Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-04-01
FROM CAIRO.


CAIRO, March 20.
The reports circulated here this morning that
the rebels under Forrest attacked Paducah, Ky .,
fifty miles above here, Yesterday, aud burned
part of the town, bat as the telegraphic commu- :
nication is cut off no authentic communication
could be obtained.
The steamer Julian from Nashville, which
passed Paducah at five o'clock this morning and
the Joseph Bearce which passed two hours la
ter, bring the following account of affairs: For
rest, with am estimated force of 5000, captured
the place at two o'clock yesterday afternoon,
sacked and fred the city
Colonel Hicks, commanding post, occupied the
fort below the city with 500 men.
The rebels made four assaults on the fort and
were repulsed each time.
Our gunbOats opened on the city during its
occupation by the rebels, much of which was
burned including the Marine Railway, the
steamer Arizonia and the wharf boat.
From 1000 to 5000 inhabitants of the city
proach of the rebels.
When the Pearce passed at seven o'clock in
the morning the enemy had left. The people
were returning to the city and the fires were dy
ing out. The amount of public and private
property destroyed is as yet unknown, but is
supposed to be large. Our loss is twelve killed
and forty wounded. One hundred and fifty
rebels were reported killed. among them Gene
eral Thompson. Twenty-Five houses around
the fort were destroyed by our troops, they be-
ing used for the rebel sharpshooter's headquar-
ters. The government store houses were burn
ed by the enemy.
Reporters have gone to Paducah and will fur
nish correct information.
A dispatch from Columbus, Ky, says Forrest
and Faulkner are between that place and May
field. Their forces in a crippled condition.
Their strength is much greater than at first es-
timated. Mayfield is said to be full of rebel
wounded from Paducah. 200 to | 500 are said
to have arrived there.
One regiment lost lOI and one company SO
killed.
The rebels were marching towards Clinton at
last accounts.
Should they attack Columbus they will re-
ceive a still warmer reception than they did at
Paducah.
The steamer Perry was fired into while pass
ing Hickman yesterday. The town was full of
rebels. A great number of shots were fired but
nobody hurt.
The steamer Graham brought up 600 men
from New Madrid, who charged through the
town, but the rebels had fled. They belonged
TO Faulkners command.
Three hundred rebels were killed at Paducah
and one thousand wounded Several citizens of
the place were killed during the fight The
city is nearly in ruins.
The steamer Desarck was burned at Duval's
Bluff while lying at the levee She was towed
into the stream and sunk, thus saving number
of other boats. A large quantity of government
stores was on the landing. She had 300 bales
of cotton on board which was destroyed. The
boat was owned by Champion d Ogden, valued
at $4,000 and insured for $4,000.
John Kelley was arrested yesterday for pass
ing counterfeit 500 Treasury notes.
A dispatch from Paducah says that the home
guards surprised and captured Colonel Cros-
Ian and seven of his band ofguerrillas, near May
field.
CAIRO, March 28.-FOrrest had about 1000
men in his ATTACK on Paducah, his line of bat
tie extended two and half miles in length the
fight lasted all the afternoon. -Four assaults
were made on the Fort en-masse, which were
repulsed with great and terrible slaughter to the
enemy.
The gunboats fired GOO rounds A large por-
tion of the town is in ruins. The rebels plum
dered the stores, and carried off large num-
Der of horses during the fight.
Forty convalescents in the hospital were cap
turned.
Forrest sent flag of truce to exchange pris-
oners, but Col. Hicks declined.
Three hundred rebel dead lie in front of our
fort.
Generals Harris and Burbrldge were with the
rebels.
Boats from Paducah at noon yesterday re-
port all quiet and the citizens returning to town.
Several women killed during the fight.
Our loss was fourteen killed and forty-fiv
wounded.
The negroes, numbering 22O, fought with
great gallantry.
CAIRO, March 28.-Our forces under Colonel
Hicks, at Paducah, comprised the first battalion
of the 18th Kentucky, numbering 300 raw re-
cruits under Major Barnes; three companies of
the 23d Illinois, 40 strong, under Major Chap
man, and $50 of the first Kentucky heavy
artillery (colored) under Lieutenant Cunning
ham.
The steamer Dacotah, burned at the Marine
Railway, was owned by Captain johnson of
and was valued at thirty thousand
dollors.
Wolfe & Bro. estimate their loss at $25,0OO,
by plundering.
Forrest with a force estimated at 2,000 were
reported eight miles from Columbus, Ky, last
night They cut the telegraph line between
that place and Cairo yesterday.
About 40 prisoners captured at Union City,
arrived here last night. They report that only
250 prisoners were captured with Col. Hawkins,
and were escaping every day.