New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-22


III pleasant than Cairo has resumed something Of its
wonted air; some Of the citizens have returned and
"A few Of the shops are again open. Lying upon the
bank are 20 or 30 oast-ron "pots," two feet IN
length, which have been taken from the river. They
formed submarine battery, to be exploded BY cleo
tricity. The wire, with tarred RIPE which com.
nuncaed with them, has been c,at TO pieces and dis
tributed among our soldiers, Tho ground for more
than mile from the buff contained miues, which
wcte alec TO be exploded in the same way.
The Benton il the queen of our gunboats feet
in length - broad, and carries quite little COM
nunity of $40 men, While we were lying at Column
bus, they were exercised at the guns, and went
through their evolutions very promptly and credit
ably Nearly half of them have had experience
UPON men-ofwar and to be in their native eie'
ment The remainder were taken from the army,
bat are rapidly acquiring dill.
We found one or two gunboats awaiting US at Co.
lumbus, and also covered ilsboat, tied up to the
shore, upon which two women were dispensing, pes
eggs coffee, butter aud some other commodities, to
the citizens and soldiers--Venus following in the
wake of Mars. At last tue RATS came in sight low
and Fat Ike Pittsburgh coal-boas, with plate ron
lnwark5 four or i've feet hgh rising On all sides OF
them, and the enormous mortars turning up their
cap!ng mouths in the center. They came in pairs,
fanked on each side bya sie-wbeel freight steamer,
employed in towing them. They were followed by
several ammunition fats long, low, rooted scow,
converted into floating blacksmith shop for the
aeet, and two or three transports for tie infantry
Tie 9th Illinois and part Of the 18th Wisconsin
known as the Scandinavian Regiment were taken
upon the transports, aud at ?. N the hotilla moved
down the river
ARRIVAL At HICKMAN.
Ref,re dark. we came in sight Of Hickman, ny
a pleasant well-built town OF 2,ooo peopi'' "'''
substantial brick blocks ON the levee, an enormous
tobacco warehouse, and inviting residences, win
no,tcos and shade trees, up the short blum when
overlooks the river The appearance OF the notnis
Granted great sensaton. All the buildings seemed
NJ once to discharge their population into the open
air. men women. and children were hurrying to
and fro collecting in groups, and horsemen g4ioping
over the distant hills. Capt Phelps was here WIN
the Copes;oes in August, and found Rebel nag
living. but now no ensign Of any kind WAS visible.
Our first welcome was from cottage on the NIL
aide where all the occupants, male and femae aau''
and juvenile white and negro, rushed OUT upon tno
yerandah and waved handkerchieis, pillow cases,
table cloths and other improvsed white hags, IN the
mo.t exuberant delight. Then the ladies' from sew
erl Of the other houses began to iulter TIER hand
kerchieis-some very promptly and earnestly, Others
vaiting iii il became evident that white flags were
the fashion Of the day. And a. the Benton dropped
down directly in front Of the town, scrutnizlng 1t,
with the five black ominous eyes that peered out
from her stnrbosri caaemates tho men and boys upon
the bank emusted their example, and joined in the
dirplay of pocket flags OF truce. The eanbosts
rounded to and made iast 10 the shore.
REBEL scoCTS--LOCONoTYE TIRED INTO.
Upon a hiQh bill three-four,hs Of mile below us,
we could see half dozen we-mounted horsemen.
On scrurinzing them with our glasses. Il was EVIL
dent from their dress and mode of sitting upon their
holees that they were not merely country men bnt
had been subjected 10 dnll. They stared # ia with
IA much curiosity as we felt toward them, aud were
evidently Rebel scouts waiting 20 lake the latest
news OF Us to Union City. Two of our infa:.try
eonpanea landed and marched at : double quick
around the hill to take them 10 The rear, but the
scouts snuned the alarm and gallcpsd away.
\
Tenn. fourteen nies distant. The engineer did
not observe our infantry, who we've near The road
and was unspec'ingy approaching the depot when
the telegraph operator who evacuated bis Office and
waised away with bis Instruments under hs arm
ut. before The gun-boats minded, met him aud sig
nailed him to siop. Upon learning that orr troops
held the turn, he immediately reversed his engine
aud commenced backing. The soldiers fred few
shots at him, but did not disable the engine and be
made his esca1e. When the Rebels evacuated
Columbus, they ,5ok all tie rolling stock of this
roal. except Il single locomotive 10 the Mobile and
Ohio line.
THF PEOPLE OF HICKMAN
received NJ cordially and kindly; none expressed
Rebel sentiments with their tongues, though some
did with their eyes. Several told Vi that the Union
feeling was predominant; but any town is likely to
e loval. wien half dozen Union gunboa,s are
Wing oerae IL. Bat when men who have main
tanned thalr fidelity 10 ths Union through pelsecu-
ton and imprisonment r.ade the same statement IL
seemed worthy Of credence. Among the leading
citizens who received Us ioyfuy, were Mr.. Park,
Mayor Of the city, and Judge Davis of the Municipal
Court. Bolh these gentlemen, for refusing the oath
of allegiance TO tho Southern Confederacy, were
dragged from their beds a. night, subjected 20 much
indgnity and suffering, carried 70 Memphis, and
kept in prison tuere for four weeks. They only
returned home Il few days ago. Did they take
the oath fualiy ?" asked Of Union citizen
who Wa relating tie facts TO me. 30 yes
il Was their only hope Of release. Their families
We're suffering great anxiety; and as there was no
other means Of ohb.iuing freedom, they took the
enforced oath, just rs they would have sworn black
VIVA whi,e or nnNIhinc else under Tie ,ircum.