The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-06-03
FROM NORTH ALABAMA.

cavalry writes interesting letter to the Mobile
Tribune, which we copy:
We are at present encamped within half mile
of the Te1fTessee river, having been in the saddle
for the last three, weeks scouting the country
from luka, Miss, to the borders of Tennessee
During that time we have net the enemy in four
different engagements and We feel thrill of pride
in being able to state that every occasion the
impetuous vaor of our gallant boys have sent
them flying from the soil which they pollute with
| their presence.
The first fight occurred near Tuscumbia, in
which Capt. Cannon, with hundred men, ten
from each company, engaged force of the
enemys cavalry and infantry outnumbering him
three to one, one morning about daylight as they
were moving on towards Decatur. They instantly
drew up on seeing him and sent the Kissing bull
lets in showers amongst our boys for while, but
were unable to withstand the fiery charge of
Captain Cannon and his brave troopers, who broke
and scattered them like chaff before the wind
killing number of them without losing single
man himself and rejoiuing the main body of the
regiment the next day, bringing with him twenty
seven prisoners as trophies Of his victory. Four
of them were negroes, who, in fit of gallantry,
had thrown aside their plowshares to testify their
devotion to Uncle Abe on the "tented field" three
of whom Colonel Scott returned to their owner;
the fourth one, a notorious villain, was taken to
the battlefield and hung.
After the attack of Capt. Cannon, the enemy
retreated with such rapdity that they forgot to
take their prisoners with them, and never stopped
until they were safe on the cars, bound for Deca-
tur, where they burnt the fine railroad bridge
which spans the river at that place.
We rode leisurely along through the beautiful
scenery of North Alabama, the people welcoming
us with manifestations of delight, and hailing us
as their deliverers from insult and outrage, in
further inf tboen hot tb,,c,
upon the lovely ladies as well as the men of our
beloved South -..-,
On arriving at this place (Courtland) Col Scott
learned that there was large number of the
enemy at Athens, abont thirty miles from here,
and resolving to attack them we crossed the river
in fat-boats, on Wednesday, 10th April, and,
travelling all night the first beams of the morning
sun found US within three miles of Athens.
Col. Scott sent forward an advance guard to
attack the pickets and draw them out, throwing
the rest Of his in line of battle. The adj
vance guard consisted Of some forty men, under
Capt Leake--his own company and portion of
the Morgan Rangers-and on getting within fifty
yards of them, Capt Leake rung out the charge
and away we went, with the rapidity of lightning
right on them, the Yankees scattering to the right
and left and firing volley after voey as they ran
Capt. Leake then ordered us to return, and, in
a short ii me- anticipated, here came the
Shifdi ldeli JouelS SllStcnlHS
In the sum- breathing vengeance against the daring
rebels who owned Col Scott as their leader but
Colonel, not at all dsmayed by the formidable
array, calmly ordered Lieut. Holmes to turn
loose his hoWtzers them, and with storm Of
shot and shell We swept the woods of the cowardly
miscreants.
We pursued them at hard galop into and
through Athens. About fifty of the command,
armed with shot guns and the howitzer battery,
under Lieut-Col. Nixon, pursued them seven
miles the Huntsville road. From time to time
they ambuscaded US and made stand, and on
every occasion we dislodged them We returned
to Athens with the loss of one man killed and
two wounded On our way back we passed
eighteen or twenty of their dead bodies
At the same time that Col Nixon was sent in
pursuit with the shot-guns, Capt. Cannon was
placed in command Of the Rifles, and sent to cut
off train Of cars at Limestone, eighteen miles
distant He reached the place and after sharp
fight whipped the guard, and tore up the railroad
track before the arrival of the train and when it
came it piled up beautifully. He took twenty-one
prisoners, including two Captains, and burned
eleven cars loaded with provisions and returned to
Athens without the loss of a man.
Col. Scott thsugh it best to recross the river,
we were short of ammunition and he anticipa-
ted an early attack, and enough the next day,
when Col Scott, our artillery, and more than half
OF the regiment, had crossed Elk river, small
stream, three miles from the Tennessee, picket
came rushing in, announcing that large body of
Yankee cavalry were right US. Leut-C Col
Nixon Immediately formed US into line, when they
came, $50 strong, sweeping down iu gal
liant and magnificent charge through the open
field; but our boys, cool and collected, waited un-
til they got within 80 yards of them and then
poured a deadly fire into them, emptying fifteen
saddles of their riders and the rest flying IN dis
order ard confusion, their Colonel being mortally
wounded
IMPORTANT FROM THE WEsT-We learn from
passenger just through from Texas. that an en-
gagement between ZOO of Gen Sibleys Brigade
and 2 300 Felerals, occurred on the 10th ult at
Glorietta Canon, New Mexico Col! Scurry
commanding, had his posted on the canon
through which the Federals were compelled to
pass to communicate with Fort Craig.
About 600 of the enemy were killed and
wounded, aud less than 100 of Scurrys men,
among whom, however, we're Majors Raguet and
Shropshire killed, and Lieut.. Col Sutton mortally
wounded
Gen. Sibley's Aid-de-Camp, Capt Ochiltree,
who was bearer of dispatches from Gen. Sibley,
reported to our infoi imant that the result of the
battle Of Gloretta would be the surrender OF Fort
Craig to our forces, and the occupation OF all New
Mexico and Arizona by the Confederates es.-Jdck-
son Mississippion, Nay II
The Rector of Christ Church, New Orleans, dis