, 1862-03-17
OUR CAIRO LETTER.
[From our Special Correspondent

D have sailed to-day. Eight gun-boats, eight
1ortar-boats,> and number Of transports
The tleet. Everything was IN con-
lete readiness, and the fleet WIS on the eve
i departure, when orders were received conn
the movement. At what time it
Eill take place can now only be matter Of |
conjecture. But when Flag Officer Foote'S |
lcet docs sail, you may expect to hear thrilling
lews. The Commodore has prepared himself |
or fight. He anticipates desperate battle, |
md has laid his plans accordingly.
In this connection cannot help but pay 4 !
:ribute to Com. Foote as man and an offlcer.
BE thoroughly realizes the idea Of q Christian
soldier. What Hayelock was to the English
1r7ny, Com. Footc is to the American Navy.
I have had frequent occasions to GILL upon
him, md though always finding him in the
midst Of pressing business, enough to
oyctwlelm IN ordinary man, have been insa-
riably received with the courtesy Of q gentle
man. The same courtesy and kindness OBJ
tain in his connection With all civilians, cabin
boy or captain. Thoroughly systematic IN
his business arrangements, genial and klndly
entirely devoid Of pretension, q brave soldier,
gallant gentleman and devout Christian, he
stands out in bold relief US 4 model, which
might be copied in high places, both in the
army and navy. His gunboats are the mortal
terror Of every river town in the South, and
their fears in that direction. To Commodore
Foote, and his skilltul assistants, are largely
due the splendid victories which have secured
Kentucky and Tennessee to the Onion. It
any man In the service deserves promotion it.
is he Brigadier Generals and Mljor Generals
have been readily and rapidly manufactured BY
give the nayT? The mere passage OF thanks
Il complimentary without doubt, but Com.
Foote'S distinguished and all important serVi-
ces have earned for him something more th1n
mere compliment. Justice requires and tue
public gratitude demands that some more sub
vice he has done the Republic in its sore hour
Of need.
send you the general orders issued, under
date Of December 18th, which will more readily
give the public an idea Of the character Of the
Flag Officer than any description can pen.
every vessel that sails under the STARS and
Stripes. They are as follows:
CAIRO, September IL, 1861
General Order No.1.]
leave their anchorages for he purpose Of making
d reconnaissance up and down thearivers without
orders from nc, provided al within signal dis
tarce. And in nc case in my ABSENCE viii the officer
commanding gunboat 60 mp and down the rivers
without the knowledge and concurrence Of the
General commanding The post where the vessels
CrnieIng up and down the rivera will be directed
at the proper time by proper authority. Should
the officer in command Of gnnboat have reason TO
suppose that hs may render important !; service he
with the commanding officer Of the army, IN case
their is navy officer, his senior, to direct his
movements.
Prudence combined with bravery constitute the
efficient officer. And until We have more gnnboats,
the exposure is to be commensurate with the oh.
ieet to be atansa a.o Geas eare
batteries. ANDREW Il. FoorE,
CAIRO, Dec. II, 1851.
The officers of the hotiI1a will constantly exer
cisc vigilance in tile execution Of their duties,
mtmhering TINT upon their zeal and efficiency de
The first masters will be regarded where there il
no lieutenant as executive officer, as the execu
tive officers, and viii be obcyc as such, By all OIL
GERS and men under them. =,
The orders given by the executive officers are t.
Ee considered as emanatlng directly from the CON
manders Of the gun-boate. and not from the exec
AxpREw q. FooTE,
Flag Officer Commanding .. s. Naval Forces o.
the Western Waters. ,.., tor,
General Order Nos
The officers and men connected with the Nava
F1otil1a, Will consider themselves amenable to TIL
police regulations Of the army while On shore, q
well as Cd board, 50 far az conducting thetuselve
lines. abetain1ng from all approaches to inteniper
| discipline and efficiency; that the Conmander-in
Chief will visit with the utmost r1gor OF the Law
| all who my be guilty Of the slightest degree q
| regulations and general orders, which are or ma
be prornleated, either by the Military or Nara
authorities, for the promotion Of the highest stat
rtr1Tr 1r$31F 4<1Fy1
| General order No 20, Of the Commanding Gent
ral, viii be strictly observed by all persons in tb
Fas deer Commanding g. Naval Fo1css
CA1no, December II, 1861.
