, 1862-12-10
FROM GEN. GRANTS ARMY.
Crossing Of the Tallahatcfie'
Occupation of Abtoevilie and
Oxford.


[From Our Own Correspondents
OXFORD, Miss, Dec. g. 1867
My last was written on the Tal1ahatchie,
and contained plain, unyarnished account Of
the events resulting in the surrender and oc-
curation Of the forts. We were On the north
ern sidc Of the river, awaiting the building Of
the bridge which was to carry us safely over
the Tallahatchie. III their hasty retreat yes
terday morning, the rebels set fire to this
bridge and the railroad bridge, 60 that it WAS
necessary to improTise something upon which
the cavalry could pass. McArthur's division
came down with axes and spades, and by three
o'clock this morning We were really to pur-
sue the enemy.
Capt. Reese, Of Co. 2, Sd Michigan, former
" employed in tic TRIBUNE office, with a
dozen more, swan the river and visited Abbc-
vile last evening, and found that the enemy
had abandoned the town, first setting fire to
the depot buildings and cotton in the village,
and destroying q large quantity Of corn and
commissary stores and clothing.
He at once established patrols between Alb
bevillc and tile river, and placed guards around
the property which the negroes had rescued
from the flames, and reported to headquarters.
The 18th Illinois crossed the river before
us, and it was broad daylight before We were
able to leave the fort, and eight clock before
| We reached Abbeyille.
| This village is Of much less importance, to-
| geographically, than expected to find it. !
| had been led to think that the country back
from the river was strongly fortified, but
saw nothing but natural Notifications. This
feature is not peculiar to this country round
about Abbeyile. From Grand Junction to
the TalIahatchfe, and even to Oxford, thu
road leads over series Of natural forts, capa
Bile Of being held by an enterprlsing enemy
for an indefinite period. The only obstruc
tions are at the river, and the forts command
ing the approach from Holly Springs and ths
railroad bridge. These seem impregnab1c
and the Woudcris that tie enemy did no
think them so. The citizens say that the rea
son given for their hasty evacuation, is til
fear Of ofbeingaankcd from the Mississippi River
They say that our people are moving upol
Grenada, and they fear they should have brc,
caught in a pocket had they remained. Noy
| that the movement is completed so far as til
forts at the Tallahatclic arc concerned, it ma
be proper to say, that our Generals wer
fully prepared to admit the strength of thei
forts, and the probable unfortunate resul
should they attempt to take it from the from
An expedition was even being planned for c,
tensive flank movements in the direction
: Wyatt and Rocky Ford, when intelligence VIC
received Of their surrender.
I searched Abbeyille all over for trophie
} but except Il copy Of the Grenada dppeaz
: the 2stt, found nothing worthy Of prescrv
( tion. There vas plenty Of corn and commi
sary stores, clothing and cotton il flames, bl
I was no travelling warehouse, and IF;
Obliged to leave them behind.
The day was cold and dreary, and to add
: our discomfort, before We started for Oxfo,
it began to rain, and go continued without i
Permission during the entire day and nigh
Long before VIC reached Oxford the road: b:
1 become almost inapasEahlc. 1hayc hcretofo
described our skirmishes with the enemy, IL
: those Of to-day were nowise different exec
l as to locality. Some hours before noon Il
reports Of our rifles indicated that VIC We
j. driving in the encnly's rear guard, We pre-
Ecd him hotly until within three miles Of 0
ford, when d shell and solid shct fired at o
Inc Of skirniisAcrs admonishcd US that it "
l. / necessary to exercise little CAUTION T
/ first shot. six pound solid, fired, killed
: horsc Of one Of the skir1nishers. This "
l. tile only accident during the day.
), Just about this time some negroes told
It | that u party was just outside our 1anhin. Ii
= upon the right, setting fire to the railro
J. bridges and cotton gins. Col Dickcy Of
o 4th Illinois, detailed company to attcu1
l. their capture. They took them without
,r loss Of a man-onc rebel Captain, one Liz
tenant, and thirty four men, By one compa,
is considered in this army satisfactory.
u Prisoners we're gathered in by our seo1
IL until the number exceeded hundred.
~ Just behind where the guns were pla:l1
C. tue encmy's cavalry, dlsmounted as s!lirnli
81 crs, were drawn up in line Of batt1e, but (
nc skir,piElcrs with their revolving rifles pla,
J. such havoc with their ranks tint they "
III glad enough to retire and reform q mile
he ther on. Their last linc but one was form
on the brow Of the slight elevation III
), Which the town is built. This line was b
~ ken as before and reformed On the court ho
hs square. Here was an opportunity fol
,c cavalry charge, which the boys were not 81
Il, to embrace One company charged down
ns street at run, aud soon charged back az;
m Us behind the rebel cavalry waz discoyere
IN linz Of infantry They were soon routed
VIC had possession Of Oxford.
Tile town is delightfully."- located, with
'or grounds, public buildings, schools, etc.
ac We have taken nearly 200 prisoners, sey
ID, commissioned officers among them, inelut
or Major Duckworth, commanding the 1st J
lat ncssee cavalry regiment. We have killed
as wounded twenty.
at When We started on tue Oxford road
Moyer, with the Sd Michigan cavalry, was
~ on a road nearly parallel and leading to
,,,. place. He struck the encmy's pickcts
~ miles from Oxford, driving them for 4
~ and a half, when being heavily reinforced
artillery and infantry the rebels made 4
cidrd stand. By 4 flank movement, aft
The short contest, our boys drove them into {
yc5 ground and whipped them, The enemy's
yet was heavy. Our loss one Captain and t
8. enlisted men, wounded Night comm!
l00 | Col. Moycr moved his troops three mile
:. the rear and biyouackcd for the night.
Aie, likely that the contest may be renewed
lsn~ morrow. Col. Lee will doubtless send
rcinforccments.