Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-04-26
OUR SPECIAL CAIRO DISPATCHES.
RumOrS OF Fighting at Pitts
burg!
THEY PROVE TO BE URFOUMDED !
HOSPITAL BOATS FIRED on /!
They Will Carry Cannon Here.
after.
Arrival from Island No. 10.
The Great Mississippi Flood.
LATEST FROM FORT Pillow
COMMODORE FOOTE'S WOUNDI
HOSPITAL BOATS FIRED on /!
The Great Mississippi Flood.
LATEST FROM FORT PILLOW |
OOMMODORE FOOTE'S WOUNDl
BE Asks to be Relieved!
His Request Partly Granted /!

Special Dispatches to the Cleveland Leader.
CAIRO, April 25.
There is painful rumOr afoat TO day that
fighting has commenced to-day at Pitts.
burg. Upon investigation, I find it Origina-
ted as follows: The Captain Of TIM steamer
Belle Of Memphis, when about twenty miles
below Pittsburg yesterday morning, heard
continuous and heavy csnnonsding in that
quarter, apparently from forty heavy guns,
and so continued as long as she remained
within hearing distance. 1 give the rumor
for what it tis worth. Upon enquiry at head
quarters, found the rumor disbelieved.
General Strong received dispatches from
General Halleck by way of Pittsburg, dated
yesterday, in which no mention was made
of the affair. Whether the fight is progress
ing, or whether it was the effect of the excl
ted Imagination of the listeners, have no
means of ascertsining.
The Belle of Memphis, when just below
Chalk Bluff, about five miles from Savannah,
was fred into by a squad Of rebel cavalry,
severely wounding black boy. The rebels
had purposely fred a building to induce the
the crew to come on deck before the vOlley
vas fred. The OhoctaW. about 100 rods be-
hind, was also fred into, killing the mate
Not less than dozen balls struck the Belle
of Memphis.
understand that Gen. Slrongs intention
hereafter, is to place boat howitEsr upon
every transport going up the Tennessee.
The steamer Empress arrived last evening
with the balance of Gen. Pope's stores at
New Madrid, and the captured property at
Tiptonville and Island No. 10. She learns
dolefnl accounts of the destruction occasion.
ed by the unprecedented Mississippi food
New Madrid is nearly covered with water as
far back as the Court House, half a mile
distant. The lower fort is entirely surround
ed, and is only acc ssible by boats, or by
swimming the bayou. Thanks to the fore
sight OF Gen. Strong, the Government prop.
perty is saved.
The Empress brought up the sick and
wounded from the military posts below, who
were transferred to transport and forward
ed to St Louis.
The arrivals from above to-day are the
Percy, Belle of Memphis, Choctaw, and
Alex. Mcdowell. They report no move
ments of the army of interest. The weather
was as unfavOrable and the roads as impass-
able as ever.
The river was exceedingly high and no
sigus Offalling.
Capt. Merrill, Provost Marshal, to. day sent
twenty-four prisoners to st. Louis-smong
them Capt. Kerby and two accompliees of
the Rebel srmy, charged with bridge burR-
ing in the vicinity of Commerce.
There are 5000 Rebels at Ohickasaw
Bluffs, instead of $4,000 as the telegraph
made me say.
The River is slowly rising. n several
pisces the water is within six inches of the
top of the leVee. In the lower part of the
town, beyond the embankment the water
from the Mississippi pOurs furiously over the
railroad track into the Ohio. The super
structure is washed away for several miles,
and some weeks must elspse after the subsi-
denee of the waters, before the running of
trains will be resumed.
The De Soto has just arrived from Fort
Pillow. She left the feet yesterday at l P
M. She brings intelligence of interest. The
bOmbardment was progressing slowly, main
tanned by the mortsrs only The Rebel bat
teries answered shot for shot, but did no
dsmagav
The Desoto brought 30 bales of cotton for
a Union man below Osceolo. On her up trip
the steamer came scross hat.boat upon
which were three families, who were driven
frem their houses by the food. The boat
was leaking badly, and on the point of sink
ing with all on board when discovered
They were left at Hickman. Owing to the
darkness Of the night, she was compelled to
tie up to tree, and while there her men
picked up machinist named Vim. Roberts,
formerly Of Philadelphia, who, to avoid i'm
pressment, left Memphis in December last
and took to the swamps, where he has since
resided. The food had driven him out Of
bis hiding place, and when discovered he
was nearly reduced to starvation. The De
Soto carried him to Hickman. She also run
I into q skif filled with negroes escaping from
some plantation. All but one were drowned
Maj. Eaton, of the 18th Illinois, brave
soldier, wounded at Pittsburg, died at hi
E residence, in Perry county, yesterday.