General Order No. IL
The commanders Of the gunboats respcctiycl,
ready 70. action at moments warning.
Men must be exercised frequently at the gres
guns and small arms magazines frequently exam
Ret oe @sh af tie osers s at ee
all times; in fact. every preeaution taken again:
mediate service, which VIII enable the Conman
e1-in-Chief to operate against an enemy adoat. (
on shore, within fire minutes after the aotilIa
| Under wnJ.
. The commanders Of the foti1la viii, in their i
tc1nal rnlee and regulations give snch instruction
aa a s 1nS
highest confidence, from the zeal and inta]ligen
with which the ohcers generally have 1aborcd
ron viii such limited means BY attending read
| te duties of all grades, that they will soon ha
1heE respective vessels IN high B state Of nnv
Flag Officer Commanding U. S. Naval Forces
CAIRO, Deeember17, 1861
vessels in tho F1otiiIa arc required to obey stric
all Laws. orders. ru1es and regulations prom
n&rI -&@$+r1 11+-v 49, $t1 fnErv
Zea1oNs aud capable men, combining good 4
rails with desire to serve their country. ard r
dicate its: ability to sustain .unsullied its q
against enemies At home az well as abroad viii
fayo:ably noticed in the monthly reports, bJ tn
commanders. to the commander3n-Ch
Al real OF supposed grievances. which the N
e:ate hearing. through the proper channel, BY th
primary object Of the Fotina Is efficiency; poy
: pEntshing the enemy; this great object being
cured tie eomfost of the officers and men viii.
4 fsr as may be consistent with eaicienGy. be tai
W. VIZ &c, Commanding e. % s. Na2al rosces Dzs
c the Wettere Waters.
y General order No. 81 >>~''>N = - NSS'
= A strict observance Of Sunday 90 far as abeta
4 ing 1rom az unnecessary work and giving othc
ssd @ men she nj Of attending pablo
S It+ethe wish Of tbr Co:amandesln. Chief thas
h. osr1ed re sb On Board Il al he 1esfsIs eonpos
n The F!oti1aa :: and that the respective command
"a viii, either themselves: Or cause other persons
many of the Officers and mcn as can be spared fl
q envy, may attend the public worship Of Alnais
n Profarc swearing being forbidden By the lawz
r the tettct government Of the navy, ali officers
-. ~ cu viii strictly observe this law; and every
~ ctr wEo uses p.o+anc language towards the mel
!. c5r1t1s OIL daty, viii be ataerahle for such e
lp | ria!o$}Qn of law and order,
y Mseipline to be: permanent must be based
II EIow good example in morais, order and patI
= = ism to secure these qualities in the men
Flag oeez copmanains I: s. Esrsl t5.ees neSs &
IN In comu:lnder L. NJ. Pennock, Fleet G
tain, the Flag Officer finds most admirs
he secend- Uniformly courteous, and iudefat
4 bly, Industrious, he is the com1nodore's q
IT. sao- He has been unti1ing in his efforts
nd NOW tas the proud satisfaction Of seeing
X 1aboYs crowned with success. To him
n" country owes large debt ot gratitude for
nc patriotic ehdeayors, and therpeople of
I'LL West espe eially may congratulate themse,
Ae that the supesintcndencc Of the feet is
tat such cuinent1y practical, skillfu1 and +
ey lG.Eds.
ra IMPORTANT NEWS FROM sECEss1A.
ne ,se From late rebel papers received her
s!s gather some very interesting and import
s1ss items Of intelligence: The Memphis III
~ ~ Ct the Sth inst contains leader savagely
ne M rating Mr.. Bepjamin. the late rebel S5ere
g, Of f.War, and attribu'ing to his mIsulanagen
hs ~, and inefficiency the reverses to their arm
~ Tennessee. Mr. BeDjamin, however, is
ag the only victim Of Southern wrath JeH q
VI n himse'f is accused of attempting to IA
y. upon tic chivalrS the permanent governu
!. ~ ~ Of the old cabinet. The provisional adm
' .er tration is denounced in the. b}tterest t.
:er- sna ftR leaders are advised fn 1esve pa
The 11nco - yhn EnoT hoE - oon;1uct It. ~;
,cF~ .tN~ AAAo " ~" ~ LAASSe ~ 49,.