OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

[Inclosure.]

CAIRO, ILL., August 23, 1861

The steamboat Samuel Orr, running as the regular mail-boat from Evansville to Paducah was, on the 22nd of August, 1861, forcibly taken by a mob at Paducah, Ky., from the crew in command, and taken up the Tennessee River. The boat was new, and worth $15,000. It had on board a miscellaneous cargo, worth about $10,000. The principal owners are citizens of Evansville , and the actors in the seizure were Captain Johnson, late commander of the steamboat W.B. Terry, White Fowler, A.M. Winston and about 40 or 50 other persons, we believe all citizens of Paducah. Several shots were fired by the assailants, wounding two persons.

We were all of us hurriedly driven from the boat, without allowing us (except in one or two instances) the privilege of bringing away our clothing or baggage.

It is but justice to say that some of the leading citizens of the town were loud in their condemnations of this act, but no measures were taken, as far as we know, to prevent it.

Respectfully,

W.H. McCLURG, Captain, THOMAS DE SOUCHET, Clerk.

W.H. LONGNECKER, Clerk.

F.F. DE SOUCHET, Clerk.

A.J. DUNCAN, Esq.

ROBERT REDDEN, Esq.

Numbers 3. Report of Commander R.N. Stembel, U.S. Navy.

U.S. GUNBOAT LEXINGTON, Cairo, August 22, 1861

COLONEL: Agreeably to your verbal order, communicated to me at midnight of the 21st instant, I got under way, and proceeded to Paducah, Ky., where I arrived at 7.03 a.m. The gentleman you placed on board to designate the steamer employed in the rebel trade and carrying their flag pointed out the W.B. Terry as being the vessel thus illegally engaged. I ran alongside of her, cut out, made her fast to the Lexington, and immediately returned to this anchorage and placed her in your possession. I was not opposed in the performance of this duty by either the citizens of Paducah or the officers and crew of the Terry, for the latter, evidently suspecting my object, left the boat hastily, with such articles of clothing as were at hand. I was therefore unsuccessful in capturing any of them.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R.N. STEMBEL, Commander, U.S. Navy.

Colonel OGLESBY, Commander Military Post, Cairo, Ill.