I proposed to leave Hickman, Union City, and such inconsiderable points without defense, holding only such points as are of military importance and necessary to the safety of the river. I find these small posts but dens for the smugglers, contraband dealers, and convenient for supplying the guerrillas of the interior, and am satisfied that these enemies of the public peace receive benefits and an abundance of supplies through the facilities afforded by one small garrison and loose trade regulations, much more valuable to them and disgracefully damaging to us than under their own occupation. The expedition of to-day was characterized by gallantry and good conduct of officers and men, and by freedom from casualties of any kind. Respectfully, your obedient servant, M. BRAYMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Lieut. Col. T. H. HARRIS, HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, GENERAL: The rebels went from Union City to Paducah, evidently joined by another force, arriving about 4,000 strong. Colonel Hicks had about 500 men of all kinds. Two gun-boats lay in the river. The attack began about 1 p. m. yesterday. Colonel Hicks occupied the fort. The enemy entered the town, occupying houses, from which their sharpshooters killed and wounded several of our men. The gun-boats and the fort opened upon the town. The inhabitants abandoned it, large numbers being brought across the river. The battle lasted until midnight, Colonel Hicks being severely pressed but holding his ground most gallantly. The enemy then retired, with loss of several hundred killed and wounded. The town, being occupied by the rebels, was mostly destroyed and is still in flames. A dispatch from Captain Odlin, my adjutant, advises me that the attack is expected to be renewed. I have, however, sent re-enforcements, which are on the spot, and supplies are on the way. The gun-boats performed good service, and suffered from sharpshooters. General Veatch is moving from the wharf, and will aid if needed. I have not particulars; the fight severe, and the conduct of Colonel Hicks noble. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. BRAYMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. S. A. HURLBUT, HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, Cairo, Ill., March 26, 1864—5 p. m. GENERAL: The rebels have been beaten at Paducah. Captain Odlin, my assistant adjutant-general, informs me, since mine to you at 12 m. to-day, that their loss is Brig. Gen. A. P. Thompson and 300 men; wounded not known. I It appears that it was Faulkner, without artillery, with 1,500 infantry who took Union City, while Forrest with 4,000 and a battery were going to Paducah, and that they united in the attack. am advised of 12 killed and 40 wounded on our side; it will probably exceed that. Forrest sent flag of truce three times, threatening no quarter if refused. Colonel Hicks and his command have behaved in the most gallant manner. The report says: "The negroes fought bravely, and worked the siege guns splendidly.' The two gun-boats, as they always do, did their work well. The rebels held the town, and from buildings near the fort annoyed the garrison. I am gratified to inform you that the town was shelled and made a ruin over their heads. Colonel Hicks had warned the people of the probable necessity of doing this, their rebel instincts rendering it quite certain that the town would have not been thus occupied without their consent. Under these circumstances the result is important, and the damage to the town to be scarcely regretted. The enemy retreated toward Mayfield. I am warned to watch for a demonstration upon Columbus, perhaps Cairo. The line is already down between here and Columbus. The whole force there for duty is 988; of all kinds here, 218. Paducah had 408. The Fourth Division has left. General Veatch will stop at Paducah a few hours. His orders from General Sherman to move being imperative he could not promise to delay, but did give me hope of aid if attacked here. You are aware that Mound City and Cairo supply our river navy, and, to a large extent, our army below; to lose these would be a repetition on a greater scale of Holly Springs. I do not expect to lose either point, but do consider the danger imminent. Where is Grierson's Ford? I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Maj. Gen. S. A. HURLBUT, M. BRAYMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Commanding Sixteenth Army Corps. [Inclosures.] Extract made from [log of] Steam-boat Tycoon. Paducah was in flames when this boat passed at 8 