Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-25

CAIRO, March "A.
The ram Avenger arrived this morning
from the mouth Of Red River, where she
was met by the gunboat Cricket, from
which she received dispatches from Rear
Admiral Porter to return to the feet,
which reached the Atehsfslays River on
Monday, the 18th, whore General A. ].
Smiths force disembsrked to operate on
land against Fort de Russey, where Dick
Taylor was encsmped with force Of H.
250 men.
As soon as Taylor heard Of Smiths
landing, he attempted to reach his rear and
attack him. Skirmishing commenced on
the exact whereabouts Of the army. Be-
ing informed Of Tsylor's design, he ex-
claimed, Now for q race between the reb-
els and the United States TO the fort" By
quick movement, Smith with his army,
scoeeded In reaching Fort De Russy, three
hours before Taylor came up. A charge
was made, and some fighting occurred, du-
ring which the federsls had about forty
killed and wounded.
The fort was easily taken, with two hun
dred and eighty-three prisoners, one eleven
inch gun which the rebels had taken of
the guubost Indisnols, and mounted, also
two thirty-pound Parotts from the ram
Queen Of the West, two long thirty-tWos
from the Harriet Lane, and four other
guns.
The feet in the meantime steamed up
Red River, and the EsstpOrt fred two
shots.
After the capture Of the fOrtiAcstiOns,
the expedition moved on to Alexsndris,
where the boats lSy when the Cricket left.
The Cairo News publishes the following
list Of vessels said to compose the feet Of
Admiral PorteFs Red River Fleet:
Fort Hinmsn, guns; Cricket, 6 guns (;
Lafayette, 9 guns; Neosho, Sguus; Ozark,
guns; Eastport, 9 guns; Choctsw, 8
guns; Usage, 8 guns Chillioothe, 8 guns /;
Louisville, IA guns; CarondOlet, IA guns /;
Benton, 1s guns; Pittsburgh, IA guns /;
Gszelle, guns; Mound City, IA guns I;
General Price, guns; Lexington, guns {;
0uchitta, SO guns; Black Hawk, IA guns.
OF these the Usage and Ozark are turretted
vessels. They are all iron-clsds except
the Ouchitts, Black Hawk, and Lexington;
these are formidable wooden vessels, and
the latter is one Of the three just put in
commission on the Mississippi. They are
partially plated. The balance are de-
nominated .iron-clads. AutocrsL John
Rsine, Baltic, Diana, and the hospital
boat Woodford Of the marine brigade &C.
company the expedition; also 15 trans
ports.
The rebel force is estimated ct 1000,
with artillery, under General Forrest.
They had advanced as far as Abian River
last night ct three O'clock. This morning
their advance drove in our pickets south
Of Union City, and later in the morn ing
they cut off our Communication with CO.
lumbus, Kentucky, by destroying the
railroad, cutting the telegraph wires and
burning the bridges.
Our forces have gone to meet them and
firing in the direction Of Union City was
heard at Columbus this morning.
An adequate force under General Brsy-
man left this morning for Columbus, thence
to meet the enemy.
AdVices from Columbus up to three
O'Clock this afternoon furnish nothing
new.
Traders ssyif New Orleans was allowed
to furnish Government supplies adequate
to the demand now existing within the
Federal lines, the stock on hand would
not last month.
The Free State Executive Committee
have called meeting to be held on the
evening Of the 18th to elect immediate
emancipation delegates to the convention.
The Executive Committee passed reso-
luton recommending voters stprsliminary
meetings TO support no man not favorable
to emancipation.
The steamer Hannibal, from New Or
leans the evening Of the 18th, arrived TO-
night with 2sO hOEshssds Of sugar, 200 bar