, 1862-03-07
FROM CAIRO.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune
CAIRO, March s. 1862.

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribnne1
CAIRO, March s, 1862
At T. o'clock Wednesday last our pickets
were driven in at Columbus By rebel cavalry
numbering 50. Capt. Paulding, of the gun
boat st. Louis, lying at the landing, sent
messenger to Col Buford asking If he should
shell the woods in the rear of the town, and
having returned with an affirmative answer,
the st. Louis steamed across the river, the
mortar boats took position and she1led
the woods vigorously for an hour.
The Second Illinois eavalry was at Lust ac-
counts in hot pursuit Of the rebels.
At u o'clock last night, and again at 1
O'Clock this morning, heavy cannonading was
distinctly heard at Columbus apparently in
the direction Of New Madrid.
Many Of the inha bitants Of Columbus are
returning, who report they left the town weeks
ago in the fear Of depredations OF the rebel
army. The Rev. Gen. Polk's headquarters
upon the Bluff present IN interesting specta-
Gle, being filed with champagne bottles, cigar
boxes, perfumery cases, toilet articles, and
othtr unmilitary utensils.
Col. Buford still remains in command of the
town.
Adjutant Hahn Of the 5Srd Illinois passed
through here last evening en- route for Chicago.
The mortars Of The feet arc all mounted.
The Cumberland and Tennessee rivers arc
now, in pursuance Of Gen. Halleck's orders,
open for commercial navigation. The Expresss
is tile first boat to avail itself Of the new order
and left last night for Fort Henry with passen-
gers and freight.
gentleman just arrived from Florence,
Alabama, says the rebels Of that section stand
In mortal terror Of the gnnboats. He asserts
there were but two regiments at Pittsburg
when tie late ekirnlish took place. sbfany
OF the people thereabouts arc strong Union
men.
The reports in regard to Gen. Pope and his
force arc very conflicting. The first is a
rumor Of tllc evacuation Of New Madrid; Sec
ord, that our forces had been she1led out by
rebel gunboats; and third, that Gen. Pope
had not been within eighteen miles of the
place. The rebel army there numbers e, 900
men, having been swe1lcd by large reinforce
ments from Columbus and Memphis. They
have also eight wooden gunboats lying ut tic
landing. Steamers are rapidly arriving and
departing.
The weather is very cold here, and there
was quite heavy fall Of SNOW last night.
From late rebel papers, glcan the follow
ing facts: Gen. Polk, previous to the eyacu-
alton Of Columbus, ordered every bridge On
Mayfeld Greek, and other creeks, to be de-
stzoyed.
Tie Memphis appeal says: Columbus, we
can positively state, is not to be evacuated,
and will not be unless at the point Of TIC
bayonet''
The steamer Cambridge sunk Oh the 2sd
near Grand Giaize, Ark, and forly-tEo lives
were lost. Heavy rains have fallen III South
Alabama.
The machinery from the various work shops
in Nashville was removed prior to the eracu-
alton, to Chattanooga. The wheat, and all
growing crops in the South, premises well.
Gen. Bragg i II command at Mobile.
The people Of the South are warmly urging
and demanding JEFF. Davis to take the field.
A bitter contest is going on at Memphis as
to whether the town shall be burned at the
approach Of our gnnboats
a letter written to Memphis from Virginia
states that JEFF. Davis complains Of lack Of
weapons, and that Southern manufacturers
cannot even supply the waste.