New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-10
Great Strength and Armament Of the
Notifications.
WALKS AMONG THE RUINS.
TIE PANIC In WHICH THE REBELS FLED
Pillows Grand Chain Cable, and Marry
IorpedOcS.
Ercm urr speoi. Corr.sponden,.


Union floats over Columbus No more comparing
probabilities: no more pulling the brain over the
nues,ion whether the Rebel stronghold is evacuated
or not but spontaneous, umyensi rejoicing to"'
Treason driven from Kentucky, sinks down toward
the Gulf
At Cairo. on Saturday and Sunday nights we saw
The horizon in this direction bright and urid but the
distance is twenty miles, and we could only con-
lecture whether it was from fires in the woods on
the Missouri Shore or the coniagration of the Rebel
barracks and the village. General belief ssciibed
to the latter, but is based mainly upon surmlse.
An armed reconnaissance OF the gunboas, on Sum-
day. was defeated by the heavy fog, which pre-
vented il from coming near enough TO learn anything
positive Thus we were AL in the dark last night,
when il became apparent that movement was on
foot for solving the problem. Ii was prepared with
commendable secrecy; and few persons were aware
of it until after nightfal.
There is an enormous wharf-bost OF Cairo, which
was q great receptacle Of merchandise before the
war broke out. The lower story is now used for a
navy-yard, and the upper occupied by Com. Fooie
and the other officers Of the fotila. Going board
last night l found everything in lively state of
preparation. Messengers running in and out
of the damage received at Forts Henry and Donelson
--orderlies going and coming with communications
for the army oiicere-esptans of the gunboats,
Lanterns il hand, waiting for final orders-elerks at
all the desks, busy with their pens, and officers in all
the passages busy with their tongues.
An expedition, consisting OF hve iron-plated and
one wooden gunbOst, four morar-rafs, and two
regiments Of infantry, upon transpOrts-the navy
and ,ko md
fo,ces by Gems Cullom and Shsrman--was preparing
to move upon Columbus early this morning. At 10
O'Clock, Com. Foote still 80 lame that he is compelled
10 use two crutches, and Gen. Culom, who has also
been an invalid for several days, went on board the
little tug Spitfre, which acts as tender for the Gin
cinnati. In leaving the wharf-boat, we found the
ron-clad Carondelet, which was lying alongside
presenting busy scene. The finishing touche
were being given to her repairs lights moving TO AM
fro, and mechanics fastening on the lost plating
with busy hammers closing riyet' up
And giving dreadful notes OF preparation"
Reaching the tug, the naval officers who com
pelled to stay at home, came on board for momen
to express their regrets, and indulge in parting hand
shakings--the ultimate orders were gyen-;he line
was cast oh-the little SptGre, with startling
shrek, backed out from among her companions
and went shooting across the stream, toward th'
Cincinnati, which was lying near the Kentucky
shore. To escape from the cutting night wind, We
descended into her miniature cabin, which afford.
sleeping accommodations for six, and sitting room
-for three or four, and is whal, quite cosy and com
Portable. There is something essentially ludierou,
about these fiery little pocket editions Of steam
boats but they have great power, viii carry
hundred men upon an emergency, and make II nile
- fha Mt If tho irui
We steamed across the river made fact to tn
Cincinnati, ard a plank Yves thrown across, owe
which the Commodore hobbled, followed by the re;
Of the party. An elegant national flag was take
along. L" Don't forget that" said be, " fght or IL
eight, we must raise it over Columbus" Capt
Etembel escorted the nocturnal visitors on board tn
flagship, which be COMMANDS Like all the nava
officers, from Commodore Foote down, he is charac
terized by frank, unOstentatious, winning manners
affording marked contrast TO many officers Of tn,
regular army Thee representatives Of the nav,
are quiet, straightforward, unassuuiing gentlemen
and seem TO be free FROM the petty but bite
iealousies which 30 often crop out in the army
While maintaining good discipline, they gain III,
affection and respect Of their men,. Perhaps til,
cause of this lies in the very nature Of life at sea;
all events their manners simple and democratic
while among officers Of tie army there is often ;
great deal of Classifying, and little knowledge Q
or sympathy with the people.
There IRE two apartments in tie stern IF the gun
boats with 32-pounder protTucing iiom the reas O
each-the captains cabin on The staiboaGd side, Az
the ward-roon occupied by the other officers, u til,
larboard. Commodore Foote and Gen. Culom were
furnished with quarters in Capt. Stembel's cabin
while First Master D. z. IIoel conducted two Jour
nalistic friends and myself forward over tho upper
deck, down fight Of stairs to the gun.deck, theI
aft under The lammocke Of the men, Which were
swung low they compelled 10 stoop nearly TO the
floor, ard past tho engines, to the pleasant, well
lighted ward-room.
Our surnbers during the night were invaded only
by dreamy consciousness Of the balf-hour bels. Al
precisely O'Clock tbs morning, the Cincinnati be.
gan 30 move down the stream. Two hours later, the
disturbing voices Of the servants desirng to clear
the wardroom for breakfltt put an end 10 sleep On
the guu-deck the Lammocks were now invisible, and
the men were eating their breakfasts On the upper
deck we found Commodore Foote, Capt. Stembel and
che other ofcer1 Of the boat standing in The biting
air, and watching tie remainder Of the 1oi.a be-
hind u. Close i'll our wake, and following our track
in all its curves, came tic little SpiiGre Ike dog
after It's master. Further back were the iron-clad
Pttsturgb, ~. Louis, CIrondolef, and Louisyile--
low, a@;, and black-creepiug along like enormous
turtles; the Lexington, which s an old passenger
steamer converted into guuboGt, and two lr4ls.
ports, towing the mortar Tafs. Full preparations,
you Perceive for tie long-talked.of attack gnou Co.
linbus, should it Prove NECESSARY.
Seven miles above Columbus, we saw ia high