, 1862-03-15
The Gunboat Expedition that did not
Leave Calro---RepoTts from New
Madrid aud island No. 10.
Correspondence OF the ST. Louis Dcmoc1at.1
CAIRO, Wednesday evening" March 1ath

To day was the day set apart by the Journal
lists for the departure Of the gun and mortar
boat expedition against Island No. 10. To-
day, also, Commodore Footc and his fotilla
were in readiness. This afternoon the word
was passed along among the correspondents, 1a;,
point, that the feet was expected to
Start every moment, and TINT all must
be aboard. Captain Pennock, with his
usual kindness, provided our passages, some
taking the transports which have been desig-
mated to tow the mortar boats, few going on
tho gunboats, and others on the coal and am
munition boats. After a patient whiting Of
some two OF three hours, the word came that
the Commodore had received orders not to
Fail until further instructions, and behold!
the reportarial corps once more upon land
and hunting the corridors Of the far-famed
st. Charles Hotel OF Cairo. When VIC shall
again be ordered on board, outsiders canuot
determine. The postponemeut is understood
to have been ordered for the purpose OF ena-
bling certain land force to cooperate more
thoroughly with the navy, and make Island
No. 10, and all appertainiog thereto COM
plcte success, or q, sure th1pg.' This may
or may not be the reason. Tomorrow will
throw some light on the subject. The feet is
ready to sail at two hours notice.
i messenger arrived this evening from New
Madrid, having left there this morning at four
o'clock. From him ne obtain some interest
ing intelligence concerning the condition OF
thiLs at TINT important point. On JESTER
day he was inside the rebel fort, which lies
is now estimated at II COO all Of whom are
pretty well armed and iu good fighting condi-
ton JEFF. Thompson is there, but not in COM
! mand. The commander name my informant
could not remember. He talked freely with
the men, aud says they are much dispirited; !;
so much so, that it has given great des1 Of
uneasiness to their leaders. The leaders and
| the newspapers talk loudly and with the usual
braegadocio, but the soldiers and the mass Of
| the people are much discouraged at the pros
Madrid they had heard OF the evacuation Of
Manassas, and seemed to feel that their last
| hope Was gone
| The messenger tells me that the rebel gun
| boats are still lying off the town, preventing
| tbeapproacb of ofGeneralPo Pope's troops Between
communication, and on yesterday five heavily
laden boats came down from the island and
| stopped at the wharf No troops could be
seen on board Of them, and it was conjectuned
that their freight consisted Of cannon which
they are bringing away from No. 70. My in.
formant thinks they have no confidence at all
in their defenses at No. 10, and that theit
only concern Is how to save their sixty
pieces OF cannon, and bring of their
troops before the gunboats come upon them.
The occupation Of Point Pleasant by about
five thousand Of General Pope's men, and the
erection there Of formidable battery Of guns,
which VIII be strengthened IN d.y or two By
some three OF four etpounders, cuts of com
muDieasion from below entirely. They mag
attempt to run the point, but they can
not do it without suffering terrible loss
es. The only escape left loz their armJ
is by land on the Kentucky shore and
that ahore, just nov, Is almost impossible
the great Ob;on cypress swamp, which begin,
Just 1T the head Of Island No. 10 and sweeps
down the river for number OF miles, Is nov
under water A few days longer and Bishop
Pelk's Columbus army will be bagged as com
pIetely as was the Fort DoneIson army.
Gen. Pope still occupies the ridges in TIL
rear Of New Madrid, his army incon7eniencei
a great deal by the want Of good water, bu
The boys are in good health and high spirits a
the prospects before them.
The road from the railway terminus =
sikestown to Pope's camp has :heen put i,
good order by Col Bissclrs Engineer Regi
ment. All the rails along .hs route for abou
eighteen miles were appropriated md vii
The help Of 5 little dir an excellent eorduso
transportation teams get aloag very COZ
fortably. : II p.