The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-12-23

HELENA, ARK, Dec. Sth, 1862.
My DEAR WIFE Two weeks ago
wrote you that | was about 10 start with
an expedition, which, it was supposed
had for its object and destination, the re-
duction of certain Notifications on the
Arkansas River. You can Judge of our
surprise when our fourteen steamboats,
all rounded to at Friar's Point, ten
miles from Helena, and on the Mississip.
pi side, and all commenced to unload
1t then became apparent that our expe-
dition, consisting of 5000 infantry and
$500 cavalry, were in some way to op-
crate against our old antagonist, Price.
We arrived at our old camp again last
night, having made one of the boldest
and at the same time most faticuing
marches in the whole war. 1t was es-
pecially cavalry expedition. The infant
ry only marched to the mouth Of the
Coldwater, on the Tallahatchie River, 10
be used as support in case Of accidents.
AT that point, which is about forty miles
from Frar's Point, our advance surprs
ed small camp of rebels on the oppo,
site side. by throwing a few shell among
them, killing three and wounding quite
number, as we afterwards found them
at different houses where they had been
left along the road. At the mouth of
the Coldwater we built bridge of boats
and crossed the cavalry. Twelve miles
further on, we met 1000 of the enemy
prepared to dispute our passage across
Bayou lorkney, at the ferry, and with a
few she'll sent them flying again, and
much TO their surprise, we did not at.
tempt and did not intend 10 cross at that
point, but continued our march 10 the
south and east, far into the interior OF
the State, and in rear of Prices whole
army, our object being to destroy all his
railroad communication with the south,
and TO call away as much as possible OF
his force from the front, where Grant
and Sherman We're making it interesting
for him. We struck the Mississippi &
Tennessee r.. II. at Hardy Station, where
we burnt two bridges and lot Of cars
part of our force was then pushed on
to the Mississippi Central R. R., three
miles from Grenada, and bridge burn
ed on that road. Our first object being
accomplished, we then spent about a
week in creating all the panic we could
the report having gone to Price that we
were $4,000 strong, at which l am moi
surprised, for we were dashng about IN
all directions at terrible rate, at one
place to-day and so or 60 miles from
there 10 morrow We know of three
brigades that were hunting for us in diff.
lerent directions one of them we finally
me: at Oakland, consisting of three reg
iments of cavalry of 700 men each. A
smart skirmish occurred between the ad
vance of both forces, resulting in the
capture of one of our guns, nine horse.
killed, men wounded and none killed
The loss of the enemy unknown, except
two killed and some or 10 wounded
and prisoners in our hands, among whom
are one Colonel one Captain, one Lieu
tenant, one Chaplain and one Adjutant
In thirty minutes from the firing of the
first gun the whole force was flying fol
parts unknown. We aiterward had an.
other skirmish with them across York
ney Bayou, which did not amount tc
much. The expedition on our part was
an entire success, we having accomplish
ed all we were ordered to do. We dodg
ed about within few miles Of Prices
whole army without losing a man, DIES.
troying all his railroad and telegraphic
communication, and compelled him tc
retreat as soon as lie heard we were in
his rear. What advantage has been Ia
ken of our work by the armies of Grant
and Sherman We have not yet heard, but
in all probability Price is by this time
across Black RIVER, somewhere in the
vicinity of Canton, and il so, the cam.
paign and the war IN the pest is reduced
to the taking of Vicksburg. The cap.
ture of Mobile, which will not be diff
cult, will cut the Southern Confederacy
in two, and opening the Mississippi a,
Vicksburg will cut off Texas, the only
supply region which they have left, both
of which events will not long be delayed,
And when they occur the war is virtually
at an end, the rebel army 10 Virginia to
the contrary Notwithstanding. And
when these Two events occur, all our war
worn soldiers, myself, | hope. among the
number, will be relieved from the tolls
OF the field, and report ourselves for du-
ty to our wives and sweethearls,
GEO. b. Parsons.