead, attend to our wound
ed, and exchange prisoners.
q Exchange prisoners2" said General P.
shat is just what wish to get at" reaching
around on the table and graspiDg Gen. Grant,
communication, and reading "there ar
twenty-three wounded and sick men sent
down to you" docs that look like eX
changer No. Gen. Grant does not treat III
as we deserve to be treated. Why does ht
not treat Us and address Us as bslligsrsnts p
/ All We wish is for him to acknowledge US a
belligerents. We do not desire him to &C
knowledge our independence. We have takeI
prisoners on both sides, but still We are no
even to be considered in the light of belliger
ents. Now, why is this2 l do not hold yoI
responsible for Gen. Grants act, but why il
this sol"
The Captain replied that Gen. Grant would
fight him hundred years before he would
acknowledge that point unless so directed By
{ his Government.
"What are you fighting for? Do you e1
pect to subiugate us2" asked he.
Capt q. told him We had no desire to sub
ugate them, but we were determined to main
tain the Union.
Gen. P. remarked that there was no Union
It was completely dissolved.
! The Captain assured him it was still per.
fectly sound, as far as we could see from the
North; they in Columbus were standing or
United States soil.
he wished to know if we did not feel like
acknowledging their Confederacy after few
more such battles as we had had.
The Captain assured him there was no dis
position to do so that the North had hardly
commenced fighting, yet indeed, had scarce.
ly taken care Of the traitors st home. The
first earnest move We had made was the
present coast expedition, and be thought we
would soon occupy all the principal Southern
harbors, and then we could manage the cot
ton question on orr own terms.
he replied that the planters would not
bring the cotton to market.
The Captain intimated that the world could
get along without King Cotton as long as his
majesty could get along without the world
after which the conversation changed.
Opinion Of Lords PRImerst0u and RUSSELL:
The London correspondent of the N. Y.
Herald processes to give the following on au-