The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-04-03
Gc:s. Grants Division.

NCH. ssESIts DIVISION.
4 Rsoconnoisanos, Re5sl I9'isoaers seized
dc, dc. Ia
kCALno, March ga gentleman returned
here this Morning from Pittsburg and Sa
vannah, on the Tennessee river and reports
that on Sunday and Monday last Gen.s Sher
man made ACCOMPLISHMENTS force to Pea
Ridge, near the line of the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad, where it had been reported the
rebels were terrifying. The reconnaissance
was completed in cvry particular, no enemy
was found, however in the neighborhood. -
The expedition returned to Pittsburg on
Tuesday. -:-..
Our forces at Pittsburg are being rapidly
augmented Steamer after steamer are
continually arriving laden with fresh troops.
Thelat advices from the rebel camp at
Cornith gives the strength Of their force
there at nc, 900 and the apparent'efforts of
the rebels to fortify the town Of Cornith would
seem to demonstrate an intention to make a
vigorous resistance there. 1t is, however,
the general belief Of all the prominent off,
GERS Of Gen. Grants command, that the reb-
els will retreat on our approach, but should
. battle occur Cornith will doubtless be one
of the hardest fought and bloodiest affairs
Of the present war. sfa $50 .'ls'sa'
On Sunday last information was received at
headquarters Of Gen. Grant that consider.
able amount of pork was stored at point Or
the river called Nicholas Landing, sixty
miles south of Savannah. Major NJ. Smith
Of the 18th H., with one hundred and fifty
infantry and Capt Osband's company 9TH
Illinois cavalry was dispatched on steamer
to secure said property. Arriving at Nicho-
las Lending information was given BY con-
trabands regarding the locality Of the pork
in question. Within . circuit Of Is niles
$4,000 pounds of fresh pork forty-five
thousand pounds pork hams and shoulders
were discovered and confscated and placed
on board the steamer and brought to Savan-
nah and turned over to tho Commissary De-
partment. Nicholas landing and vicinity
has been the mart of pork business for a
long time. and immense quantities have
been brought there and stored for the use Of
the confederate army. Had the information
been received two weeks earlier it would
have secured to the United United States
upwards of two hundred thousand pounds Of
meats. Within that time the rebels have
transported large quantities southwark by
teams
On Monday the gunboat Taylor ran up the
river to the vicinity Of Eastport, near which
point masked battery opened upon them
at distance of two hundred yards, one shot
striking the smoke stack Of the Taylor. A
number Of shots were exchanged, but with
what effect on the enemy's works is I'M
known. The engagement was spirited while
it lasted; upwards offifty shots were fred.
The Taylor received no other injuries and
nobody was hurt.
Captains Bernard and Corson of Gen.
Smiths scouts returned to Savannah from
NASHVILLE, overland, on Tuesday night as
bearer of dispatches from Gen. Buell.
Capt. Bernard reports strong loyal sent:-
ment in several districts. Of Tennessee be-
tween Columbia and Savannah. He over
took certain bodies Of marauding rebels, but
their indemnity not being suspecAd they
were allowed to pass unmolested. Union
men live in extreme fear of these marauders
prowling about in the vicinity, and are anx-
ious for the approach Of the Government
forces.
A man named Morris, one Of the lessee
scouts was hung at Savannah on Sunday for
stealing thereabouts.
Gen. Grant has entirely recovered from
his recent illness. Gen. Smith is still con-
fined at his headquarters, but is GONZALES
cent.
A steamer arrived early this morning from
the fotilla and reports no change in the con.
dition Of affairs at Island No. 10. The BON.
bardment continues with but little Interrupt
ton, but the results are not indicative ofany
signs ofevacuation by the rebels.
Rumors were afoat that the rebel gun
boats had passed Pope's batteries at Point
Pleasant, from below, but they can be traced
to no reliable source. The story is undoubt.
edly oanaid.
The rebels are impressing citizens Of Ken
lucky and Tennessee into service and arm
ing them with axes and pixies.
Four rebels armed with Arkansas tooth
picks were arrested near Charleston yes
terday, and brought to Birds Point, they
claim to be refugees from Tennessee. Their
story is disbelievod. They remain in close
custody.
Gen. Strong visited the Island to-day.
Fro m the Arkansas Rebels.
BoLLA, No., March 29.--Reliable persons
just from our army in the Southwest, say