, 1862-12-19
FROM CAIRO AND. BELOW,
d Federal Gunboat Blown up by
a Rebel Torpedo.
VESSEL LOST---11EN ALL SAVED,
The Situation on the Lower Mis-
sissippi.

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tri5nne.1
CAIRo, Dec. 49, 1852.
From Executive Officer Hazlett, of the gun
boat Cairo, just arrived. in the steamer 31armo-
IA, have the following particulars Of the dis
astcr to this vessel. It seems Capt. S.lfridgc
Of the gunhoat Cairo, was placed in COM
nand Of an expedition up the Yazoo intended
to clear that river for future operations. He
had his own craft, tie Pittsbarg, lhe Signal
aud Marmora. On last Friday at noon the
little feet had gone up the Yazoo about
twenty miles, and was nearly opposite but q
little below Haincs' Bluff, when her lookout
discovered suspicious lines leading to the
shore, which were soon pronounced attach
ments to torpcdoes. Her progress was nearly
stopped, and by order Of Capt. Selffidge, men
in boats were sent out to take up the torpe
docs, when an explosion took place under the
side Of the steamer Cairo, blowing hole
twelve feet square in her hull, just aft Of her
bow guns. Of course she sank rapidly, rest
ing in twenty eight feet Of wafer. Not man
was killed, and what is more strange, none
were seriously hurt from the bursting Of the
torpedo. Her officers aud crew we're taken
on board th Marmora, and after five demi-
johns filed with powder, having friction,
primer and Lines attached, had been taken up,
the feet returned to the mouth Of the river,
where the Mramora was detached By the com-
manding officer Of the fleet, to bring the
Calro's officers and men to this port.
Nothing was saved from the Cairo but her
pennant, which foated On the water, The
Cairo had 1853 men and officers on board. It
was indeed 8 marvellous escape.
About half regiment of rebel troops, prob
ably lately engaged in planting torpcdoes,
were seen cncamped upon the shore; but they
did not seem inclined to dispute the passage
Of cur feet.
The fleet, on its passage, before leaving the
Mississippi River, was fired upon at Milliken's s
Bend, and one man on the Cairo wounded.
The Cairo was one Of the gunboats engaged
in tic fight at Fort Pillow, Oh the 10th Of May
last, when she was sunk She also bore a
hand in the Memphis battle, in the latter firing
the first gun at the enemy. She has fought
her last battle, as it will be impossible toraise
her.
4 letter Of the l4il inst. from your cor
respondent in Admiral Porter's Heet, en- route
for the Yazoo Riger, just received, says both
banks Of the river just below Helena, are in
fested with rebel guerillas, constantly firing
upon steamers.
The Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers are
likely to be raised considerably By the present
rains, which will cause the Mississippi to
raise. Water is much needed for the fleet.
The steamer City Of Madison arrived at
Helena with rebel prisoners in convoy of the
ennboat Lexington, and passed down OF
Monday last,
These prisoners are to be landed eigh
miles below Vicksburg- Eight died before
reaching Helena.
Fort Curtis, now building at Helena, i
rapidly approaching completion.
Especial Disparch to the Chicago Tzibunc.1
AEMrms, Dec. Is, via CAIRO, Dec. 18.
/ Tic river has fallen here f,r the past forty
eight hours. Every body in doors. Not mucl
| news stirring. It has been reported here tina
large body ofrebel cavalry has crossed til
Tennessee River lately, intending to brea]
communication between Columbus and Col
lnth, thus cutting off our supplies.
;:CA1Ro, Dec. 1S.-Last Friday, at noon, th
Eunboat Cairo, when twenty ~one miles abov
The mouth Of the fazoo River, and TWO mile
below Haines' Bluff, Was blown up By tol
redo. In nine minutes she sunk in six Il
thoms Of water. Nothing but her signal sta
and chimucys are to bc seen. Singular to sa,
no one was hurt, but The boat, With her ci
tire armament and outfit, is lost. The crew
taken from the wreck by the ram Queen c
the West, have all arrived at Cairo on Il
Marmo1a.