Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-28
FROM CAIRO.

CAIRo, March 26.
The reports circulated here this morning
that the rebels under Forrest attacked Pa
ducah, Kentucky, fifty miles above here
yesterday, and burned part of the town,
but as the telegraphic Communication is
cut Of, 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 pass
ed two hours later, bring the following
account Of affairs Forrest with sn esti-
mated force Of 5000, captured the place at
two o'clock yesterday afternoon, sacked
and fired the city.
= Colonel Heck, commanding post, ocou-
pied the fort below the city with about 800
men.
The rebels made four assaults on the
fort and were repulsed each time.
Our gunbosts opened on the city during
its occupation by the rebels, much Of
which was burned, including the Marine
RsilWey, the steamer Arizonia and the
wharf boat.
From 1000 to 5000 Inhabitants Of the
city moved across the river upon learning
the approach Of the rebels.
When tho Pearce psssedst seven O'Clock
in the morning the enemy had left. The
people were returning to the city and the
fires were dying out. The amount Of pub
lie and private property destroyed is as
yet unknown, but is supposed to be large.
Our loss is twelve killed and forty wound
ed. One hundred and fifty rebels were
reported killed, among them General
Thompson. Twenty-Five houses around
the fort were destroyed by our troops,
they being used for the rebel sharpshoot-
er's headquarters. The government store
houses were burned by the enemy.
Reporters have gone to Psduosh and
will furnish correct information.
A dispstch from Columbus, Kentucky,
says Forrest and Faulkner ere between
that place and Msyfeld. Their forces are
in q crippled condition. Their strength is
much greater than at first estimated.
Msyfeld is said to be full of rebel wound
ed from Paducah. 1900 to 1900 are said
to have arrived there.
One regiment lost 101 and one company
so killed.
The rebels were marching towards Clin.
ton ct last accounts.
Should they attack Columbus they Will
receive still warmer reception than ct
Psducah.
The steamer Perry was fred into while
passing Hickman yesterday. The town
was full Of rebels. A great number Of
shots were fred but nobody hurt.
The steamer Graham brought up 600
men from New Madrid, who charged
through the town, but the rebels had fed.
They belonged to Fsulkner's command.
Three hundred rebels were killed ct
Psducsh and one thousand wounded.
Several citizens Of the place were killed
during the fight. The city is nearly in
ruins.
The steamer Dsssrck was burned ct
Duvsps 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 & Ogden,
valued at Sc, 600 and insured for 5000.
John Kelley was arrested yesterday for
passing counterfeit 500 Treasury notes.
A dispatch from Psducsh says that the
home guards surprised and captured Colo
mel Croslan and seven Of his guerrillas,
near MaVheld