a. m. (26th). Gun-boats were patrolling the river in front of the city. Steamer White Cloud was a short distance below the city on the Kentucky shore unloading troops. Steamers Louisville and Iowa were ferrying citizens across to the Illinois shore. The stars and stripes were floating over the fort. Met Liberty No. 2 at Metropolis. H. A. SWEET, Clerk. FROM NORTH SIDE OF RIVER, Lieutenant MASON, Cairo: The troops from Cairo just arrived. The enemy attacked us right after dinner yesterday. We only had five or ten minutes' notice of their approach. They attacked us in the fort about 1.30 or 2 o'clock, but we kept them off. After firing on us for some time, they sent in a flag of truce demanding surrender, and if not complied with, he would make an assault on fort, and no quarter would be given. The colonel answered that he would obey his superior officer's order and not surrender. Their main force then retired into the center of the town to pilfer and plunder, while their sharpshooters kept in houses near the fort, picking off our men. There are about 10 or 12 of our side killed, and 40 wounded; on the rebels' 200 to 300, among whom is the rebel Colonel Thompson. His head was knocked off his shoulders. The negroes fought bravely, and worked the siege guns splendidly. They burned headquarters and quartermaster's buildings. Our forces are burning town nearest the fort. The gun-boats did good execution. Might say we ran out of ammunition, and could not have held out long. Fortunate they did not make an assault. They ceased firing at 11 o'clock last night. I had not time to fix my wires till they surrounded us. My office and property are safe. No officers killed. OPERATOR. Maj.-Gen. S. A. HURLBUT, COLUMBUS, Ky., March 27, 1864-11.30 a. m. Commanding Sixteenth Army Corps, Memphis, Tenn. : DEAR GENERAL: General Veatch declined aid and left Paducah at daylight this morning. Faulkner, after taking Union City with 1,500 men, went to Hickman, robbed it, and last night was on his way to meet Forrest, who was to join him after taking Paducah. Scouts just in and Hawkins' men who escaped from Faulkner on the way to Hickman, tell the same story, and Colonel Hicks telegraphed me at 10 this morning that his scouts say the same. Forrest is evidently coming back according to arrangements without succeeding at Paducah. If not too much crippled, their presence here may be expected. I came down in the night with all the men not on provost duty at Cairo, only 200 however, and shall stay until the result transpires. I regret the smallness of my force, but shall do very well with this. Do not be disturbed if Grierson is within your call. Can he not cut off this force while in this corner? They are taking horses and property in the interior. I can only take care of the river. Colonel Hicks telegraphed me that his scouts killed the rebel guerrilla Colonel Crampman [Crossland ?] and 7 of his men 6 miles south of Mayfield at 10 o'clock last night. Respectfully, yours, M. BRAYMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, COLONEL: After parting with General Hurlbut at 3 a. m. of the 25th, I returned to Cairo in time to look to Paducah. I borrowed two regiments of General Veatch and sent them up. Colonel Hicks and the gun-boats had beaten the enemy in a series of desperate engagements before the aid arrived. After daylight on Saturday, the 26th, the enemy came up but made no attack. Colonel Hicks not having reported, I cannot furnish authentic particulars. On the night of the 26th demonstrations again were made toward Columbus. I went down with all the men that could be spared from this place-about 200; no attack followed, but during the next day I had information of the presence of the enemy at Moscow and Clinton, 10 miles out, and of their disposition to attack during the night of Sunday. They did not, but fell back to Mayfield. Fearing another attack on Paducah, I returned and advised Colonel Hicks, sending him ammunition and supplies. He, last night at 8.30, telegraphed me that they were again approaching, and that he had drawn the convalescents into the fort and was ready. The Westmoreland, with the First Alabama Cavalry, had just left for the Tennessee. She was ordered by telegraph to report to Colonel Hicks. The Fortieth Illinois Infantry (Colonel Hicks' regiment) being here awaiting transportation home by rail, was put on board the Raymond, and at 5 this a. m., in time for an attack just impending, reported, adding about 800 men to Colonel Hicks' means of defense. It is now noon, and I have no further information. I am satisfied