The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-12

SPECIAL REPORT To THE NEW YORK HERALD
&e., &c., &c.
Orr RANDOLPH, Tenn, June 9, 1862.

Orr RANDOLPH, Tenn, June 8, 1862.
For, Pillow, the third fortified point on the siisss-
sppi river, as descend that stream from Cairo has
yielded to the advance Of tho Union arms. Retiring
from Columbus in February last the rebels halted
Island No 10, and for tino stayed progress to-
ward the Gulf simultaneously with the battle Pitts
burg Landing this second stronghold TAKEN and the
insurgeut forces fell back to the first Chickasaw Bluffs
nearly hundred miles below, and completed powerful
works already begun and known the world Fort
Pillow On the 4th OF juno this fortress evacuated
and the grand highway OF the great valley OF the West
was again open from ST. louis TO Memphis after four
teen months blockade
srsuxu OF AFFAIRS BEFORE THE roRr.
For upwards Of eight weeks the Union feet has been
sationod in the river short distance above Fort PHI
low. anxiously waiting proptious moment for moving
upon the ensmy's works On the 10th Of May II at
tackled by the enemys boats, and for an hour waged
with II nearly equal contest. The latter then
driven back after suffering considerable damage but
mot however until they had inflicted serious injuries upon
eur own craft Affairs then assumed quesccnt state,
and another month passed In illeness, with an
almost daily that the position below was being
evacuatsd. On Sunday, June 1, . desertsr came from
The fort and stated that the upper battery was being
d,smanted and that the land pieces were preparing
move away. II currently believed in the that
the destruction would be completed by Sunday evening
and that tho whole garrison would leave by their trans
ports under Of the night. The story was gene
rally credited throughout tho fleet, and Commodore
Davis prepared to fall upon the OF the retreatng
rebels and take immediate possession Of the works.
MONDAYS WORK.
un Monday q reconnaissance wss made by one OF the
tugs TO within short distance Of the fort but though
no shots were nrsd, It thought that considerable
force was s in possession and prepared dispute any
advance that might bo made against g. After spending
few minutes front Of the fort the tug returned and
reported the result observations. The day was
passed by those board the feet in gazing at the grim
ellis and wondering whom they could set foot upon the
promised land Night came and the boats were their
old positions the transports and mortar floats tied up to
the river bank in front Of Oscsolaa small mosquito
haunt Cd town The Arkansas shorc-whils the gun
boats anchored in tho middle OF the stream. All on
board waited anxousy during the night TO catch the
irs sound OF explosions that expected ~ prslim
nary 70 an evacuation Of the fort
4 REcoSSorsAxcn AND sxmxisu.
On Tassday, the sd inst, the morning breke with
clear sxy and promised fair weather for the days ope
rations n any should take place. The forenoon passed
away In quiet, and the entire day promised bs
barren Of incidents the two weeks preceding In the
afternoon three OF the rams sent down to recon.
ae,,rs aud nearing the fort fred into BY the
rebel gunDoats Iney then rotufned ana IN ABOUT an
hour time were followed BY the rebel boat Je Themp-
son The latter passed around craighcad Point and
came speedily within range OF the Cairo, the foremost
boat cf the Union lset. Six or eght shots were
arsd at the Jen Thompson, sciting no reply
from the latter which turned and went back to
the fort Observations made by tho rams convinced
Commodore Davis thai the fort was nearly but not quite
ds,ersd Tuesday night Ike s predecessor, was passed
IN listening for explosions. but not sound heard.
the only disturbance during the hours Of darkness waa
caused By the myrads Of mosquitoes that swarmsd In
from the Arkansas swamps, presenting their bills with an
inter disregard Of the absence Of funds In ths confeds-
racy.
On Wednesday another reconnaissance was made in the
direction u the fort to decide the great question Of the
evacuation II was NOT until afternoon that the cxped
tlon--a single tugsarted for the snsmys works. Al
dark returned and reported that the svi-
IDENTIFY evacuated nearly so. As II then too late
70 roach the fort until long alter nghtfa the movement
was delayed tll morning About seven O'Clock r NJ Two