New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-04

HK.por.HrsRs ILIiyos STATE MILITIA
c'~p'd At Cairo Cen b. NJ f Ap . 'H S5i '"'''
Knowing how the attention of the country NJ d.
rected TO this point and the desire If THk TRIDrNf
for accurate information, proceed with the perins-
sion Of the commandment TO give yon concee ana cor
rect report of tho occupancy of this point
need not state To your readers the geography OF
Cairo H., town of 500 inhabitants Ii haze many
times b, en- glanced by stra,egetc eyes. II naturally
commands two OF the nobest of river, with all their
large branches and an immense trade. But wilgive
you the general topography Of Cairo 1t Is situated
on the extreme southern point OF Illinois, which, IN
dry weather and low water, is dry enough for town.
but at high water in the present care, the surface
Of the river s eight ten feet above the level OF tie
town. which il protected by levees running several
miles along the bank of each river. This leyee Is
some fifty feet below low-water mark and this ID to
TO NJ ready-made breastwork, perfectly deienslble
from direct fire from the river Nothing can be in
iured except from shetland you know two can play
at that game. North OF Cairo for several miles, reach
ing from river 70 river ia ineIminable swamp pdss
able only by the Illinois Central Railroad. And this
road we have well guarded. Cairo then, is an iso-
lated dry spot and ut all Of the available landing places
Major j. ID. Webster has planted batteries, well en-
trenched and supported, that the channels OF both
rivers and their confluence are commanded, and The
batteries are 80 connected that they rally instantly
to each others support.
Within IS hours after Brig. Gen. X. X. Swift re-
ceiyed the order from Gov Yates TO occupy Cairo, he
had coo men on the march. So secret and precpitate
was the movement, that even the officials Of Caro-
were completely surprised In our haste, we omitted
many OF the camp necessares. But although many
struggled about all night all met each other on the
breakfastless morning with forced smiles and good
humored "Ilow do you feel, old fellerl' Many fine
fellow who had left a home of comfort AMI love, with
no nducement but pure patriotism, ! observed she
grosn Of hunger and suffering. BIT not a Nnrmm ras
haJd. few trains more, and We had every equip
mcnt fnd we ARE now in MI the fun and OF
camp. / have the same old story TO tell "Were
spilin for muss" Oh, NO be 10 those Of any number
who have the temerity 10 attack These are men
who sprang the first tap Of the drum from all parts
Of the State. We have encamped here more than
1900 men, More are to be here. Our German fellow
etzene of whom we have TWO fine companies, under
Capis. Gustlve Kowal and q. Mhalozy equal 10
any in patience and patriotism.
The morale OF the force is superior. We arc proud
Of officers, and officers proud Of men. Col. u. H.
Prntss, commanding Of Quincy, true soldier, wac
n Lieutenant in the Mexican war. His courteous ad.
.dress ana selfposseesion toward enemies alone
quite serviceable generals fighting. His
position here between friends and enemies lis trying.
Prudence with courage here is essential.
Major j. ID. Webster, Engineer, alSo Of the Next
can war; calm, composed, extensively informed wire,
goes about in citizen dese, with bis ttan-cane per-
feetly unsssuung but always right and always ready.
MAJOR S. ID. Baldwin, palmetto, goodhumored and
chivarous, Is the pattern Cd like qualities In tho boys.
Col j. X. Scott OF Chicago, commands the Regiment
of Zouaves. Col. 0glebie commands regiment.
Yesterday the Rev. DR.. II. ii. C|askson OF Chicago
had Divine service in camp. which yas attended by
the whole force except guards and outpostsl, and
nearly the whole town.
The commercial and travelling public will be inter-
ested in tie policy Of this command toward trade on
the river here To illustrate it will incloss To you
copy Of certain correspondence by the next mail.
WILLIAM HEMSTkEET Military Secretary.