, 1862-03-29
FROM GEN, GRANTS 0LUMW.
GREAT BATTLE IMPENDING.
10000 Rebels at .C0rintfl.
Ruellss Army en- route to Join
General Grant.

Buell:s Army en- route to Join
General Grant.
GUNB0AT FIGHT AT EASTP0RT. 1
Seizure Of Rebel Supplies in Ala
bama.
Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribunal
GARo, March Is, 1aa- :.
4 gentleman returned here this morning
from Pittsburgh and Savannah, on the Ten
nessco river, and reports that on Sunday aud
Monday last Gen. Sherman made recon-
noissancc in force to Pea Ridge, near the line
Of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, where 1t had
been reported the rebels we're fortifying- The
reconnaissance was complete il every particu-
lar: No enemy was found, however, in the
nejghbofhood, and the expedition returned
to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Our forces at
Pittsburgh are being rapidly augmented.
Steamer after steamer is arriving continually,
laden with fresh troops.
Latest advices from the rebel camp at
Corinth give the strength Of the force there
at Il, 600 strong. Recent indications relative
to the present efforts OF the rebels to fortify
the town Of Corinth would seem to demon
strate an intention to make vigorous resist
ance there. It is, however, the general belief
Of all prominent officers Of General Grants
command that the rebels will retreat on our
approach. But should battle occur atCorintb,
it will doubtless be one Of the hardest fought
and bloodiest affairs Of the present war.
On Monday last Information was received
at the headquarters Of Gen. Grant that a con-
siderable amount Of pork was stored at 3
point On the river called Nichols Landing,
go miles south Of Savannah. Major Melanc-
thon Smith Of the 45th Illinois, with one hun
dred and fifty infantry and Capt. Osband's
company Of the 4th Ill. cavalry, was dispatch.
ed On steamer to secure said property Ar
riving at Nichols Landing, information WIS
given by contrabands concerning the locality
Of the pork in question. Within circuit Of
fifteen miles, 5000 pounds Of fresh pork,
$1,000 pounds Of cured hams, shoulders, SC,
were discovered and confscated, placed
| on steamer, brought to Savannah
! and turned over to the Commissary
department. Nichols Landing and vicinity
| has been mart Of pork business for c. S. A.
for long time. Immense quantities have
been bought and stored there for the use OF
the Confederate army. Had information at
rived two weeks earlier, It would have secured
| to us upwards Of two hundred thousand
| pounds Of meats, as within that time the reb.
| els have transported large quantities south,
ward by teams.
On Monday the gunboat Tyler went up the
river to the vicinity Of Eastport, near which
point masked battery opened upon them at
a distance Of 200 yards, one shot striking the
smoke stack Of the Tyler. Anunher Of shots
were exchanged, with what effect on the ene
my's works is unknown. The engagement
was extremely spirited while it lasted, up
wards Of 50 shots being fired The Tsle1
received no other injuries than those above
stated, and nobody was hurt.
Captains Bedard and Carson, Of Genera
Smiths scouts, returned to Savannah from
Nashville, overland, On Tuesday night, 4:
bearears Of dispatches from General Buell.
Generals Nelson, Thomas and McCook's div
isions, Of Bue1l's column, reached Duck Greek
on Sunday last. Capt Beaard reports strong
| loyal sentiment in several districts of Ten
nesscc, between Columbia and Savannah. I'll
overlook certain bands Of matauding rebels
hut their identity not being suspected, they
were allowed to pass unmolcsted. Unior
men live in extreme fear Of these marauder.
prow1ing about In their vicinity, and are anx
ions for the approach Of Government forces.
A man named Morris, one Of the "Jes5it
scouts,'' was hung at Savannah on Sunday
for horse stealingand other deprcdAtions from
private citizens thcrcabouts..
Gen. Grant has entirely recovered from hi
recent illness. Gen. Smith Is still confined a
lis headquarters, but is conyalescent.
MOVEMENTS OF GEN. BUELL's ARMY
correspondence Of the Cincinnati Commercial.
NASHVILLE, March 21.-When the Division.
Of Gems. McCook, Nelson, Crittenden, Mitche
/ and Thomas, successfully got into motion il
the early part Of this week, 1t was generally
supposed that they would make vigorous
push for northern Alabama But learn to
day, through parties from below, that all art
already come to another halt promising to ex
tend ovcra number Of days. To be sure, it,
cause.-The destruction Of various bridges OF
otherwise impossible streams beyonG
the control Of the Chief, a.
bands Of rebel cavalry were lett behind for tht
express purpose Of firing them, and kept con
stantly prepared to do so at moments no
tioe Of the approach Of our forces.
Gen. McCook reached franklin on sunda,
evening, and On Monday marched within
short distance Of Columbia, to the banks Q
Dusk River, the bridge over which had beer
burned only few minutes before the cayalr,
advance reached It's northern end. Here TIL
division has since been encamped. Gen Mel
sons division followed In the wake Of Nc
Cooks, Gen. Ctittenden's and Gen. Thomas 5
The aforementioned four divisions, in th
course Of "Wednesday and Thursday, pitche.
their tents near McCook's S, and all viii quietl,
await the completion Of q new bridge owe
Duck River. It Is considered doubtful whethc
the army viii be able TO cross before the mid
! die Of next week.
Gen. Mitchel's division struck tents o.
| Tuesday and moved over the turnpike, o,
both sides Of which 1t had been ercamped, to
wards Murfreesboro' and ahclbyyillc, thu
forming the left wing OF the army. It was re
ported to-day that his advance had reaches
ShelbyVn and captured large quantity O
beef and bacon, which the rebels had beel
unable to remove.
STRENGTH OF TEE REBELS GENERAL
BUELL..
Correspondence Of the st. Louis Demoeratl
{ SAVANNAH, Tenn, March 11.-Cor;ntt
Mississippi, seems to be the principal cente
+ Of the force which is being concentrate
i against Us. and is probably n possession {
10000 or q, 600 men. At Easiport, where th
, | river battery is placed, there is another fol
nidable force, while at Chiekasaw, and to th
; west, near Purdy, and even so far north q
+ Lexington, In Henry county, there are othe
) armies Of. greater or less magnitud.
{ This force Is being daily augmented
aud to such IN extent that 1t has create
r very decided impression among our Gene
ais that 1t is the intention Of the rebel leade!
to concentrate against this column eve,
i available man they can bring to bear, lesyiu
!. the Mississippi, In the meantime, to take ca
: of. itself. At Cornith, on Tuesday, no le.
than thirteen trains arrived, each consisting
+ eighteen or twenty cars. Generals Beanr
and others, are reported to be vii
l. the rebel column. in front. General Beaur
>. gard was at Purdy On Wednesday,. If 1t |
d true that the Mississippi River defenses 4
+ being c1andcstfne1y hereft Of the major po
p ton Of their commands, 1t is to be hoped th
& tho movement is not taking place without Il
knowledge of our Generals IN command the1
Le The lesson OF Manassas ought to guard again
10 the repetition Of such rtst da gue17e beto
il our very faces.
d The present whereabouts of Gen Buell. b
E. gins to excite considerable snrmise. Now
At Is within twelve miles Of us, now he Is
" Florence, again he is at Columbus, and then
Is positively stated that he has not as 5
d budged from Nashville There Is no conce
ing The fact that his presence, to speak nc
n | correctly, the presence Of his army, In So
r. rnrtfDp distance If 11s IL rerarde3 nf Eerr n7x