The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-05-02
Southern News by = Rcfugee.
Special to Chicago Times.
Cairo. April 30

Cairo, April 3O.
The steamer Diligence, which arrived
this morning from Tiptonyille, brought
as a passenger refugee from Memphis,
which place he left on Sunday. Hecame
by way of the Memphis d Ohio Railroad
to Humboldt, thence across the country
to Ashport, snd from there up the river.
He represents Humbolt Is occupied by
small rebel force, who are engaged in
throwing up defensive works. Humboldt
is small town at the intersection of the
Ohio Il Mississippi Railroad and the main
trunk road running south from Columbus,
parallel with the Mississippi river, to New
Orleans. This refugee brings Memphis
papers Of the Goth, which, however, con-
tain but little matter of interest further
than the confirmation of the surrender OF
New Orleans. The Avalanche grumbles
that the rebel Government suppresscs the
details in regard to the affair, and says
nothing but the bare facts of the snrren-
der are known. The same paper says
that the southern people are fast losing
all confidence in their river defences, and
it u generally admitted that the Federal
army can be no longer successfully resist
ed. 1t also insinuated lack of conf
dence in the stability OF the Southern Con-
fedency, by advising its patrons to invest
whatever money they have in real estate
while purchases can be made with the
currency now in circulation, which is
principally rebel treasury notes. The
consumption law is being enforced, and
Union citizens are secreting themselves,
flying to avoid its operations. Memphis
is represented by this refugee to be in the
highest state of excitement, anticipating
the advent of the Yankees from either
side at any moment. Merchants of strong
and avowed secession proclivities are re-
moving their goods to places Of conceal
ment and security and large numbers of
families are moving away daily. All the
public stores have been put in readiness
for immediate destruction Mt the slightest
notice. The idea OF burning the town is
abandoned, the determined opposition Of
the property ownes and municipal author
tiles being too great to be overcome. 1t
is currently stated in Memphis that Beau
regard has not to exceed $4,000 effective
men at Corinth, and there is no hope of
his successfully resisting General Halleck,
who il believed to have an army at least
100000 strong, admirably armed and
disciplined, and composed of the best
fighting stock l., the North. A common
expression is that Hulleck is fooling with
Beauregard as cat plays with mouse
preparatory to gobbling it up. The South
west Is admitted to be conquered, and
the people are generally preparing them
selves to submit. The fall Of New Or
leans destroyed their las. hope of success.
Az my informant left Memphis it was re
ported that the rebel gunboat fleet from
New Orleans were in sight, and were
bound up the river to join Hollin's feet
at Fort Pillow. This has undoubtedly
been accomplished, and, as stated in my
former dispatch. may account for the
heavy cannonading heard in that direction
on Monday and Tuesday. There has
been no arrival from the Fort nor from
Pittsburg to-day.
LATER p. M.-The steamer Glen
dale, just in from Paducah, reports that a
steamer had just arrived at that place
from Pittsburg Landing. The latter boat
reports serious skirmish between an ad-
vance party Of the Federal army 5000
strong and large body Of rebels, FIVE
miles from Corinth. The Union forces
were victorious. No mention is made of
the loss on either side. The Federal
troops took twenty nine prisoners. Can
nonading was still heard when the steam
er left. The Glendale is chartered by the
city Of Cincinnati. and has twelve sur
geons aboard. also an abundance Of hos
pital stores and delicacies for sick and
wounded soldiers. She 10 now cruising,
looking after the comfort Of disabled
troops from the State of Ohio.
rs, ocial In Times