, 1862-05-28

McGAy1c's LANDING. Arkanaaa.
May g. 1862.
Tic expeditionazy force intended to CO.
operate with the tlotilla In the reduction OF
Fort Pillow, has failed to accomplish the ex-
rected end, and to-day leave for their old po-
si,ions up the river. This is notifying to al
concerned, from General to private, and curses
not loud, but deep, are heard all about our
ercampment. AS tile occasion for reticence
il passed, and as no harm can now ensue from
tie exposure Of the plans entertained by the
projectors, propose briefly to expose the
precise object Of the
ExPEb1TIoS
It was known from the reports Of scouts
AID others, that there Vas 10 insurmonntable
obstacle which prevented the plscing
Of Federal battery on the Arkansas
ST. orc opposite Fulton. This WAS fur
further demonstrated by the extended
reconnaissance successfully conducted by
Coils. Fitch aud Hogg, on Wednesday. Had
our plans remained undiscovered BY the enc
my, It Vas intended to have p1aced the battery.
to open upon the batteries st Fulton early
Friday morning, Although by this step no
intention or expectation was entertained of
reducing the fort, it was thought we should
be able to control the navigation Of the river,
aud prevent the arrival Of Endorsements aud
cooperative land force would land on the Ten
ntssee shore, about twenty-five miles above
the Landing, whence dry road Leads directly
to the fort, and make denomination upon
the enemy's rear. At q time to be agreed
upon b Gen Quimby aud Commodore Davis,
simultaneous attack was to have been made
upon the fort, which, with its troops, guus
ald supplies, It was expected, would fall into
cur hands like ripe pear. Agunboat would
somehow run the blockade and steam up the
thus rendering their capture Inevitable Every
Avenue Of escape would be closed, and no al
tentative left them but unconditional surren-
der. But the ''best laid schemes Of mice aud
men aft gang aglce;" and SO it proved in this
Instance.
SECOND REcoNsoIssAEOE-
Not content With the full aud complete re-
hundred mcn he.ded by Gen Qu1mby and
Col Fitch went :over the ground, second
time, on Thursday, and, in full vieS OF the
1oft, constructed q. road upon the levee to a,
point nearly opposite the Notifications: Col.
Fitch then went with Gen. Quimby to Fulton,
and the gunbo1ts. This unnecessary demon-
s'taeon, attracted the enemy's attention, aud
Ibmedlafely he opened his PORTFOLIOS and mn
l'1neeFed his field pieces and for time there
was proepect OF general hombaIdHent- A
dozen shell were thrown at them which ex-
t p1cded in the woods long distance to the
| Esr- 4 gunboat speedily raised stesm and
starting for the Arkansas shore compelled the
haEty retreat Of the doughty commanders.
This demonstration Of course put period to
| operations fer this day.
4 SEIHMISH-
At dark, q. picket guard Of q hundred men,
dctailed from the. Eth aud S4th Indiana, were
sent to guard the levee. No demonstrations
we're made BY tile enemy till about three
two hundred were lanl,ded Tor on : the be Point, sud
Immediately there was sharp skirmishing
along our entire line. One man. 3 private o1
CO. T., 3ath Indiana. named Frank Hurry,
formerly Of Madison county, Ind, was shot
dead. He vas patro1ling his beat and came
p! minded the countessign. he refused, and