New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-08
FROM CAIRO.

the Attack upsn Fort Henry and Pers
Dsuelson-The Gunboass-Thc seq~cl
- q Remittance from the ssush-Lssess
from Memphis-Price Of Gold In New.
Orleans Rebel Editorial --latest
from Columbus.
From Our Special Correspondent.
'''A' CAIRO, ILL.,, Monday March 3. 1862.
Mystery 10 the order Of the dny. We could an If
we would, but wo won't. SO we shake our heads
wisely, enshroud all simple things in mystery treat
all journalists as if they were fools or scoundrels,
and thus cause every description Of false and mis-
chievous reports to go forth and misead the public
Thus, while the battle at FoEt Doneson was pro-
crossing, and dozen journalists were there report
ing it, gentleman representing loyal and rsputa-
bic newspaper, who had arrived too late, remained
here for three days. trying to obtain permission to go
up and Join his colsboreB; it was steadily refused,
and only left him the alternative, which he finally
accepted, of going up in fictitious character Thus
the commander of this post-Gen. Cuom-who is
also the censor Of the telegraph, struck out OF dis
patch few days since the simple statement " The
mortar-rafts are nearly completed" which had been
published, days before, in half the journals OF the
country. Thus, while three flags of truce were sent
to Columbus last week, and reconnois-
sance Of tho gunbosts went thher yestsr.
day, strict orders have been given that
not word of information shall be impaired by the
officers sent, az to whether Columbus is evacuasing
or not; and all teegraphc reports on that subject
are based upon mere surmise. Thus Gen. Gallon
Issued positive orders that no one whatever should
accompany our officers bearing the flags Of truce,
while the Rebel boats which came up TO meet them
were crowded with spectators. Thus every unfor-
tuna,e reporter for the St. Louis or Chicago papers,
who desires to send telegram. is often subjected to
the labor of wsding through the mud an hour or two
to find Gen. Cullom, the Eliction of hearing that
commander indulge in sweeping condemnation Of the
newspapers, and tedious remnscencesof how things
were done when he was on Gen. SCOTS Staff, and
the rick Of having bis dispatch wait several hours
before he finds time to examine it.
And 20 we are all in doubt as to what is going on
at Columbus; though, to let the public know could
be of no sort Of service to the enemy. Meanwhile,
nobody seems to DO in any doubt to whether Gen.
Cuom is Fl, for bis position, Gen. Halleck either
il he gives the orders ascrbcd to him by his subord
mates here. Neither is any one in doubt as
to the character of the attempt being made to
rob the gallant Commodore Fooe Of the honors OF
originating and doing so much to execute the plan of
penetrating into the heart of the enemys country,
and giving them to Haeck Mcclellan or Buell. IL
is singular that Gen. Haleck in his official dispatches,
neglected even to mention that it was Commodore
Foote with the gunboats who took pos
session of Clarksville, Tenn, instead OF an
officer Of the army. BY the way was
wrong in imruting the positive order to Com
modors Foote, which prevented him from taking
possession OF Nashville to Mcclellan, it came from
Gen. Halleck The just need Of credit for our re-
cent victories has not been accorded to the navy.
The army did well-the rank snd file fought like
heroes. and the officers exhibited commendsble gal
lan.ry; but the arm of the service which strikes
most terror into the hearts of the Rebels is the navy
The Rebels in Johnston's army declare that they
ready to meet our land forces but that they will not
iQht against the gunboats; and our latest Southern
papers give to the gunboats the main credit for the
capture Of Henry and Donelson, Clarksville, and
even Nashville.
mentioned month ago, as Q noteworthy circum.
stance that Capt. A. 8. Baxter, the Post Quarter
master here, had received remittance of 5000 from
Georgia TO pay an old debt. II seemed to be q com.
mendable instance Of personal honor; but fidelity 10
truth compels me to add the sequel that the drafts
on St. Louis and Chicago in which the remittance
was made, prove to be worthless, and the creditor,
instead Of being plus $780, is minus 50 rs for the pro-
tests and other expenses. Capt. Baxter has now
left Cairo and il in the field with Maj Gen. Grant
W his chief Quartermaster.
One Of our officers who took down the flag Of truce
on Saturday was Capt. George ID. Wise, for many
| cta1 he Tba Pol als
were greatly surprised TO find relative of Henry A.
Wise among our officers.
Tho only paper brought back wsS The Memphis
Appeai Of Feb. %. Ii contains several advertise
ments for recruits to whom bounty of $50 each is
offered. A te'egrom from NegO Orleans states that
gold IN that city Is IN act.re demand a. q premium
of from 20 TO % per cent.
Tho leading editorial seems to be worth giving in
erteHso. II is as follows:
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
There Is tone Of candor, OF confidence and OF
determination in the Message OF the President TO
Congress which must inspire new enthusiasm In the
Southeh heart He il free 10 confess tue error OF
bs pas, policy and the extent OF the disasters that
have followed from IT, and we would believe gives
implied utnation of an Intention TO conduct the
war in future more III consonanee with The spirit ana
desire of the people, who have reposed the preterva
ton of their liber,is in his bands. There ID some
thing more sis siican, than the casual reader would
suppoae in the acknowledgment that events have
demonstrated that the Government has attempted
more than i, had the power successfully achieve,
in seeking TO protect every little exporsd point Of
orr territcry on the seaboard end the frontier.
The promise Of still greater exertions TO retrieve past
d;sastors and secure results favorable
as those which marked the earlier periods of the
war. connected with the late pressure III Congress
ON the subject OF adopting an offensive policy fur
ni.h hooe, We think, that vigorous war will soon
be- made upon the invading columns of the enemy; !
that we will "attack, pursue, and Destroy III
Stead of being attacked, pursued, and destroyed; /