, 1862-01-25

A~A~
Point, and Fort Holt, between the 9th and
l4th Of the present month.
The results Of this expedition, over which
20 much fuss and feathers'' we're at first dis
p1ayed, hare appeared SO triaing that it hardly
repays one to write the events Of the same.
The com munity is deceived and doubtless the
enemy and the soldiers arc dissatisfied. 4 long,
tedious, and disagreeable march, through
mud and mi1e, has been made, and no results
were apparent to the troops or any one else,
until Informed at the conclusion of the recon-
the learning Of which gives an entire
change to the face Of affairs, and are thus ex-
plained.
In the first instance, it was apprehended
and generally believed here that Gen. Buell's
force would speedily make m attack upon
Bowling Green, and information having been
received at head quarters that large reinforce
ments were about to be sent to the assistance
Of Buelner, it was deemed cminent1y essen
tial. BY the General commanding this Depart
ment, that means be adopted to ffustrate these
designs Of the rebels, and consequently this
expedition was set on foot, and so far as it
went was successful. Besides the above there
we're other objects to be attained.
Secondly, thorough knowledge of the TO-
Biography Of the country in the vicinity Of Co.
lumbus-What streams, roads, and raTines
were to be encountered hereafter, aud esti
mate what would be their bearing in favor or
against us. In this particular our success was
mokt complete, Us Gen. Grant in person, accom-
panied by his staff and engineer CORPS, under
the escort Of Capt. O5band's Chicago company
Of cavalry, secured the country for forty miles
around Columbus, often getting within a mile
ture operations Gen. Grant is fully cognizant
Of all roads, bridges, dc., around Columbus,
By Which he may facilitate his success when
taking this field for action, which We hare
every reason to believe will be at an carly day
). In the third place, in consequence Of the
smast terly inact1vity'' into which these troops
have been suffered TO fall, it became obvious
that they would require some practice in the
field and on the march before they could be
handled to advantage
ALI thenboyc ends have been attained, which,
though at first seem small, upon consideration
are Of some weight in the scale Of future ope-
ratious. The several reg iments comprising
expedition we're as follows:
Mcc1ernand's column comprised the 10th, Col
Morgan; 18th, Col. Lawler; eth, Col. BufOrd ::
2sthr Col Reardon: 3oth, Lieut.. Col Dennis: 3lst
Lent; Col; White and 4sth, Col Haynie-lllin91s
tillery companies; Col. Dickey's, Captains Stew
arts and Dollins's Cavalry.
Cen Paine.t column consisted OF the 9t4 n 1li-
sons Sth, Col. Dcsby; 12d. Lieut. Colonel Hart,
and 11tb, Col. Wallace and 10th Iowa infantry,
ogp ef ep! Co Ke1s H1 nos s IT, and e Ro1
TIC column under Col Cook consisted of the
sth and 2sth illinois infantry: and Delano's com
pany Of cavalry.
On tAe arrival Of all of the above troops at
Fort Jefferson, on Tuesday, the 18th, Gen.
McClcrnanl's column took up the line OF
march i'll the direction Of Blandvil1c, and en-
camped first night at O'Neips Mills.
On Wednesday, Gen Grant and staff, with
take the field, and upon arriving at Fort JEFF.
crson, the two renaiEing columns under Gen.
Paine and Col. Cook were ordered to march in
the same direction as McClernand's, whose
column the same day moved forward and en-
campcd on The farm Of G. ". Martin, some
twelve miles this side Of Columbus. Cooks
command passed somc two miles beyond Nc.
Clernard the same night, where they en-.
ca1nped; and Paine's brigade reached, part ut
O'Nei1e. and u portion the crossroads, some
two miles beyond, where they also encamped
same night.
The second day AIcCleynand moved in the
direction Of 11illburn and Loyelaccville, which
last point be reached on the third day, from
which he countcrmarchcd in the direction o1
Fort Jefferson.
