The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-03-31
FROM Tennessee.
Chicago, March %.

Chicago, March 20.
A special dispatch dated Cairo, 98th,
says that . gentleman returned here this
morning from Pittsburg and Savannah,
on the Tennessee river, and reports that
on Sunday and Monday last Gen. Sher-
man made q reconnaissance in force to
Pea Ridge, near the line of the Mobile
/. 4 Ohio X. R., where, it had been reported,
tue rebels were terrifying, The recon-
noissance was complete in every particu-
lar. No enemy wag found, however, in
the neighborhood. The expedition re-
turned to Piusburg on Tuesday. Our
forces 1t Pittsburg are being rapidly aug
menscd, steamer sitter steamer arriving
continually, laden with fresh troops.
The latest advices from the rebel camp
at Corinth, give the strength of the force
there at 10000. Recent indications
relative to the persistent efforts of the reb-
els to fortify the town Of Corinlh, would
seem to demonstrate an intention to make
vigorous resistance. It is however the
general belief Of all prominent officers Of
Gen. Grants command that the rebels
will retreat on our approach, but should a
battle occur at Corinth, it will doubtless
be ore of the hardest fought and bloodiest
affairs of the present war.
On Sunday last information was re-
ceived at Gen. Grants headquarters that
a considerable amount of pork was stored
at point on the river called Nicholas
Landing, sixty miles south Of Savannah.
Major Smith, of the 10th Illinois, with
one hundred and fifty infantry, and Capt.
Osband's company, of the 4th Illinois
Cavalry, were dispatched on steamer to
secure said property. Arriving at Mich
olas' Landing, information was given by
contrabands concerning the locality of the
pork in question. Within a circuit of
fifteen miles, $4,000 pounds of fresh pork
and a, 900 pounds of cured hams, shout
ders, ETC., were discovered and confsca-
ted, and placed on the steamer, brought
to Savannah, and turned over to the CON-
missary department. Nicholas Landing
and vicinity has been the mart of the pork
business for the G. s. A. for long time.
Immense quantities have been brought
aud stored there for the use Of the Con-
federate army trade. II the information
had arrived two weeks earlier it would
have secured to us UPWARDS Of two hun
bred thousand pounds Of meat. Within
that time the rebels have transported
large quantities southwark by teams.
On Monday the gun boat Tyler ran up
the river to the vicinity of Eastport, near
which point masked battery opened up
On them ut the distance of 200 yards,
one sho, striking the smoke stack Of the
Tyler. A number Of shots were ex-
changed, with what effect ON th encnfy's
works is unknown. The engagement
was spirited while it lasted, upwards Of
fifty shots being fired. The Tyler re-
ceiyed NO other injuries Nobody was
hurt.
Captains Bedard and Carson, of Gen
Smiths scouts, returned to Savannah from
Nashville, overland, on Tuesday night, as
bearers of dispatches from Gen. BUELL.
Gems. Morton's, Thomas's and McCook's
divisions of Buell's column reached Duck
Greek on Sunday night last. Capt. Be-
dard reports strong loyal sentiment in
several districts of Tennessee. Between
Columbia and Savannah they overlook
certain bands of marauding rebels. but
their identity not being suspected they
were allowed to pass unmolested. Union
men live in extreme fear Of these maraud-
es, providing about in the vicinity. and
are anxious for the approach Of the gov
eminent troops. A man named Morris,
one of the Jessie scouts, was hung at So
vannah on Sunday. for horse stealing
thereabouts.
Gen. Grant has entirely recovered from
his recent illness Gen. Smith is still
confined at his head quarters, but is con-
| valescento
A steamer arrived from the fotilla early
this morning, reports no change in the
condition of affairs at Island No. 10. The
bombardment continues With but little in
Permission, but the results are not known.
There are no signs Of evacuation by the
rebels. Rumors we're current that the
rebel gun boats had passed Prices bat
teries at Point Pleasant, from below. but
they can be traced to no reliable source.
The story is undoubtedly canard.
The rebels are impressing men of Ken
lucky and Tennessee into their service,
and arming them with axes and pixies
Four rebels armed with Arkansas tooth.
picks we're arrested near Charleston yes
teFdsy, and brought to Birds Point
They claim to be refugees from Tennes-
see, but their story is disbelieved. They
remain in close custody. Gen. Strong
visited the Island to-day.