Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-08-27
ArPArns oN rnn 100.

We have received from General TUPPER a
statement of recent occurrences on the Yazoo, in
which he undertakes to correct impressions IN
favorable to the militia of the State, having
their origin in several publications made by the
press, among which was a letter from our cor
respondent at Jackson. He says
The facts are these On the 26th Of last
month (July) at the request Of General Van
Dorm and BY command Of the governor, / or
dered two regiments of minute men OF my com
mand TO Haynes bluff on the Yazoo river, not
10 man, but to support the batteries, which Gen
eral Van Dorm promised to have Immediately
erected at that point. 1 have no doubt bat that
General Van Dorm issued the proper orders fer
] this purpose but by some fatality they were
not obeyed, and no steps were taken 10 erect the
batteries except to transport the guns to the Vi
cinity, and to have them lying on the bank Of
the river.
In the meantime the State troops, under the
immediate command Of Brigadier-GeDera Whit
ers, we're encamped a mile and a halt from the
bluff, engaged in infantry drill and other duties
pertaining to a camp Of instruction, and ready at
all times to guard and support the batteries
| whenever the guns should be placed in position.
I am also informed that the commander of the'
troops performed his duty in having pickets out
along the river.
Ga the 20th instant Brigsdier General Winter
being sick and absent from camp, in the neigh
borhood, and the command devolying on Colonel
Benjamin King, the senior colonel, a brave and
| gallant officer, from some neglect of the picket
guard or other cause, the approach Of the
| enemy's boats was not announced 10. the COM
mand until the arrival Of. a messenger from
Bigadier-G General Smith, who had reached the
camp but q short time before the enemy an
nounced his arrival by sending a few shells in
the direction of the camp. Immediately on the
arrival Of General Smiths messenger, Colonel
King commenced moving his troops toward the
river, for the purpose Of meeting the enemy,
should he attempt to land in force, and formed
them in line of battle within less shan halt smile
of the enemy's feet, and within range Of his
guns; while Capt. Dunn's cavalry company
were stationed at points above and below and
nearer to the river, to watch the enemy's move
ments. The troops remained in this position
from 3 o'clock in the evening until midnight,
displaying here and in all their movements the
GOODNESS, patience and bravery of veteran SOL
diers. And 1t was only few hours afterwards
while Gen. Winter (who had reached the field
and taken command) was endeavoTing to form
a junction with Col Withers' battalion Of artil-
lery, and to support him in bringing up his bat
teries, that the enemy succeeded in destroying
some of the heavy guns at the waters edge,
and in taking Others On board and passing up
the river. During eli this time there was no
panic-no fleeing or retre2ting-but every man
acted as d Mississippian should act, always has
acted, and always will. act in the face of an
enemy.
These are facts. I obtain them from the Off
cisl reports Of the commander Of the post, and
from my aid-de-camp wle was sent to the camp
for the purpose of obtaining all the facts con
nected with the transaction.