, 1862-01-11
Cape Glrardeau Matters.

CAFE G1RARDEAu, No.. Jan. 9Th, 1852
JEFF. Thompson. and his gang were at Cou1-
merce on New Years night, and burned ten
OF twelve houses, including the dwelling of
Mrs. EverEoll, who SO heroieallJ warned the
steamer ssCity Of Alton" aud thereby saved
the boat from capture. The rebels seized and
carried away her husband the same day.
Thompson was full Of boasting and declared
to the inhabitants that in three weeks he
would be strong enough to capture and burn
Cape Girnraeau and clean ont the Union
troops, It is matter Of great annoyance
that our scouts never heard Of the approaeh Of
this proHling traitor until he had stTuck his
blow. We have two companies Of cavalry
who ache to take him dead or alive.
They would Ike to get sight OF him to see
whether he can run f,ster than q MIME ball, It
is known that his butternut Missourians hare
mostly left him. His force is completely de-
1nora1ized, and hundreds Of his six months
men, whose time expired Dec. lst, hare left
him and returned to their homes, OF are
prow1ing about in the bush, robbing Union
men and burning their houses.
The reg giment commanded By the rebel Col
oncl Lowe, who was killed at the battle Of
Frcdercktown, has degcnerated into little
marauding troop of 50 or 90 house and bridge
| burners, and is now commanded By the former
| Major Kitchen. Thompson will doubtless
have some Of the Louisiana, Mississippi and
I Arkansas levies assigned to his command.
For several weeks the Provost AarshaIs
Office has been crowded with rebels fom the
southeastern part Of Missouri, who have come
in to takc the oath Of loyalty, and claim the
| benefit Of the amnesty proclaimed by GOV.
| Gamble. They profess to be heartily sick Of
| secession; many Of them formerly served IN
| der JEFF. Thompson Perhaps they only want
to get safely through the winter, and when
spring comes intend to resume their opera
| tions.
The number Of these repentant sinners can
not be less than 500, and increasing daily.
Mnrdock's and Abbey's mountcd scouts bring
In little squads Of armed rebels almost daily,
who are caught pro#ling like wolves about
the country s1bsistipg on what they 6teal.
Secession has rednced this part Ct Missouri to
a dismal condition. The wages Of sin is death.
Department, although by General Order No.
58, it was thrown into the Ionton District
but Gen. Haleck has perceived his cuor and
rectifcd it, much to our satisfaction, because
VIC would al be grieved beyond endurance
If @ wc were excluded H. from the
and occupy Memphis. Every soldle,
il camp longs fer the day when the word
to advance shall be given. Weare all heartily
sick Of this inaction. The men are asking
each other when the acar is to commence
They have been kept on the peace establish
ment, at public expense, about long enough
they think. If tie rebellion is to be. pn
down by force OF arms, VIC think il
is about time the fighting should be
: gin. If we are not to be allowed to fgh
the secesh we want to be mustered ont ant
!: sent home. We volunteered to help whip tht
traitors and save the Union, and wonld ike tt
! be set at work, for the sooner We begin tn
sooner we shall get through with the job. "
are better armed, drilled, fed, clad aud pail
than the rebels We outnnmber them also
. Then what is holding Us back? It i
whispered that the reason is the Governmen
or the Generals are afraid to let us pitch il
J least We hurt the peculiar Institution. Bu
J / were We cnlistcdto saue slavery? We thought
| | was to save the Union ne were wanted for, an
that slavery must look out for itself, and tha
!, | if it stood in the way Of the Union it must g
dswn. Perhaps am talking treason asains
; the disine institution and Will therefore sto]
} writing. BAYoSET.