New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-06

npaRrfcr,9
lew-JeG. Thompson Makeih Drunken
speech-The Csnfederacy Certai. -
Achieve It's Independence-Thc South.
eruers the Natural Owners Of the
Yankees, etc.
From Our Special Correspondent.
MISSISSIPPI FLorILIA. NEAR Fosr PILLOW
sevvniy.fvs Mies Above Memphis Z
Thnisiay. Midnight, May 20, lee&
Those who hope on the Floti'la are doomed to dis
appointment. Those who do not hope are striving to
scquire resignation.
Every day almost we hear that movement is on
foot that the time for concerted action has arrived
at last; that we will attack Pillow within the next
twenty -four hours, etc.. bnt We who have been 30
often deceived do not believe intelligence received
through unofficial and unauthorized sources. RAG
Officer Davis 10 very silent, and gives no intimation
of hs intentions and no means Of judging Of the il'
ture of the expedition.
ACTION ON THE FLOTILLA.
An unusual degses of activity prevailed n-fhe
sotilla Yesterday. The tugs and rams were moving
about very anirnatedy up and down and across the
river, and in the vicinity of Craghead Point, a.
desicnup 10 recounoiter. II was thought the enemy
would certainly fire on them, as they were often IN
easy range; but he did not do 80, nor did he make
his appearance with any Of his feet. Appearances
indicated that the RebSe had been largely re-en'
forced as more tents were visible but there was 10
certainty that the indications were correct. Hardly
any one was visible on the bluff about the works,
and no gunboats were in sight, though the smoke OF
several transports was seen rising from bend in
the river.
OUR MORTARs FIRING AGAIN.
In the afternoon two of our mortars resumed fire,
throwing shells the point in the direction OF the
fort. without however, it is fair to suppose, doing
any damage ne most Of the shell burst up high in the
air, and many did not explode at all.
There must be great difficulty in adjusting the fuses
properly Judging from the i'll success tina. attends
our mortar practice. The design is to burst the
bombs about fifty feet above the ground and yet, 80
far as we can determine, they often explode just as
they have begun to descend, rendering them harm
less and therefore useless.
Mortar firing amounts to very little at best. II Is
q kind of make-beleve warfare at least as we con-
duct il; and when we reflect that every discharge
costs So, the practice seems rather reckless e1-
pepditure OF money. Particularly Is this 40 down
here; Tor we cannot the place where our theii.
fall ia consequence OF the Intervention oil strip o'
timbered land known IA Craighead Point between
the hotilla aud Fort Pillow. Eyen II the mortar
have the range of the works, tie enemy can oeteE-
mine when the bombs are thrown by Tie puns OF
s1oke and can hide themselves as ibey doubtless
do behind the earth deftnses before The shek feaeh
them.
The mor'ars might lombard Fort Pillow, pre-
sumo without intefuusion for Fix months without
driving the enemy from his POSITION; though IL may
be well enough she the icT' III eryal' mat we
NAV at least preserve the appearance OF siege.
The Rebels replied TO our moriars by u cir own,
snd some OF their shells burr, above the boais and
tugs bat old 10 damage. Before Huntet tne ming
ceased and our morars were withdrawn ~ l
Bulletin Bar, and remained there sufihg tue 'gn''
RESUMPTION or QuiEfrDE.
This lnorniug all wac quiet once moro, and there
40. NO pfospeet of activity on the fleet, Which was
living idle ~ lazarone tue soit grass uLdeFneat
the Vernsl sun. There wa, no rerorPlbie move
ment either about the tort; 40 smoke OF transports
or guuboats around the Point; 10 APPEARANCE above
il of hostile vessels. DuUncss, s.d &c iium, sad
potonv and beat, and muskstoes were the only
probabilities for the remainder Of the week and yet
all this afternoon our or Kept mp brisk nre,
md the enemy answered them az intervals.
CONTINUED siCkEEss hMo>G orr LASD
roICEs.
great deal Of sickness still prevsils m the Two
,.,;,,crt.-th, Indiana 49,, Col. Mclean, and The
Jndians 46th Col Fitch-on the Arsanr A. shore o.
rather on the transport lying pear there Livery
d.v ar TWO come of TIE poor suffering follows ar
ent TO Cairo on the mail boat, aud learn that tue
deaths in the regiments for the past two week.
have averaged five or siX day. The regiments,
who have borne up against severe Circumstance
and painiul Condiiious most bravely, aud have had
such bitter cxrer iences wonli canse lnsuboipa-
tiou among many soldiers, deserve credit Tor The
ratience aud fofiitude tuoy have shown
VALUABLE ADDITION TO THE FLAGSHIP
The stern of the ilsg,hip has been extended 70 be
to cover her rudders and prevent the Rebel rum IN
any future engagement from rendering The Office OF
pilot useess. She was 30 ably handed dun the
late engagement, and performed such ELECTIVE seT-
vice, tbal the eleny would doubtless make great
effort in the next fight 10 destroy her rudders, aud
thus nullify her capacity, desirable Contamination
70 them, bat one they cannot now elect
sIsGILAR INTERVIEWS WITH TIE REBELS.
Daring the frequent interviews that have taken
Mace between the Naupalisis md Rebels under
hags OF truce since arrival here, the officers OF
the Union tugs have again aud again met, retos-
uized and talked with former ineld-, who at tbe
commencement OF the roober entered into The Rebel
service.
m. insurgents were engaged in the river trade
ou the W,-,ern and Southern waters; but suppo ing
their interests lay with Secession they espOnsed lr
cause thinking the difficulty with the North would
aeon he compromised, and the Slave States allowed
I'll thew claimed They discovered their error, but
TOO late - retrace their stops, and now they ere
compelled 10 lie on the couch they nave prepared Tor
themselves.
The meeting Of thes. parties il often amusing.
although very different in character. Sometimes the
foe, are auiable and agreeable; inquiiog about
thi. OF that person the United States or the Con-
federacy." and express grea, good will TO each
other though resretiug the nature Of The cause in
which they are engaged. Again they are mutually
indignant und have bitter ordinations and recrimi
nations, aud upbrsid one another for violation OF
principle and patriotism.
We'll, jim. never thought you'd join Tie d d
Aboionisis.' Pm sorry, Joe, you turned trsitor
20 your country: never believed you'd be guilty OF