, 1862-02-12

Peo2lc HAxt tf2c Old Flag rs = De-
i1ycrer.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tz5bure.1
FORT EESET, Tenn, February 10, 1884,
VIA CA.1so, midnight, 18th. |
The gunboats Lcxington Concstoga and Tay-
lor, which weEt up the river Immediately after
The Surrender Of Fort EenrE, hare returned.
After the taking Of the Fort, they gave chase
to the rebel steamer Dunbar. Reaching the
bridge Of the MeEaphis, C:arksvi1le aud Louis
Vile railroad, which crosses this river 23 miles
above, oar boats set fire to 9 portion Of it,
on i'll skase Of the Dunbar, but did not over
take her. 1t is supposed she ESCAPED by run
ming up some creek in the night.
Our gunboats went Is far as Florence, Ala
ba1na, the head Of navigation for large steam
eTs being abaut $50 miles from Pa1ucal. Ey-
erywhcre along the river they were received
with astonishing welcome by the numerous
Union families in southern Tennessee and
northern Alabama, and at the 1i55tlc towns
alsng the river tho old FLAIR was looked upon
a6 4 redcemcr,. and hailed with shouts OF
joy, as an earnest to show that the senti-
ment was genuine. Capt. Gwin Of the
Taylor recruited thirty men for service
on tie. gunboats, and says he can get as
many more recruit as would man. the whole
fleet These people have suffered much
from the oppression Eeaped upon them by the
vil1anous usurpations Of these rebel v:lndats.
There are now in Tennessee, Mississippi and
Alabama, through ill Of which States our gun
boats have now passed, better Union men by
half than generally are found alcng the Ohio
river. Many Of the people at Florence were
so delighted at finding the Stars and Stripes
once more Interpretation that they proposed
to give 4 ball to The officers Of Tho gunboats !:
bnt as they were under orders, they could not
remain to accept their courtesies. Wherever
our bouts landed, the people, after the first
fright, and when they became assured that the
suuboats did not come to destroy, but to save,
seemed to have no means too extravasaant to
express their delight and joy.
Tile rebels burnt all the steamers on tile riy-
cr they could tiEd- Among those burned arc
The steamers Lynn Boyd, Sam Orr, Smith,
Time, Sam Kirkman, Appleton and Belle.
Our gunboats captured three OF their steam
crs, one Of which, the Eastport, was being
bailt for guaboat, and not quite finished.
| The rebels tried to scuttle her, but had not
time enough to succeed She was taken at
| Savannah, Tenn, and he'd on board J. large
quantity of platc-iron for her completion.
Capt. Gwin says she will make splendid
t eunboat, aad has thealSantage Of speed. The
t!other boats taken were named Sally Woods
| and the M1scle, the latter being loaded with
! cumbersome !, 600 feet.
An encampment Of some COO men under Col
| Crews, which was recruiting g short distance
back OF the town Ct Savannah, learning Of OH
| gunboats having passed Up to Florence, i'm
| mcdiataly dispersed. Our officers not beins
aware Of the existence Of this eacampmen
when passing up, stopped there on their re
turn, and Captain Gxin, with 160 men
| detachnents from the three gunboats
accompanied by Lie1tenant Conday Shir6
with another officer, marched ou
to tho encampment which, finding abandoned
they set fire to. They caI.tured large quau
t;tv Of Qnartermnster's and Comaissar
stores, and $50 stand Of arms. The provision
we're distributed among tile destitute Unio
1ucn, as was done at several other point
where eommissary stores were taken
| Calicoes arc worth one dollar per yard, an
whisky $3.50 per quart. There is consider:
bic suffering among the population.
Upon the next visit Of the gunhoats the
will take on more recruits 70, the other boat
One boat goes up the river this morHIngg.
Gel. 4. H MARYLAND has been appointe
/ Military Postal Director for this wing Of Il
Western Department. by Gen Grant
| Sc ha
| drying.