The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-25
Rebel Guerilla Warfare.

completely demoralizes the enemy in the
Southwest. They can hope for no impor-
tant future successes in legitimate warfare
in that quarter. Wherever they come in
contact with our troops, no matter what
may be their superiority of force, or the
strength of their defences, they encounter
defeat: Formidable fortresses do not pro.
tect them natural advantages do not shield
them and odds of two or three to one on
the battlefield do not render them victo-
rious. The great highway of the Missis-
sippi is now opened to US, as the Tennessee
was opened by the capture of Fort Henry,
and the Cumberland by the capture of
Fort Donelson.
1t is not improbable, therefore, that in
future the enemy, with the exception per-
haps of another battle near Corinth, and an
attempt to defend Memphis and New Or.
leans will either be compelled to surrender
or to fall back upon guerilla warfare, by
employing small rowing bands to intercept
our communications, and thus to harass the
advance of our armies.
This system has already been adopted to
some extent in Missouri and Tennessee. Our
readers will recollect that short time
since, an account was published of the ap.
pearance of the notorious rebel marauder
Captain John Morgan at Gallatin, where
he destroyed several railroad bridges and
depots, and thus caused the detention of
the mails and freight and passenger trans
portatiOn, upon the Louisville and Nash.
vile railroad, for eight or ten days. His
official report to Genreal Hardee has been
forwarded to us from Nashville, and gives
an important description OF the rebel guer.
lila system. 1t is as follows:
SHELAyvILLE, Tenn, March 10.
Major General W. j. Hardee, Commanding
LIST Division:
SIR: l have the honor to submit the
following report of the operations ola por-
tion of my command on the 18th, 10th,
o'clock, P. NJ. on the 18th instant, with Col.
Wood and detachment of forty men, [ left
Murfreesboro' for Gallatin, having learned
that no Federal forces remained at that
place. The chief objects of the expedition
were so intercept the mail, to destroy the
rolling stock on the road, to make prisoners
and to obtain information of interest to the
service.
Our destination was kept secret and the
command having been sent from Murfrees-
boro' in separate parties, by different roads,
to unite at some distance from town, it was
impossible that the enemy could be appris-
ed of the movement until after the blow was
struck. A citizen of Murfreesboro', whose
zeal and loyalty is undoubted, made the mes
cessary arrangements OF runners to keep US
perfectly posted as to any movements that
might be made with the view to cutting US
off.
Our first march, conducted mostly at
night carried US about two miles beyond
Lebanon. Early next morning we contin.
ued the march, crossing the Cumberland at
Canoe Beanch Ferry, and reached Gallatin
at about four, P. M. Leaving the command
just outside the town, Lieutenant Colonel
Wood of Writ Adams cavalry, myself and
the men, disguised as Federals, entered and
took possession. The Colonel, myself and
two men galloped to the depot and secured
the telegraph operator, bis instruments,
books, etc. Among the papers found are
several orders of General Buell's, some in
cipher, which please find inclosed.
We secured also, few minutes after, as
it came in, an engine and tender, carrying
a number of carpenters to repair the road
they were made prisoners, but were released
as we lett the town. AS soon as the citi
zens were made aware, that we were con-
jederate troops, facility a0as AFFORDED as to
carry out our plans. Upon securing the
engine, we at once commenced to accumu-
late all the rolling stock Ia large quantity
on the main track, preparatory to burning,
When this was complete, the fire was ap.
piled, and in the course of an hour, all ex>
cept the engine was rendered permanently
useless. That night, having picketed Sc
curely, we remained in 4allatin. The next
morning we destroyed the water tank, and,
taking the engine, the Colonel and myself
proceeded some miles up the road, with
view OF discovering any approach of the
enemy or the mail train. In the meantime.
a lieutenant and four privates of Orders
regiment, (rederals) on their way to Nash
vile, were taken prisoners by our pickets.
The mail train being some hours behind
time, and learning that our presence might
have become known, we concluded to with.
draw and return to Murireesboro.
We were made acquainted, just before
reaching the town, that body of federal
cavalry had ridden through the evening be
fore, and that the enemy was In large force
near by. We remained about twelve miles
from town, long enough to ascertain their
exact locality, and then passed safely thro',
within two miles OF their infantry. We
reached Shelbyville about o'clock P. M.
to day, the men and horses good deal jas
ded. Yesterday several transports passed
down the Cumberland, carrying the rem.
nant of General Thomas division. As our
party had not entirely crossed, we did not
fire into them. From all we could learn,
the enemy has commenced to move. A
large body OF cavalry was seen on the road
- al, . III al A.