Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-25


something to his credit, under such trying orcum-
stances, that he refused to play the traitor; but
this makes him neither gentleman nor a Chris
tan.
Our Army ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and
the Condition OF Affairs on the Mis-
sissippi.
CAIRO, April 81. 1862
J. j BINGHAM, ESQ: The situation of this de
lectabe city i deplorable just now The river
has been rising ana it has rained, with but
day 5 ntermisslCn, since my last. The fOaming
Hood of the river is with the top of the levee
and the pools and puddle holes and well worked
mud are deep and everywhere. The inhabitants
momentarily expecting and dreading the
breaking OF the barrier that keeps the great bulk
of the Father OF Waters" from sweeping their
habitations away. The steam pumps
longer oil avail and have stopped. There is no
way vet devised by which they can throw the
water above the river at its present elevation.
The town, consequently, back from the levee is
"A pool of water varying in depth from six inches
10 six feet. Families are seeking shelter in the
upper stories of warehouses, in boats and in the
cars. Confusion reIens supreme. II add to it,
transports loaded with troops have been crowding
the landing for three days, and the soldiers seek
ing. they always WILL a change of fare. have
literally eaten the town out. A thousand amusing
SCthtS anu luCtutntS OCCuI every udN, anu sumo
distressing ones. Ii would be great place just
now tor "Iocal" hard up to fill his corner.
Birds Point is all under water and the country
for miles back on the Missouri side. The Skies
town railroad is submerged and for the present
abandoned. Mr.. Coyner and Mr. Gale, with
their force, have taken refuge here to wait until
there is some spot on the line of their road where
a weary dove might rest Its wing The cars of
the Illinois Central road no longer run here
City by boat to meet them. In short, we have
water above, below and all round us, and little or
no whisky.
Steamers we're sent out yesterday to bring in
the farmers and planters on the coast whose ha1
itatOns were in danger. Some took advantage
of the kindness of the Government, but many
would not leave their watery localities unless
their stock-hOrses, cows and pigs-were also
brought off. This OF course was impossible. and
they had 10 be left to herd their fOcks on RATS
tied to trees, as best they could.
THE SITUATION BELOW.
Commodore F0ote and the army officers ope-
rating in concert with him, have no doubt of their
ability to reduce Fort Pillow at any time. They
make it already very hot for the rebels. What
the views OF the higher powers may be know
not but it does not seem to me important to pos
sess that point, good policy to 20 below it, I'M
I'll the force at COnnth Is scattered or driven
back. The land forces can not operate to any
advantage while the country is submerged it
Is. Whenever the waters subside and the signal
is given. Fort Pillow will be ours.
The cavalry and light artillery of the army of
the Mississippi with some of the infantry have
gone up the river, leaving a sufficient force, how
ever, below to ,uaru every point and operate on
the offensive when II is deemed eXpedient. | have
already told you that Colonel Fitch commands
the advance He has his regiment, the
47th, and the 43d Indiana, Col. Mclean, in his
brigade What other troops are with him don't
knOw-nOne, however from State. NOtwth-
standing the difficulties of his position Colonel
Fitch has mastered them all. A mind like his
can never rust in inactiOu, and physically lie has
not lazy bone in hi, body. tie has all the quail
tiles that 20 10 make up a good General-an act
i've intellect, untiring industry-the dash and snap
OF twenty five added To the cool Judgment OF
fifty. Ii he does not make his mark it will be be-
cause he Is not properly supported or that he is
bound hand and foot by the red tape of the Ma
jor Generals
Our scouts are making themselves familiar
with the swsmps and have had several Skin
mIShes with the enemy's pckets who cross over
below the Point ana pull about in boats protected
by the guns of their fleet below Our Indiana
boys however. can live like algators if neces-
sary. to all the glorious cause in which they are
engaged. and eagerly meet the enemy more than
halt way There will be active bombardment
kept up, but DO not look for any definite results
from il for some weeks vet.
THE SITUATION ABOVE.
The army at Pttsburg Landing has been and "a
being reinforced largely. All accounts concur
that the troops are IN fine condition, and the pres
OF General Haileck has inspired them with
the utmost confidence. He has brought order cut
OF c0niuson-lor confusion there WAS after the
dearly bought victory there No one denies II.
The Southern papers sill claim Shiloh Is vic
tory. | see. They are easily satisfied Z con
trabanl who came INTO one OF our camps below the
other day seemed to understand their claims
- ,mbo sand the Colonel. what do your folks
say about the recent battesT' "Oh. cey say dey
always whip YOU, massa." And what do YOU
think about it," The darkey scratched his head
anu grinued from ear to ear as he replied, Dey
can't fool dis nisga-dey neber advance
OUR TowNsMEN HERE
There are a number here in the several depart
mentS OF the army from Indianapolis They are
all we'll. Paymaster Hanna has lust got in from
below and leaves in the first boat for Paducah
Mr. Burgess of the 3ith has gone to Louisville
tor supplies. and Mr. Lchtenhen i here wait
ing for transportation 10 New Madrid By the
way, | must not forget our friend. Mcknight.
Peter i the managing director of the 47th suffer
establi -hment now NJ TiptonvilIe. and takes
kindly 10 the di,comiOrts % his post he i very
popular. and tells story with as much vim a. he
would at Martin Hugs Beebe's. Mr. b.
+ Reed is chief OF the issuing department OF the
Post Quartermaster, and has his hands full. he
Is nov seated at a desk just opposite me with
bible on one side of him, and the army regua
lions the other, up 10 his ewes IN voaminous
returns. Ii takes watching aud praying 10 keep
things straight. Capt Bradshaw's business l.
Misunderstanding. ! think. that done in the
Quartermaster Generals department at lndianap-
oils when the troops were being fitted out. |
could have had no idea OF IL had | not become
familiar with the different Offices through which
the machinery under his supervision s kept at