from the concentration of the enemy at Mayfield, from their threats and plans made known to me by those hearing them, and from the reports of Colonel Hicks, that they intend an attack. Their parties, their spies, and scouts are near us on the opposite bank. Some have been across, and the utmost vigilance is necessary, as they seem disposed to tire us out, catch us unprepared at some point, and retrieve their loss. I have information just from Columbus about 500 furloughed rebels in the vicinity to concentrate to-day. I think all will go south without further attack. I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, M. BRAYMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Lieut. Col. T. H. HARRIS, CAIRO, ILL., April 16, 1864–9 p. m. Fort Pillow destroyed, evacuated, and guns removed. The river is clear. The transports accumulated here are going down. A gunboat lies off Fort Pillow to protect them. The printed accounts of the massacre fall short of the reality. An investigation and report will be made. The enemy still threaten Paducah and Columbus, but cannot take them. One hundred guerrillas fired on gun-boat opposite Metropolis last night without effect. Memphis undisturbed, but guerrillas along the river. M. BRAYMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. ADJUTANT-GENERAL UNITED STATES. CAIRO, ILL., June 6, 1864. SIR: I transmit herewith a printed copy of my report of operations in the District of Cairo during my brief command. For convenience, to save writing, it was printed, not published. I am desirous that the evident inadvertence through which I am out of command may be corrected. When I reported to General Sherman at Vicksburg the subject of my going to Natchez was mentioned, but that had been provided for, and I was assigned to General Hurlbut and to Cairo. Now I am, though not relieved, superseded. Yours, &c., Lieut. Col. R. M. SAWYER, M. BRAYMAN, Brigadier-General of Volunteers. Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CAIRO, SIR: I beg leave, respectfully, to report operations within this district during the period of my command: On March 16, being then at Memphis, I was assigned by Special Orders, No. 61, headquarters Sixteenth Army Corps, to the District of Cairo, relieving Brig. Gen. Hugh T. Reid. Arriving at 3 a. m. of the 19th, I entered upon duty at 11 the same morning, headquarters being at Cairo. My command comprised the rivers from the mouth of the Tennessee to Island 10, 160 miles, with interior territory in Western Kentucky and Tennessee. Occupied places, with the force at each, were as follows: Paducah, Col. S. G. Hicks, 408 men; Cairo, Col. J. I. Rinaker, 231 men; Columbus, Col. William H. Lawrence, 998 men; Hickman, Capt. J. W. Cogswell, 51 men; Island 10, Capt. R. M. Ekings, 162 men; Union City, Col. I. R. Hawkins, 479 men; aggregate, 2,329 men. About three-fourths of these men were colored-a portion of them, say 500— not yet mustered into service, and commanded by officers temporarily assigned awaiting commission. Of the white troops at river posts, one-half were on detached local duty, as guards, &c. The fortifications were in a broken condition, unfinished and neglected. Guns were dismounted and otherwise unfit for service. Ammunition was deficient and defective. A body of cavalry at Paducah were not mounted, and only part of those at Union City. Mound City, attached to the post of Cairo, 8 miles above, on the Ohio, was guarded by some 50 invalids; that was the naval station and depot of the Mississippi Squadron, where gun-boats received their repairs, armaments, crews, and supplies. Public property averaging $5,000,000 in value was constantly at that point. Capt. A. M. Pennock was in charge. At Cairo, also, in addition to a naval wharfboat and other floating depositories of arms, munitions, and naval supplies for the Western Navy, amounting to many millions in value, were transports and shipping laden with army supplies. In a word, the operations of the army and navy of the Mississippi and its dependencies on either side depended upon the safety of the public property at the two points named. The river towns and those portions of Kentucky and Tennessee not in possession or under the shadow of our arms, were under insurrectionary control. Between those rebels who had taken the oath and remained within our lines and their brothers who were in arms without, full fraternity and correspondence existed. I found the interior portions of the district, therefore, infested by armed bands of guerrillas, engaged in murder and pillage, and supplied by their |