The New York herald., 1862-01-12
GENERAL HALLrck's DIVISION.
OUR CAIRO CORRESPONDENCE.

Csrno, Ill.,, Dec. 25 1851.
Court Martial in Sson-A Flag of Truce Sent Do0n tAs
Aississipps Riu~y-BisAcp (GensraD Polk Resnnss H1
SdozdotaI Ro6es-Rsfx0ee from the South-The R6d
Ram Aanassas-Its Returw 10 NsW Orleaas-An iTos
Floating Battery Near C1lumbus-G1seraI Paine Or
dered 10 Depart from PadxcaA to Birds Point de-, dc.
Court Martial is In session hsre for the trial Of
Colonel Michael Lawer Of the Eighteenth Illinois rsgi
ment. The charges against him are voluminous and Il
the half are proved probable he viii have TO give up
his command. The Colonel is old onicer OF Mexican
war notoriety, is undoubtedly brave. and - true
soe but his great fault, suspect, is want Of dsci-
plins The principal charge against him IL
for allowing his regiment to try and hang murderer
while located at Mound City last summer contrary TO ex
press from General Mcclrnand the circumstances
Of which wrote you at the time.
flag Of went down the river Sunday far -
Lucas Bend, nve miles above Columbus, with eighteen
Of the Camp Jackson (st. LOUSY prisoners At Lucas'
Bend we found the rebel gunboat Grampus who fred
shot at us which had the effect Of rounding to, when
her officers board to know our business. Our
expedition was the charge of Colonel Webster who
very coolly informed the epauletted gentry Of the
Grampus that his business was with General Polk.
and that he should do 1t only with him or his
representative; SO Mr.. Grampus steamed away down
to the rebel camp, where she remained for
four mortal hours, leaving us TO while away the time
as best could When the Grampus returned, asked
the captain what had detained them long, and received
for answer-'s You the Bishop General mean)
preaching when got down there and after service
he had communion and dress parade, and could not
got back any sooner. Coonels Smith and Rgdon came
up on the rebel boat, and received the prisoners
Last night four gentlemen from the South came into
camp at Birds Point and Immediately sent over to
headquarters Two Of them were British subjects and
supplied with passports from the British Consul al
New Orleans The other two Northern who had
been living South. General Grant examined them while
and allowed them to go about their business bat about
midnight they all arrested spies and kept under
guard until morning, but after further examination
discharged. They requested not to bo catechised
regard the rebel force and Notifications down the
river they averred they had given their several
armaons to General Polk not to dvulge anything they
had knew. But this learn from conversation
with thom:-Commodore Holns famous Manassas
hs gone back New Oreans plated floating bat
terry mounting thirteen guns anchored in the river op
poste Columbus, where there also three formidable
gunboats sixteen torpedoes" submarine batteries,
have been sunk in the river ready to blow federal
fleet out of water; hundred heavy guns are
mounted ats Columbus, there from thirty 70
sixty thousand troops there. This Is confirmed by
rebel prisoner brought In to-day from Belmont and
comedies with former reports
The last OF the steam tenders to gunboats arrived
to-day from St. Louis, and tho general impression that
they don't amount to any certain sum IN whole numbers
They certainly look to be stupendous waste OF money!
but time will tell.
General Paine is ordered from Paducah to take com.
mand Birds Point. This looks like business again.