New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-04-29
FROM KENTUCKY.
The Military situntion-Forrest Holds
o.scssion-C Compulsory Inactivity OF
Our Forces-Gens. Hurlbut aud Grier-
son-The Fort Pillow Bufchery-Tbe
Burning OF the Qunrtermaster-steani
crs on the Mississippi River Fired Into.


CoLuABUs KY, April 81 1864.
The order issued Immediately upon the Rebel
capture of Fort Pillow, prohibiting steamers from
coming below Cairo, and similar order Issued at
Memphis fobdding them to leave that port until fur
Their notice prevented communication with the North
for two or three days. and although boats are again ply
ing between Memphis and Cairo, 1t will be day ortwo
before the different packets fall into their regular
time.
The situation IN this district is not well unicrtood,
but what little is known OF it is certainly humiating.
Forrest holds complete and but weakly disputed posses
sion OF the region of country north nf the NJ and e. b.
and between the Tennessee and Mississippi RWers
cepting the posts Of Memphis, Columbus and Paducah
scouting party passing beyond the picket lines eur
rounding these posts is not surprised come upon On
sBomy within the next furlong Squads OF Rebel cav
airy constantly the wing, securing the county
in search Of conscpts eyyng contributions upon the
inhabitants, picking up tie few remaining horses ana
merlessly exhausng the country OF the already sean
means Of subsistence. At the same tine We are con
strained FOR OF men TO remain on the defensive
only confident Of ability 20 cope with the enemy
while the inside Of earthworks True, Griefson
il out north OF Memphis, but 10 very Ito purpose We
have yet 10 learn that he has made any offensive demon
straton beyond following in the track u the enemy, not
daring. from sheer paucity Of Numbers. 10 venture
within fighting distance. Watcher or not he might
have accomplished more than be has is not !Or me TO
say.
Forces, has probably many 1000 men north VI
the N and C. Railroad. al mounted; while We with
comparatively small number Of cavalry 10 watch his
movements and with extensive river limo TO guard,
are, iruu the force II circumstances compelled to re-
main in garrison and patiently wait for tho enemy 10
develop bis own Intentions. Thus il was that Forrest
WA able 20 march upon Padgcah without moicsiallon
Ia either 'front.' Thus IL was that lie was able to
show q threatening front before Acmphis Columbus,
and PaGurah While nj the time be- attacked Fort
Pillow with Bis main army and captured and bu!chercd
the garrison.
Everything indicates ~ immediate sna radical change
In the orgnn inn Of our focs in this snd adjoining
military dstrit The relieving of Gen. HurlIni. with
orders 10 20 north looks oninous FOR that officer while
the severe ccnsure Of Grcnons apparent inactivity r.
Gently which Is heard I'll sides viii undoubtedly
occasion rigid scrutiny 81 bis operations since he VIA
PUT upon Forests track.
The thrill Of horror which shocked every person upon
hearing Of the uhuman atrocities perpetrated ot Fort
Pillow has been succeeded by deep and settled deter
mnatlon among our rctaate to the full capacity
Of ire bayone and sabre. They swear they will never
spare the life Of another Of FORESTS men, aud II
was with difficulty that they prevented from Orc-
ing al entrance into Irving Block prison in hcmphis
and killing .Ich OF them were confined there at the
time oi the ma~acTe.
Just after the affair Of Font Pillow. and while The
Rebls were resting from the fatigue OF numbering the
sarrisor there was report quietly circulated among
few that The Post QuaTcrmaster had been nailed TO
plank snd thus east into burning building NoTith.
standing evidences Of Rebel inhumanity TO b. seen on
all sides in the Iuutsied bodies OF white and black
soldier and even coloed women and children, yonr cor
respondent would give no credit 10 the story.
Tie undeulabe details were horrifing enough with
out the addition of this rumor which was improbable
from IL almost unheard OF bATblity 70 the further dis.
ace az possible OF the army under FORESTS com
msnd that report has been confirmed. Lieut.. Aker-
straw Post Qusrtermaster tied hand and foot
nailed TO plank against the side OF burning building
and left 10 die from slow torture.
Herd, boat passes up or down the river between
Cairo and Memphis that il not iIcd into. Tie steamer
Hope Nas attacted twice on her last trip to Memphis
The Emma vus fred INFO neur Fort Pillow. while going
down: the Golden Gate was stopped at point only u
miles ADORE Memphis coming up. boarded aud boa;
and passengers robbed while outrages ola less serious
nature are of dniy occurrence. Navigation Of The
Mississippi between Memphis and Cairo has never
before shoi Of an actual blockade been in 10 pre-
Curious condition. D. j. d.