The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-08-01
Frorn Cairo.
IcOrs.pOndsnos Ottht Cincinnati ealsttsl
CAMP DEFIANCE, CARo. July 29.

ICorrespondsnoe OF tho Cincinnati oalett0.l
CAMP DEFIANCE. CARo. July 29.
We are in the midst Of perilous times-
big times, exciting times. There does at
length seem probability that tho troops
of Camp Defiance are 10 have some light
ing to do.
The news to-day from below is contra
dictory of what last wrote, and tele-
graphed on Friday evening.
An Euglishmsu deserted on Friday
from the rebel camp at Union City, and
made his way into this camp on Saturday
evening. He says that the rebels OF Un-
ion City, Of Randolph, and Of Memphis,
are all under marching orders. their des'
tination being New Madrid. Missouri for
ty miles below, on the Mississippi river.
They are already congregated to the
number of some / 900 at that place. and
every hour crowds of the poor, deludsd
devils are Aocking in to swell the Seces|
sion horde.
A feet Of steamboats, came up the Ran.
dolph on Thursday. and were engaged all
day Friday 10 transporting the men and
war munitions, They openly talk ofs1
attack on Birds Point, and think to have
easy work in sweeping our little army
into the Mississippi river. Itremains to be
seen, however. whether that very pleasant
Job is as easy Of accomplishment as they
seem to think.
There can be no doubt but that the re-
bells are preparing for "big strike" some.
where in Southsas. Missouri, but as 70
whether they will hazard an assault on
Birds Point, is matter that admits oi
considerable question. They must GER
taiuiy know something Of preparations to
receive them, and history-the short his
tory Of this campaign. the Manassas juno
ton affair to the contrary, Dotwithstand'
inp-shows that rebel valor is no! OF the
most GLORIOUS" kind, especially when
the chances are possibly against them.
But then, for what purpose are they
congregatiug q. New Madrid, II not tc
fight? And if they are in Missouri to
fight, how dare they 60 to the right of u'
, toward Ironton or Cape Girardeau--
leaving such force as is under command
! of Gen. Prentiss, ready at any moment tc
fall on their rear?
h Perhaps, after all, their fighting plucl
is up to the eliminating point at lsst,and
: they do iuteod to give us chance a
them on Birds Point.
The town and camp are all excitement
ARMS and ammunition constantly going
over the river, aids running here anc
there commanding officers gouped abou
g n close consultation, and q thou
It sand rumors Of tbousand shapes floating
h around to- give zest to the thing. l tel
F" you it looks like "business," aud, as it ii
n the first shore Of "trade" T have seer
q since coming to Cairo, I enjoy it hugely
= Rumor bad it that we were to- be at
= tackled on Saturday night last. kbou
n ten o'clock in the evening, took ny
4 lamp and started TO bed, thinking, as i
!, '.phy night" saturday night, you will
:, . understand. is the Reporters only PLAY
. . time, in Cairo) toget good long night
sleep. On the landing ! met gentla
man, who expressed astonishment at m.
1t going off to bed. when iu a short time th
fight Was to begin over the river. / o!
r Tered that gentleman Eve dollars to wax.
,s me whenever the fight should begin, and
(. notice the five dollars have never bee
d. called for. looked out Of my window i
rs the morning aad saw the Birds Poir
Of eucampmsnt quietly dotting the far shOr
N Of the Mississippi. in apparent unconcer
l. Of the war;" that filled the military a
IS mosphere:of the town.
But you must not believe that there
no cause for all this excitement. Thei
y rumors of attack come from such source
III as entitle them to some notice at leas
D. The English deserter's story l have rt
Q. ferred to; lheE, ths engineer Of a boz
n. running between here and Paduch say
or thai the Secessionists Of that place al
IN in high elee at the prospect Of the rou
lie which they say IS to come off on ne1
IN Wednesday night: And there is n
er question but that they are gathering l
r. Missouri. as II have said.
III The Prince of Wales came from Men
III phis to New Madrid. on Saturday, wit
a a full shipment of horses and wagon
r. aubulances, &C., are on the way.
No doubt the rebels S are advised IS
the condition Of our camp, tie departuI
re Of large numbers Of the three month
men, aud the consequent weakening a
re it must seem to them) of our force. b.
ID in very truth. They will be woefuli
te disappointed il they think 10 catch us VI
te prepared for fight. True, goodly nun
ber OF our men have gone to their home
l. but their places are about all filed b
oil recruits, who, ifnot so we'll drilled, ar
nevertheless, brave in heart and strong
or hand to defend the flag that floats ov,
II. Fort Prentice,
l. is said that Major General Bishc
st Polk has stopped the running OF trains G
RS the Mobile aud Ohio Railroad. True
"a. not, a passenger managed to get throug
a on Saturday. from whom ! got the maj
's' ner Of pass one has 10 have now.a.da.
to get away from the enlightened, free ci
o. Of Msmphis--oue of the Capitals in Il
e. ''laud Of the Tree and the homo of Il
he brave" It may be Of some interest, al
ed I copy:
no No CONFEDERATE STATE OF AMERICA,
n Headquarters Dept No. Q,
m Memphis, Tennessee, July 25.
'p' Mr.. Sam. Patch has permission (D
ny leave Memphis for St. Louis. upon
m honor ns a mnn. that he will not comm