The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-09-11


airy, all under command of Capt Phelps.
of the Navy. We went down the Mis-
sissippi River distance of288 miles, and
on our way down. landed at Mihkin's
Bend. Louisiana, where we completely
routed the Louisiana Regiment, running
them 10 Richmo Station, distance of
ten miles from the Bend, where they
were completely scattered to the woods
aud corn6OldS, and after shelling the
woods and corn6elds 10 that vicinity. we
destroyed tie railroad bridge by chop.
ping it down, burnt number of cars aud
the depot, with large amount Of army
equipage, as we had no way Of transpor
tation, therefore compelled to burn it or
leave it in the bands of the enemy, after
which we returned to their camp, where
we had captured the steamerFairplay, with
about 5000 stand ofarms, and considerable
amount of equipage and ammunition; also
the entire camp equipage of the Regi-
ment, and about 500 double. e.barrel shot
guns. together with abou, fifty prisoners.
The Regiment had been organized there,
and discovering our approach they fed
TO prevent capture. some not even taking
time 10 dress themselves. as we landed
little before sunrise on the morning of the
18th. The boys seemed almost spelling for
a fight, yet the rebels would not give
them an opportunity to display their gal
antry. The number of secesh known TO
be killed here was seven; we did not loose
a man. After loading the captured pro-
petty, we boarded the boats and passed
on down the Mississippi till We got
glimps OF Vicksburg. and as we had not
intended to attack Yicksburg, We turned
and came up to the mouth of Yazoo river,
where the officers held consultation, aud
it was determined 10 make reconnaissance ce
up the Yazoo river, the force TO consist oi
two gunboats. three rams, and in addition,
three hundred infantry, l5O from 10th
Regiment, and $50 from 58lh Ohio and
portion OF officers from each Regiment,
among which was one The men we're dl.
vided equally on the 3 rams to strengthen
the crew of each. All things being in
readiness we started off about noon OF the
10Th, vent up the river about % miles,
whenwe discovered some secesh on shore.
which was Immediately fred upon by the
gunboat Benton. when the secesh broke
and fed as il their eternal happiness or
woe depended upon the sWietness Of their
heels. We then landed and imagine our
surprise on finding there four large siege
pieces and two brass field pieces, and al.
most any amount of shot. shell, powder
and army equipage We loaded the
two brass pieces on tie ram Monarch
and charged the sege guns SO a. to
burst on their being discharged, which
was done carly on the morning Of the
Goth. We loaded ABOARD the Monarch all
the ammunition suitable for our guns and
DESTROYED the remainder by throwing it
into the river. This being dona, we
boarded and passed up the river to the
mouth of the Big SunAower, where we
divided, part going up the SuuAOwer and
part up the Yazoo, The gunboats aud
ram Monarch going up the Yazoo, had
not proceeded far, when they were com
PEELED to turn back on account Of low wa.
tel, therefore returned TO Hanes' Bluff.
where we had made the capture on the
10th, there waiting the return of the Lii.
oness and Sampson, which had went up
the Sunaowor. being aboard the Samp.
son with my company,and learnIed by in-
formation from Captain Porter, we were
within few miles of Lake George, when
we were also compelled 10 turn back on
account Of low water. We however made
no farther discoveries. When bere,w were
about 65 miles from the mouth of the
Yazoo. We then turned back TO the gun
boats at Hanes' Bluff, and finding all quiet
there, passed down to the Mississippi and
there joined the remainder Of the feet
on the 2ist, and came up to Green,
vile, where we had skirmish on the
cath, with secesb Cavalry. Here as usual,
we only saw the chivalry in time to give
them parting salute, which was done iu
very handsome style by the Benton. Ne.
vertheless we landed and fouId We had
killed one man q badly frightened great
many more. After scouting in pursuit
OF the enemy, burning some hay and equip,
age. we parIook OF some secesh MELONS
and peaches for the benefit Of our health
We again boarded ahd came up to Bolivar
where We again landed and offered the
secesh fight, but they declined the com
pliment. We we're then stationed along
the levy, but these impts Of Satan still
refused to 6gh, us The General then or
dered the cavalry forward in pursuit of
them, sheling the woods in the direction
Of the retreating rebels, portion OF
which soon returned with several prison.
ers. the others were fred upon by some
bushwhackers aud compelled to fall back
with the loss Of two killed aud four
wounded. The brigade was Immediately
ordered forward, the 58th Regiment by
the front with two pieces oi artillery. and
the76ih Regimen. immediately. in the rear
Of the artillery, marching in column. We
passed through one Of the most 'psue.ra-
BILE thicksts ever saw, nevertheless the
boys cheerfully obeyed. but the secesb
skedaddled and left US in complete and
lupdlsPuted possession Of the field. After