Paine's brigade was cut up into small com.
mands, and took different directions, recon
noitcring in the vicinity Of Columbus while
side Of Mayfeld Creek to Elliott Mills, whers
they encamped; and from which point sever
81 reconnoitering forces marched in the direc
tion Of Columbus, and at one time force Q
Delano's cavalry went within two miles of Co
1umbus, but did not encounter any Of tn
| cnemyfs pickets.
Friday, having failed TO draw the rebels ou
| Of their Entertainments or Notifications, AMI
having accomplished I'LL that Was proposed.
though kept close secret up to this time
| the various commands were ordered to return
and Sunday found most of the regiments ciu
barked from Fort Jefferson for their old quar-
| ters. Netherlands brigade having marche
| the greatest distance, did not reach Fort Jel
Oh Tuesday.
During ihc first days march the roads wer
eRduTd14c, but at the close Of the second day
series Of rains set in and continued, stoppin
at intervals only, until the last Of the troop
arrived at Fort Jefferson, making the roads
complete channel Of what one might term
9uid mud.
The incidents of the march aud rcconnoi
ennce are Of but little merit. Some pilferiu
and petty n,arauding were attempted by OF
troops on some Of the citizens, but was speet
ily and ef1ectually stided by General Gran
who Threatened to slloot any soldier who nj
lcstcd any private property Of the inhabitant
In one instance, where some of the soldie
| pilfcrcd some honey, the members Of the reg
| uent we're fined one dollar each
7. having been asccrtalned that O'Neil, Il
proprietor Of O'Ncil's Mills, was an active 5
cessionist, and had been aiding the rebels
! Columbus, by saving timbers for fortifc
tions and easements for rebel gunboats, an Q
der was issued for the. disabling Of tue mill
| Tth oh Jr9S han mi n
gan, who effeetua1ly destroyed the mill and i
contents By fire.
When the actirc forward movement is mat
from this point, which is looked for to occ'
during the coming month Of February, '
may look to see the advantages and fuldlne
OF the predicted benefits Of this grand reco
noissance. Until then, its achievements mu
remain fruitless.
One of the most important questions whit
! now agitates this department is the fitting O
Of the gpnboats With suitable crews. VIII
: it is taken into consideration that the Undue
ments offered at this point to seafaring Al
| river men arc very inferior to those offered
the East, it will be conceded that this will
no easy business TO fulfil True, the pay
gunboat men here is equal that offered to NJ
Of the same class in the East; but there Is
, bounty given, as in the lastnamed section, a.
Jack Tar is not over fond OF fresh water st
: vice; while tic usual pay Of river men is
; most double that offered in the gunboat &
vice. One advantage, however, is that t.
, ! time Of service or enlistment is much short
than that Of the army, as the provisions extel
only to "onc year. if not sooner discharged
while those who enlist in tho land service q
required to serve three years.
Flag officer Footc has been 1aboring here u
der the most trying circumstances. It apes
l ! that neither the army nor navy will claim tt
: service as branch, ,of theirs. So it stan
alone in the centre reaping no assistance fro
8 either, except what has been fairly forced tro
> the heads Of departments. It almostimpt
> sib1e for those who arc unacquainted with t
! complications Of the navy service, and outf
: ting, to comprehend the disadvantage Of fifth
= out a squadron Of any Kind, in the absence
a navy yard. Yet here has Flag Officer Fo
( been Obliged to battle ipcessantly betwe
= these two clements, (the army and navy bo
= ofEhicl claim the advantage OF tue servit
4 these gunboats render, while neither appt
/ willing to acco1t: them assistance. 1t renal
( DOW to be seen to what extent the army will
: spond to the recent appeal made through Gt
Grant, and published in the TRIBUNE Of r
l. terday.
t Matters Of pcW6 are becoming ALARMING
!. scarce, and long season OF monutonY Is
most apparent. Reinforcements are ar1ivi
; almost daily. The river is still rising at
:, I'M. CAIRO
Mr. Thad. Stevens's Apology.
e Washington Cor. n9th> Cincinnati Commerci,
q The committees Of 'utt :Isys.s arc still
| 1rrr4- nm hr t:i,r4 ho