The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-02-15

SIX second lieutenants, two third lieu
tenants, and 384 privates and colored
servants. They were taken to Hatteras
and Santa Rosa, and are the last of the
prisoners of war at Fort Warren, ex-
cept Com. Barron.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago TFihune.l
Interesting Account of the Gunboat Visit
up the River to Alabama. The People
Hail the Old Flag as a Deliverer.
FoRr HENRY, Tenn, Feb. 10, 1861
1850 5y4ssr-5 VIA CAIRO. midnight 1lth.
The gunboats Lexington, Conestoga
and Taylor, which went up the river
Immediately after the surrender OF
Fort Henry, have returned. After the
taking of the Fort, they gave chase to
the rebel steamer Dunbar. Reaching
the bridge of the Memphis, GAINESVILLE
and Louisville railroad, which crosses
this river23 miles above, our boats set
fire to portion of it, took quantity
of stores, &c, and passed on in chase
of the Dunbar, but did not overtake
her. 1t is supposed she escaped by
running up some creek in the night.
Our gunboats went as far as Flor
ence, Alabama, the head of navigation
for large steamers, being about ESQ
miles from Paducah. Everywhere
along the river they were received with
astonishing welcome by the numerous
| Union families in Southern Tennessee
and northern Alabama, and at the little
towns along the river the old flag was
looked upon as redeemer, and hailed
with shouts of JOY, as an earnest to
show that the sentiment was genuine.
Capt. Gwin of the Taylor recruited
thirty men for service on the gunboats,
and says he can get as many more re-
cruits as would man the whole fleet.
These people have suffered much from
the oppression heaped upon them by
the villainous usurpations of these reb-
ell vandals.
There are now in Tennessee, Missis-
sippi and Alabama, through all OF
which States our gunboats have now
passed, better Union men by half than
generally arc found along the Ohio
river. Many of the people at Florence
were so delighted at finding the Stars
and Stripes once more their protection,
that they proposed to give a ball to the
officers of the gunboats! but as they
were under orders, they could not re.
main to accept their courtesies. Wher-
ever our boats landed, the people, after
the first fright, and when they became
assured that the gnnboats did not come
to destroy, but to save, seemed to have
TO means too eztravagant to express
their delight and Joy.
The rebels burnt all the steamers on
the river they could find. Among
those burned are the steamers Lynn
Boyd, Sam Orr, Smith, Time, Sam
Kirkman, Appleton and Belle. Our
gunboats captured three of their steam
ers, one of which, the Eastport, was
being built for gunboat, and not quite
finished. The rebels tried to seuttle
her, but had not time enough to sue
ceed. She was taken at Savannah,
Tenn, and had on board large guam
tity of plate-iron for her completion.
Capt. Gwin says she will make splen.
did gunboat, and has the advantage OF
speed. The other boats taken were
named Sally Woods and the Mascle
the latter being loaded with lumber
some 5000 feet.
Anencampmentof offs some 600 men under
Col. Crews, which was recruiting short
distance back of the town of Savannah
learning of our gunboats having passed
mp to Florence, Immediately dispersed
Our officers not being aware of the ex,
istenee of this encampment when pass
ing mp, stopped there on their return
and Capt. Gwin. with 100 men, detach
ments from the three gunboats, accom-
panied by Lieutenant Conday Shirk
with another officer, marched out to the
encampment which, finding abandoned
they set fire to- They captured large
quantity Of Quartermaster's and Com
missary stores. and 100 stand of arms
The provisions were distributed among
the destitute Union men, as was done
at several other points where commits
sary stores were taken.
/ Calicos are worth one dollar pei
yard, and whisky $3.50 per quart
There is considerable suffering among
the population.
| Upon the next visit of the gunboat'
they will take on more recruits for 9th
er boats. One boat goes up the river
this morning.
A FABRICATION Little Eddie, The