, 1862-04-02

Department is anxious to have everything in
the way Of improvement Of lron-clad ships
fully tested.
WAsu1sGroN, April The great western
tions between Baltimore, Wheeling and Park.
ersburgh, and will connect at BanTood with
western roads as formerly
FROM THE MISSISSIPPI. :
Col. Buford Takes Union City.
CUR FORCES CLOSING IN AROUND
ISLAND NO. 10.
The Situation at the Island.
DESPERATE BATTLE PREDICTED.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune1
CAIRO, april !, 1852.
AdTices from Hickman, dated yesterday,
say that Col. Buford, Of the 9th Illinois, &c
companicd by his own regiment, the 42d Till
nois, douglas BriYade), Lieut.. Col. Roberts
commanding, and 400 OF the 18th Wisconsin,
Col. Heg, (Scandinayian,) } all from leland No.
10, and two companies Of the I'd Illinois Cay
airy, under Col Hogg, and detachment of
artillery, the last two from Hickman, made
reconnaissance III force and descent upon
Union City, 20 miles from this place, and after
forced march Of Fl hours, to-day surprised q
large force of rebel cavalry and Infantry under
the notorious Clay King. Our cavalry dashed
into the place at Z furious rate. The utmost
CONSERVATION seized the rebels, and they lied
helter-skelter in every direction. Several Of
them were killed and about 100 taken prison
crs. One hundred and flfty horses were cap
turcd, with large amount Of forage and
spolls and several secession flags.
Our forces returned to Hickman after de-
stroying the tents and other property they
could not carry away. The ront was com
plete in every respect, and cuts OFF an impor-
tant rebel communication.
Union City has been long the rendezvous Of
rebel spies. The nest is now cfactual1y
broken up.
One Of our men was killed by the explosion
ola gun in burning tent.
| The rebel forces numbered 700 infantry and
between 700 and 500 cavalry. So unpreparcd
were they, and so unsuspicious Of attack, that
| when the alarm was given they we're lcisurely
! ealing their breakfast. This was incontinent-
II abandoned and they ran for train Of cars
standing on the track near their encampment,
| and mostly escaped. Col. Buford burned the
remaining cars and the booty he could not
conveniently carry with lin, and returned
| TO Hickman.
| Parties who accompanied the expedition say
that lad it been properly planned and cxecu-
| ted, every rebel would have been captured.
The steamer Polar Star has justarriyed from
Hickman with three hundred hogshcals Of
sugar and five hundred barrels Of molasscs, be-
| longing TO Union citizens there.
SOUTHERN NEWS VIA CAIRO.
| Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Trioune.1
| CAIRO, April 1, 1862.
F. B. Wilk1c of the New York Ti,:ex, who
accompanied the expedition to Union City,
returned this evening with copies Of tic Mem
phis Apreaz Of the eth, and the Charleston
Mercury Of the 22d, from which, condcnse the
| following intelligence:
| President Davis, in secret session, had ad-
yised the Confederate Congress that the pris-
oncrs released by the Yankee Government On
parole be absolyed from their oath, aud allow
cd to take part in the approaching struggle
for Independence. He urged it as retaliation
for the 4'inGamous and reckless breach Of faith
exhibited by Ar: Lincoln il the exchange ol
prisoners
. Attempts are being m.de to raise troops By
i coEscri;,tIo1i EtsstSSs :.r7t conlpositors are
not to he enrolled except for local duty.
| The New Orleans Dz}ta CT the 2Gth, referring
10 the gallantry exhibited by Capt Rucker in
defense Of his battery at Island No. 10, SAYS
| that one single battery las thus far sustained
tue brunt Of the bombardmcnt, rcpulsing tht
Federal gunboats and sending one Of then
back to Cairo crippled for repairs.
The appeal says the recent reycrscs of tht
Confederate army are nerying them with good
Faith, confidence, aud hope, and that it enter
tails no doubt Of ultimate success; also, tina
Generals Van Dorm and JEFF. Thompson arr
concentrating large forces at Pocahontas, Al
kansas, preparatory to an attack upon ths
Federals at New Madrid, and that Genera
Pope will be compelled to cyacuatc. NJ
damage had been done Island No. 10 up II
Wednesday, but the Confelcratcs had sunl
two Federal gunboats. The werks at For
Pillow were completed. General Pope wa
l,nilding tiat-boats at New Madrid to traaspor
lis troops across the river to the Tennessee
shore.
In Mississippi planters were pIling up thei
cotton, for fire and faggot.
General Pillow has gone to Richmond.
A dispatch from New Orleans, dated Marcel
2Cth, states that the Confederate steamer Van
dcrbilt had foundercd at sea with ill o,
board.
The Appea, is issued On 4 half sheet
The Mercury, in view Of the scarcity 0
lead, suggests that the Innings OF tea chest
be melted and run into bullets. Tic ladies' o
Charleston are contributing jewels, sllye
spoons, watches and money to build gun
boat to be called the ladies gunboat.
The Mercury and appeal contain extcnsiy
extracts from Northern papers, but no impor
tant military news.
O'clock p. m.-The gunboat Conestog
arrived from Island No. 10 this evening, AMI
! 1cports,no change in affairs there. The MOI
tars FIRE every half hour, elciting no Te
sponse,
The rebel mail, captured yesterday at Unio1
City, contained letters from Confederat
troops at the Island, representing the force
there as being dishcartened and dispirited.
We have nothing from General Grant
column.
The river is falling.
To-day forty or fifty soldiers came int
Hickman and gave up their AIMS, and dc
sired to return to their allegiance and join til
Federal army. They were portion Of tho5
who escaped from Union City yesterday
| Thar ra-,cr+ that 1nrtrn 1trr,hpva nf rain