Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-04-29
FROM CAIRO.

TAs /pproaehin1 Battle at Pttts5urQ-TAe
F,sstst TN ths OHIO and dMiSstsstppt-First
Shipmsnt of Cotton up tts Mississipyt
sines the Commencement of Eostiiitiss.
Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Times ]
CAIao, April % Steamers arrive daily from
up the Tennessee, but bring nothing Of import
ance respecting the state Of affairs at Pittsburg
Last week every one here and elsewhere through
the North believed that we were on the eve Of a
decisive battle, and, though there rested entire
thousands were trembling with anxiety az to the
fate Of friends and relatives In our vast force.
The great trial was assuredlv near at hand, vet
there were few that doubted the result Our
forces were indeed scattered, frightfully dimin-
ished, but the remaining troops were esger and
prepared.
When Gen. Halleck went to Pittsburg he found
all In confusion, regiments without commanders,
companies scattered, and everything in that dis.
order which the dreadful battle OF the 9th and 7th
only could have caused. Yet he had met a SINH
lar confusion on one previous occasion-wheD,
upon assuming command of the Department OF
the w est, he found all the affairs pertaining TO
his command in an inextricable taugle. He was
equal 10 the task, and, throwing all hiE mastery
speedily reorganized and reanimated The whole
OF Buelrs army, excepting only Mitchen's col
umn, was transported across the river Lew.
Wallace's command was concentrated, and every
division, brigade, regiment and company were
| arranged under their respective comma nders
The wounded and sick, OF whom there were still
present great number, were sent TO the military
hospitals, and all hangers-on were ordered away.
This done siege guns were hauled to the frelt,
and then commenced a systematic and gradual
advance Of our pickets Aud then came the rain
producing Troublesome depth OF mud, and rem
dering an advance or an attack simply impossi-
ble. Our army was thoroughly prepared 10 now
prepared, but the mud continues, ahd 10 the only
obstacle General Halleck has to contend with. II
Is unfortunate for our side, for every hours del y
affords the enemy time toNoring up their rein
fDrcenents Forced h0fn q
thrOu2 bout Mississip pp, and the whole Population
around CoIinth are focking to the standard OF
Beauregdrd.
The fever Of excitement under which Cairo was
lately plunged by the rapid ardI unprecedented
rise Of water in the river has at length subsided
The apprehension that the water would rise still
higher and sweep awav the levee has nearly, II
not quite, been alayed by the gradual and stimuli.
tsneOus fall Of both the Ohio and the Mississippi
1 am informed, however. that the worst is not
yet passed and that there Is still greater cause for
fear tnan before. river captain who came
down from Pittsburg yesterday told Ine that The
Tennessee rose fifteen feet on Sunday night II
this Information be true, there 10 little dOubt tha
the hood down the Tennessee will cause an &c ual
freshet In the Ohio. No one can calculate the
Immense damage that would ensue The Gov
eminent wharf boats that are stationed here, and
nlled with large Quantities Of ordnance and com
missarY stores, would be wrecked by the food
while the town ITSELF 10 the event OF the break.
Ing OF the leyee, would be entirely under water
The steamer Hiawatha passed this place to
day, bound for Alton, and having on board
number Of prisoners captured at Piitsburg. The
captives were guarded by detachment of the
23t Missouri Infantry Among the prisoner:
were several captains Of Alabama aud MissiSsipp
1 troops.
The government dispatch-steamer De Soto
4 which arrived this morning from Fort Pillow
broug at 300 bales Of cottcn taken at Osceoia by
| detachment Of our land forces attached TO Com
modore Foote'S fotilla. This 10 an interesting
bit OF intelligence the more so from the fact tha
the above shipment Of cotton Ia the frst sent uI
| the river since the commencement Of hostIlities
Other quantities will be sent 70 this place. The
region about Fort Pillow is a very extensive cot.
ton district, and Fulton, the small town Just be
low the rebel Notifications, has long been known
| as heavy cotton shipping port