2

Gen. Grant's Expedition.

More than a week has now elapsed since the departure of troops from Cairo for some point in Southern Kentucky. Various circumstances have tended to delay the expedition, and it cannot yet be said to have fairly started. The greatest secresy is preserved by the officers in reference to the destination of the expedition, and few besides them know anything about it. We think, however, it is now pretty well settled that no immediate attack is to be made upon Columbus, as, notwithstanding the prodigious statement of the telegraph operator at Cairo, we cannot ascertain that the force is any thing like large enough for such an undertaking.

The troops which left Cairo on the 9th were almost exclusively Illinois regiments, embracing the Tenth, Col. Morgan; Eighteenth, Col. Lawler; Twenty-seventh, Col. Fouke; Twenty-ninth, Col. Rearden; Thirtieth, Col. Buford; Thirty-first, Col. Logan; Forty-eighth, Col. Haynie; besides the Second and Fourth Illinois Cavalry; Stewart's and Harnett's detached companies of cavalry; and Schwarte's and Dresser's batteries — in all about seven thousand men and twelve pieces.

In addition to the above a large force left Paducah our Wednesday, under Gen. Smith, but we are totally without advices as to its numerical strength. This is a column to co-operate with Gen. Grant, and our later intelligence would seem to show that it has already encountered, some resistance to its advance. In a few days Cairo and Paducah will be reinforced largely by regiments now on their way and under orders to proceed thither.

By some it is thought that there is a design to seize and occupy Union City for the purpose of holding the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and at the right time to make a demonstration on Columbus, in connection with the fleet.