New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-30


from sheer exhaustion soon after leaving Coheevile,
they would no doubt have come upon US IN camp;
and, with more than double our number, ana per,
feet knowledge OF the country. they would have haq
Us at great disadvantage. On Monday morning
broke camp four miles beyond Charleston ana
marched to Mitchelrs Crossroads, twelve miles IRON
the mouth of Codwater, where we found thai Geh'
Hoyey had sent forward TO that point about wv IN
fantry, with four field pieces. had scarcely arrived
at Mitchells Crossroads whenword came INTO csuf
that two companies of infantry, sent ont Oy Noi'
Spicely on the Pamela Road picket were hght-
ing, and in danger of being cut OIL Without ah
instants waiting, threw my force forward-Cap,'
Walker of let Indiana, with his little howitzers, IN
'front.' and Maj. Buje of 9Th Illinois Cavalry I'M
mediately following As soon as we came N
sight of the enemy, Captain Walker and
Maj. Buje brought their guns into position,
and q few well-directed shots sent the enemy
iying. The enemy was posted on the north sde OF
the Yockna, deep stream about 10 leeI "iee,
crossed by terry. immediately threW portion
Of Capt. Walkers command across the stream, VINO
pursued them lively for few miles until further
pursuit WAS useless This force was part OF Stark
cavalry. Being now entirely out OF ratlolls, L sem
In 10 the mouth OF the Coldwater, where the supply
train WAS for two DAYS Tstions TO be sent out cur
lug the night intending TO march early next morn,
ing and epdeavor TO resch Coheevllle. My men had
their horses saddled up and in readiness AT daygh
but no ratioDs came. Owing TO the breahlng down
OF wagons they md not come up so that the rttlons
COuQ be distributed DelOIo q CiOCh " Hls
TUESDAY, Dec. q it raiued necessarily all day.
Owing to the want Of rations, not being able 10
march on Coffee Vile and knowing that the enemy
were in considerable force at Panola ON the laila-
hatche, fourteen miles from my camp, where they
had fortified 10 defend the crossing, and also at Bel
mont, seven miles further up the river concluded
that would 20 up there and reconnoiter and, II
pOssbe, drive these forces away, so as to leave no
force in my rear when should move toward Conee-
vile the following day. left camp about p. ~,
Az, and a hu
miles before reaching the town, we came upon
their camp apparently very large oneb
but we found nobody TO receive us, they having
fled tie night before. sent Ma or Bu]e with the 9TH
Illinois Cavalry forward, who took possession OF the
town and CAPTURED ID few prisoners. We also ascer-
tanned from negroes who had been at work on the
Notifications at Belmont, that they abandoned their
works there, aud fled In great precipitation when
they heard OF our approach. Alter occupying Panoa
We returned same night to our camp near Mitchell s
Crossroads. did not disturb TIE railroad a. Pamela,
or burn any bridges, having rendered it useless TO
the Rebels, ana knowing we should want TO u5e II
, very shortly. The next morning early took up
/ my line OF march for Coileeville via Oakland. 1
ordered Col Spicely, who was IN command OF the
advanced infantry and artillery force, 10 throw for
, ward for my support far as Oakland six hundred
infantry and two field pieces; which he did under the
, command of Lieut.-Col. florence, Iowa Both In
fantry. The roads were very heavy and the march
was tedious. As approached Oakland, informs
ton was, that there was no enemy there, aud had
been none slpce Sunday night, but about one mile
before reaching town the advance guard from the
st Indiana come in sight Of two or three Rebel
Iickets Each party fired and the picketS fled hotiy
pursued.
| The road here was narrow and the ground or
both sides covered with q dense growth Of small
sapngs, with fence on each aide. lie advance
immediately formed in line, 80 far the nature Of
the ground would sdmit. They found the Rebels
dsmounted, and drawn up in line in large force in
most advantageous position. The advance stood
their ground manfully, and delivered Their fire th
great GOODNESS and precision After delivering their
fire, the enemy charged upon them in great force,
and the ground being such rs 10 render Impossible
for them to REFORM they were compelled TO ia back
about 300 yards, TO III opening where was able 10
deploy to the H. ht ana left OF tho road bupposing
that this force was the large cavalry force has occn
MED Oakland On Sunday night ielt inpeled 70
move with much caution and beat up the woods a.
proceeded. This occupied some little time, we III
the mean havin got our howitzers IN poeition
aud shelled tho woods in all directions where al
enemy seeIued probable. Advancing vita liues
extended, we entered the town Just in time to get
sight of the enemy. Col. Stephens Commanding the
second brigade, having deploycd on tie left, was
first 10 enter the town, ana az soon rs he came N
sight OF the enemy, charged upon them, and drove
them with great rapldity through the town and
down the road 10 Coiieeyill.. We captured num-
Der of prisoners, horses and arms, and 1000 rounds
Of MIME bacsrtrdges; and We found at different
they could not be taken away. Among them
Capt Griffin of the Ist Texas Legion, whose arm
was shattered by pistol. ball Some Of their
wounded were fatally 20. have to report no loss
Of men during the engagement, bat about ten were
wounded, only one OF whom seriously 70. The lst
Indiana lOst eight ten horses which were killed
during the engagement, and my body guard had six
horses killed aud Lieut. Myers, commanding the
BODY guard, had his horse shot under him, and
bullet slot through bis coat. regret TO have TO re-
hot fl.. nHf Aftei kyba
The enemy charged Oh the head of our column, and
before the let Indiana could get their guns in posi-
ton, one Of them, which had been too far advanced
TO the front, wac captured and borne OIL by the on
emy This is the only event Of the expedition that
have cause to regret; ana yet, knowing Us 1 did,
from personal observation the determined character
Of the iret onset OF the enemy, DO not regard the
event az surprising, or one Tor which the company
10 which the gun belonged censurabe. The
conduct Of Capt. Walker throughout was worthy OF
all praise. When at Oakland l was fifteen miles
from COileeville. From prisoners captured, and
FROM citizens, learned that the Rebel army had
fed from Abbeville, and were falling back rapidly
via Water Valley and Colieevllle. 1 also learned
that the cavalry force which encountered at Oak
land were Texas troops about 500 strong, aad were
rart of force which left Cofeeville that morning III
pursuit of me; that II divided into three differ
en parties each vi about that NUMBER and left as
many different routes, concluding That they would
al fall back on Coiiesyi le and being satisfied that
more or less force from Prices army WA at Coffee
Vile deemed it highly important not TO proceed fur
Their as my whole iOrce Of infantry and cavalry did
not exceed 500 men. biyouackei Tor tue III ght on
the public square at Oakland. Though near The en-
emy in large force, with the pTecaution had taken
felt perfectly secure. 1 knew that the enemy was
Tetreaiing on the road not miles in an air line
from me, but felt confident chat he was in great
hurry 70 move aside 10 1ght me, particularly az
tbev had received such exaggerated reports OF my
strcnpth. ! determined TO remain here, and sent
back ior portion oil the remaining infantry to be
cent I'D to my support, that l might proceed on to
their line of retreat and harass them they passed.