, 1864-03-28

CAIRO, March Is.
Reports were numerous in the city this morning
concerning big fight that had taken place at Pa
dueah, and the destruction Of thetown. The facts,
as we have obtained them from the best authority.
arc these:
The Rebels, after leaving Union City, were JOIN
cd By another detachment, 20 that their combined
foEee numbered 500 strong. They are reported to
hive been commanded By Forrest hlu1pclt. With
this force be made dash into Paducah At p. m
Of the 25th. The place WAS defended By Colonel
Hicks, with about COO men In all. There were also
two gunboats in the river. Immediately after tbs
enemy entered the town. their eharpshooters, shell
tered BY houses, commenced to pick of our men
in the fort, and the gnnboats Immediately opened
upon the town. The Inhabitants left It az quickly
possible, most Of them crossing orer the river.
The fight lasted from p m. ttll midnight during
which time Col. Hicks and his braTe band displayed
great ga1lantty, and were materially aided BY the
gunboats, when the rebels having lost several hun-
dred In killed and wounded, were compelled to re-
tire. Our troops being protected By fortHcations,
our loss WAS comparatively light
It was expected that the fight would be renewed
this morning, but reinforrements have been sent
from this place, which arc known to hare reached
there, and no fears need be entertained Of the re-
suit. Supplies hare also been sent. A large num-
Der Of houecs hare been burned and considerable
property destroyed. This could not be avoided, ad
the enemy occnpied hnuses. They could be driven
out only By destroying the buildings that sheltered
them.
The fight was seyere, ind the conduct Of the
Union forcce, both officers and men, was all that
could bE desired.
The rebel Col. Thompson WAS Killed. His head
mas taken of by cannon ball.
The rebel loss wxs very severe.
There Is Tumor that several women and chill
I.ov I'LL Il A-3
A portion Of our forces were regular troops, and
fought splxndidy, working the siege guns admi-
rab1y.
Our loss, as reported, ,was IL killed and 20 wound-
ed. The rebels acknowledge a0O Killed and wound
ed.
The headquarters and Quartcrmaetc1's .bui'd-
ing were burned by. the enemy: They
sent IT, ss Of tEass At three separate ttmes DE-
Co1one! in command replied that he could not see
snrrendc5. The rebels: were commanded by For
res, Backncr and Thompson, tho hitter Of whom
than G, ,000- At 1ast accounts they had retired on
Mayhead. Our toree In the fort hsd nearly run on
Of ammunition, bnt 4 supply has been sent up
CARo, March 26. Reports we're received here at
o'elock ,his morhine, to the effect that rebel
force under Forrest, several thousand strong, was
Very little doubt Exists thst COL Hicks, COM
1nand!ns there, has destroyed the city by burning
ii, as be some dme since tarned ite Inhabitants he
would do, should he agHfn be menaeed.
Came. March "a Forrest made an attack on
Paducah Last night. Col. Hicks and his force occu
pied the fort, and our gunboats commenced q rig
the buildings On Front street were in flames.
.6rnuSoFiEIp, March e6.-Gen. julius White has
Just received the following dispatch from General
ETay1nau, Who commands at Cairo:
cA1no, March a6, 1868.
Tia enamy, 1000 strong, attacked Paducah yes
terday. Ttcy occupied the town Col. Hicks,
With 6o9 men and two sunboats. fought and beat
them. the battle closing at midnight. Paducah
xas battered by artillery. and is stn IN flames.
The defenEe was Gallant one. Re1nfnrcemcnts
have gone up to meet new attack, but I think
HickE 1ms finished the contest
! fSicued) H. BnATYAH.
Byisadier General Commanding.
Tod. White, Brigadier General
SPRINGFIELD, H., March 20.
To Adtutant Gen. a. c. Fuller, fremont House,
Chicago:
G. T. Chase, Sanitary Agent at Cairo, telegraphs
as follows:
.Paducah was sacked and burned by Forrest yes
tctday. 0ur forces had the garrison at o'clock
this morning: Thre thousand citizens are on the
opposite bank without food Or clothing.
E. p. N1LEs.