The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-06-20
From Gen. Halleck,s Army.
(GLN. POPE s DIvISION.)

From Gen. Halleck's Army.
(GkN. POPE s DIvISION.)
Correspondence Cincinnati Com nercial.
COL. ELLIOT's SPLENDID PERFORMANCE WITH
CAVALRY.
On THE TUscUMBIA, Miss, June l, 1862.
Colonel Elliot, with his cavalry, has re-.
turned, and given us such news as to iusti.
fy large portion of this army to advance
with hot haste on the fleeing rebels.
In this letter I wish to give you history
of the doings of Colonel Elliot's cavalry,
which General Pope sent two days before
the evacuation OF Corinth, to cut the Mo-
bile Railroad, and cut off communication
southwark. His mission was eminently
successful, and he returned to US last night
without losing single man. 1t will almost
read like fable, but the history l give you
is true, as taken from his report and the Of
fcers who were with him. He lett at mids
night on the 18th, with 900 chosen horse.
men, splendidly equipped for fighting or
running. The two battalions were com>
posed of the I'd Michigan and I'd Iowa
His first point, by very circuitous route,
was Iuka-a beautiful town, looking +" like
a New England village" containing 1000
inhabitants, and is resort for invalids, on
account of its splendid chalybeate springs.
From Iuka he crossed to PASSPORT and Fui.
ton, thence by the Tuscumbia and Jacinto
road to Gainesville, to Fadens, and from
there struck on the headwaters OF the Tom.
bigbee river, and crossed to Bonneville, on
the Mobile Railroad. His movements were
made with such bOldness and celebrity, that
they were supposed by the people to be
rebel cavalry.
Upon approaching the place, a large
train of cars containing three thousand in
fantry were on the track. The Colonel
wisely kept in the bushes until they moved
of-only sent bis men above and clipped
the telegraph wires, that "tells tales" AS
soon as the soldiery had moved on, he de-
ployed one~half of each battalion as skir-
mishers above and below the town, took
possession of train of twenty six cars and
locomotives. Five were loaded with small
arms, in boxes, five were heavily laden with
ammunition for artillery and small arms, one
platform car with one brass and two iron
field pieces. The rest of the train was filled
with provisions and clothing in boxes be-
longing to Quartermaster's stores. Not far
distant was large depot stored with pro.
visions and Quartermaster's goods. While
his men were taking possession of the town
his skirmishers were tearing up the track
both above and below the town. He found
in the place $500 convalescent sick, and
the town guarded by $50 rebel cavalry.
The sick were said to be in most deplora.
BILE and loathsome condition. Two thoue
sand had been brought down on the cars
the night before and dumped out without
medicine or help. They were scattered in
houses, under trees and everywhere, many
Of them had erysipelas in its worst form.
Colonel Elliot Immediately ordered the
sick removed to safe distance and run the
train down opposite the depot and set fire
to it in every car. The explosions soon be,
gan, and from o'clock until 10 they we're
continuous as bombardment. While the
Colonel was making these arrangements for
the destruction of army stores, the rebel
cavalry had returned, dismounted and drawn
up in line to make charge on our men.
Captain Campbell, who was in command
of the skirmishers, saw the movements of
these gentlemen, and dismounting his men,
had approached them upon the flank, and
as the order was given to the rebels to
charge cavalry, Captain Campbell sent
bullet at them from behind every tree,
speedily following it with second from
their revolving rifles, and so they didn't
charge cavalry much-but charged in
another direction. The Colonel will do full
justice to the brave officers and men who
accompanied him, in his official report
There is a good joke attached to the rebel
cavalry who ran from the Colonel at Boom
vile. They left behind splendid silk flag,
which showed them to be the Forest Cav
airy" Now about one week ago, our cav
airy moved their camp to the rear OF the
army, aud this same Forest Cavalry came
into their camp. The commanding officer
wrote note to his Yankee friends, boast
ing that he had visited their camp, and that
in few Gays be would call again and per-
form several little things. These same Iowa
and Michigan boys found him and captured
bis colors away down where be was looking
as much for Gabriel as for them-and 1
may add solemnly, that several of them
heard the horn and went 10 their final set
Element.
Col. Elliot not having any wagons with
him for provisions, had difficulty in getting
food and forage. Found few sheep, which
were OF necessity con6scated, but poor and
tough; found a few hogs, the breed was so
bad and the running gear so finely developed
that they were allowed to i've. No fat
cattle or lean left, except few fer milk.
Provision of every kind very scarce. Corn
was boarded like silver. The Southern
Confederacy, l tell you, will bsg bread be
fore six months. The wheat is ready for
the sickle here now. But there will! not be
three bushels to the acre in any field have
seen. Oats in the same condition. The
corn looks better. The Colonel took a
large number of prisoners, but as they were
infantry he disarmed them, destroyed their
guns, and told them to go home. Most of
them were glad to obey. He had DO time
to lose in bringing them off.
Many amusing incidents occurred on the
trip. While destroying some rebel @. 81.
stores at one place, Texan came up, and
said, "My friend, what are you destroying
this nropertv for: are the Yankees cominp2n