Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-02-13
LATEST NEWS
IMPORTANT FROM CAIRO.
Return Of the Gun.b0at Expedition to
Florence, Ala.
ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTIONS.

AS our flag has reached Florence, Ala, General
llalleck says it will soon fly over Arkansas like
wise, leaving only Texas to receive it.
FT. HENRY, Feb. Q, VIA CAIRO, Feb. IL.
a force OF the I'D Illinois Cavalry, under Mayor
Mudd, made reconnaissance to-day in the direc-
tlon OF Fort Donelson. An advance guard some 40
men, encountered a superior number Of rebel cav
airy about miles IN the main road TO Dover.
Capt Brink, ordnance off Ger, who accompanied
the command, with caisson, was in advance, and
discovered the enemy, and gave notice 10 cur cav
airy, who were feeding some distance in the rear.
The rebels advanced on our email force and gave
them battle At the cross road. Some 20 more Of
our cavalry coming up to the assistance Of our
struggling ittle band, the enemy tarncd and toek
to fight, with loss Of five killed and % prison
ers, among whom was the captain Of the rebel
band. Our loss was one man wounded and one
horse killed.
Gen. Grant and staff to-day, alss made recon
nosance to within four In les Of Fort Donelson,
and q complete knowledge Of the roads OBJ
tained.
Brown, in charge of Capt. Logan, all to General
Grant, with Col. Higgins ana Col. a. II. Mary
land, the mlitaryomai agent accompanying the
army. made aAother trip to-day to the railroad
bridge across the river at Daayille, whore laIg
quantity Of army stores, wagons, hides, and nu-
rnerOus other articles of value were obtained.
From all appearances in every direction from
the fort the rebel retreat assumed complete
panic and stampede. At Danvile tn qua, ters Of
troops gave evidence that they fed while in the
act of preparing either dinner or supper. The
cooking utensils contained the allowance of hcir
morsel. Beds and cabin furniture we're strewn
around in reckless confusion, and terror and dis
may seemed to have filled the breasts OF the occu-
pants.
An unfinished letter from a soldier to his sister
was found, dated the 9th, the day Of the battle,
which stated that the 7th regiment left thero the
piOhf Urn fnr thn tart laay fnr
the conclusion that the actual force at this lace
on the day Ct the capture Of this fort was not less
than 1 ,o0o.
Col. Markland, by order Of Gen. Grant, took pos
session of eleven bags Of mail matter ut Danville,
and closed the otice.
Yesterday Con. Grnnt and staff visited Danville
and took possession Of large amount of property
of the character that taken to-day, besides
the ferry steamer, j. N. Martin, which was bro't
down to this point
Reinforcemontsare arriving very rapidly. The
llth Iowa, l3th Missouri, battalion OF Birse )
Sharp Shooters, the lad and 18th Illinois Regi
ments all arrived during last night and to-day.
FT. HENRY, Tenn, Feb. 10, via CAIRO, 1l-P. N.
The gun-boats Lexington, Conestoea and Tay-
lor, which went up the river Immediately after
the surrender If 1T. Henry, have returned. After
the taking Of the fort they gave chase to the
rebel steamer Dunbar. Reaching the bridge Of
the Memphis, Ilarkevile Louisville kailroRd
which cros,esl he river 23 miles above, our boats
set to porti IN Of it, took quantity of stores,
DC an d passed en- in chase OF the Dunbar, but
did not ovcrtake her. 1t il supposed she escaped
by running up some creek in the night. Our gun
boats went as far as Florence, Ala, the head ol
navigation for large steamers, being about 259
miles from Paducah.
Everywhere along the river they were received
with astonishing welcome by the numerous Y nion
families in Southern Tennessee and Northern
Alabama, and at the little towns along the river
I tl,an nj Hlrr nEal n ra.ip n m
hailed with shouts Of JOY.
As an earnest to show that the sentiment was
genuine. Capt. Quinn, Of tho Taylor, recruited ~
men for service on the gun-boats, and says he can
get as masy recruits as would man the VIII ole
feet. These people have suffered much from the
oppression heaped upon them by the vilainou:
usurpations Of their rebel vandals.
There are now in Tennessee, Mississippi and
Alabama, through all Of which States gun
boats have passed, better Union men by half thar
are generally found along the Ohio river.
Many Of the people OF Florence were SO delight
ed at finding the stars and stripes more th ell
protection that they proposed give ball to the
officers Of the gun boats, but as thoy we're under
orders they could not remain to accept their hos
itaities.
Wherever our boats landel, the people, after
the first fright, and when they became assured
tn the gun boats did come to destroy, but tt
save, seemed to have no means too extravagaht Z
express their joy.
An encampment Of some 600 men, under Col
| Crews, which was recruiting n short distance
back Of the town Of Savannah, learning OF ou
gun boats having passed up to Florence, immedi
ately dispersed. Our officers not being aware o.
the existence of this camp when passing up, stop
ped on their return. and Capt. Guinn, with lot
| men, deta achment from the gun. boats, rnarchee
out to the encampment which, finding abandoned
they burnt. They captured large quantity 0
stores and $50 stand of arms. The provision
vere distributed among the destitute Union men
| Whisky is $3.50 per quart.
There is consi6 erahle suffering among the popu
lation.
Upon the next visit Of the gun-boats they will
| take on more recruits for the other boats. On
boat goes up the river this morning.
The weather is improving and the roads ar
| drvinp