, 1864-02-15
THE VERY LATEST,
s O'CLOCK, 4. n.
FROM CAIRO AND BELOW.
Especial Dispatch 10 the Chicago Tribune ]

Especial Dispatch to the Chicago TFibune.1
CAlno, Feb. II, 1861
The steamer Platte Valley arrived here this
morning from Yazoo river. She had been en-
gagged in transporting troops, and had one
wheelhouse destroyed by coming in contact
with tree. She was also fired at with MUS
ket balls, in trayersing the stream, from guer-
illas.
There is nothing further Of importance
from Bahalia and Mechanicsyllle fights. They
were but slight afairs.
A man named Rutherford, telegraph opera-
tor, and said to hare been deserter from an
Illinois regiment, made his escapefrom prison
at Columbus last week.
Captain Ellsworth, Of Adjutant General
Thomas staff, on tour Of inspection to col
ored troops, WINS in town lately, and left for
Memphis on Thursday
Part Of the 34th New jersey, Col LAW
renee, stationed at Columbus, has been mount
cd, and daily make Reconnaissance into the
country, driving off guerillas and thieves.
The Paducah railroad has been repaired,
and trains are now running regularly from
Union City to Paducah, thus giving daily
railroad communication between the latter
place and Columbus,
Four hundred recruits hive been added to
the I'd Tennessee "a d. Heavy Artillery
withir the last few months. It has now
eleven companies nearly full.
The new military prison at Columbus has
been completed, md prisoners removed to it
from Fort Hallcck. Colored soldiers make
excellent guards.
A Union man named Pyatt, living few
miles from Fulton Station, was fred upon
and slightly wounded by guozillas the other
day. Pyatt gave chase and came near cap
turing one rascal, but they fnally escaped.
The name Of this military district, since
the appointment Of Gen. Hugh 7. Reid to its
command, has been changed to the District
Of Cairo, with headquarters for tho present
here.
a few days since on White river. between
BatesvIl1e and Duval's Bluff, and came down
| stream bottom up, n total loss. Her wreck
| ran into the steamer Hoymer, ut Duyal's
| Blut, but did no damage. The cause Of the
destruction Of tho Mill Boy is unknown. She
was a small steamer.
CAIRO, Fc6. II. Memphis papers of the
18th contain nonews.
The steamer Platte Valley returned from
| Sartatia, on the Yazoo River, where she, with
| other transports and gunboats, with por-
| tion Of S1erman's expedition, were attacked
| on the 5th by force OF some 5000 Texan
| troops, who, with artillery and musketry,
fired Into the transports, wounding six SOL
diers. A fight ensued, In which our infantry
and gunboats participated, resulting in the
development and driving Of the enemy, with
what loss Is unknown. Eight Of our men
| were killed and 50 wounded.
| The 11th Illinois cavalry and negro infan-
! try were engaged In this affair. The enemy
were also driven from Mechanicsville with
ont loss to us. A sick negro soldier belong
Ing to Col. Woods command, struggled from
| the regiment and Was murdered by the reb-
| els. 4 lieutenant and two privates, who
| committed the deed, were captured, and Col
Wood, in retaliation, had them blindfolded,
| caused them to kneel upon the dead body Of
the negro they murdered, when they were
| shot.
Col. Andrews, Sd Minnesota, commanding
at Little Rock, has been made Brigadier Gen
eral. Ills regiment has rc-enllstcd 4 por'
tion OF them arrived here to-day, en- route for
| the front.
are coming into our lines in large numbers.
Eight regiments arc forming, and two ol
them are allied.
Descrtcrs from Priccfs army relate that nc
knowledge Of IN amnesty proclamation exist
cd among Price's men, and expressed the
| opinion that Us soon us they know It's conlt
tions there will soon be little left Of his army