The New York herald., 1862-12-11
INTERESTING FROM the SOUTHWEST.
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News from Arkansas and
Mississippi.
Important Expedition OF Generals
HOvey and Washburn.
OPERATIONS IN PRICES REAR.
RAILROADS TORN UP AND BRIDGES BURNED
ke., Ae,, 10.
Our Army Correspondence.

Our Army Correspondence.
NEAR ARBEvIlR, Miss, Dec. /, 1852
Reeonnosssaaee ia Force by General Ham,lons Troops
Brisk ArUery SkirnsishChdrge Of the Union Soldiers
and Retreat Of me -Casatahies-Rebel Earth
,corlsGrea Strength Of TIE Positio- Inefficient FIRE OF
The EaeuyThe Rebel LOSES Ram .SsarmGen Van
Dorm iN Command at -st5ecide-Locasions Of OMer
Rtel GenoGls7heir Tinted Forces Eain,ated Fifty
thousand Es- -HoremcSts Of tie Rebels, &C., dc
Yesterday, although the Sabbath, a day Of con
siderable interest SO far Colonel Lees cavalry division
and extreme advance was concerned.
u had been determined by General Hamilton 10 make
reconnaissance in force do tha, thorough
ly, Colonel peezer OF the First Kansas with his regi
ment and three others, ana battery OF artillery,
ordered TO Join Colonel Lee The column moved al ten
O'Clock sunday morning, and reached Ebeneexr church
shortly after mile beyond the frequent reports from
the rifles in the hands Of the skirmishers in
dicated that the enemy preparing TO dispute our
further advance Pressing TO the front discovered them
drawn up line of battle the crest OF hill mile in
front Of u.s. We the brow Of bin also and be-
tween Us was deep ravne Colonel Lee ordered the
connn 10 halt and there formed tae infantry line Of
battle two regiments each side the road directly
in rear Of the elevation where he had placed his artillery
Before thf was concluded the enemy openei upon vs.
most vigorous fire from field pieces placed where our
position was fully commanded The solid shot fell all
around as, and shells burst every hand One sho,
passed entirely through the holse OF planter our
right Another struck in the middle Of the First Kansas
regiment, taking OF the Lat OF and psrayzng the
arm Of another. No other damage done. By
this 'ime our battery in position, and thirty
shell and shot were hurled the ravine rapid sue
cesson striking full and square the Of the
rebel column. The rebels ceased firing and Colonel Lee
ordered the skirmshers charge followed by the in
fan,ry, still in line OF battle This order obeyed
most galaDtly They rushed down the hill across the
ravne aud up the other side cheering aud firing they
moved The rebels returned their fire. bnt as the ad
came rapidly forward, appeared struck with con-
s,ernaton and fell back confusion. During charge
Lieutenant Culap. OF Company H. Fourth Illinois
cavalry, who on his horse cheering his skirmish
and directing their movements, received painful
wSnnd in his shoulder. am told private also
shot the SIDE but could learn his nor the ex
,eat OF his injuries
AS we reached the abandoned posi-
tiop skrmishers were again advanced and
there was heavy firing for hundred rods,
when the rebels retired out Of range Of our
rifles. The Parrstt guns again brought to the
front and the Of the rerestng column hardly dis
tineuishablc Of the clouds Of as
they galoped along the dusty thoroughfsre, made
the recipient Of few shell and shot.
With field glass here Hrst discovered lie rebel for
tihcaions, mile to the front and leftan er,hwork or
distance appearing to occupy formidable position
We in doubt the range OF their guns when
moved the column 10 the front became evident
that they commanded the entire approach for mile OF
open ground the Abbevile road Az crossed this
open space their guns played upon necessarily drop
ping ugly missiles all around, to the manifest
danger Of our precious lives. None Of as were
hurt however. We galloped rapidly forward until
we reached the edge Of the timber, which
oH finn "A
battery. Then followed artillery duel lasting
hsK hour whom the fire ssckened, aud both
armies laid quiet watching each other.
During this interval Of quiet Colonel lee large
Ranking and recsnnoterng parties TO the right and left
who, after short time, returned reporting
behind the timber, commanding the advance from the
other direction. Even where we subject TO
an enading fire. and as we had discovered the rebel posi-
sition re,rograde movement ordered lust before
the column Colonel the battery to
/ drop few shell the fort. This fre vigorously
returned and continued until we had fallen back entirely
beyond the range Of their guns Noione was injured.
remarkable that tue hundreds OF shot aud shell
fired by the enemy during Tho last two days
the Union army injured We have fought continually
since Friday night and in that time entire is
killed and -four wounded. The enemy are
not SO fortunate. may believe The report
Of negroes and citizens least Hundred have been
ned pieces and eight or ten Killed bccause have
ocular demonstration Of IT,
last night this region visited by tremendous rain
storm. which lasted until utry daylight and as con-
sequence find every gully and this hilIy
country fun to ovcrBowing The Talaha,ce by this time
IS probably unfordable. Ghis delays our movements
today, and enjoying the leisure should bsye
nal yesterday This rain is better than FIVE thousand
| o. the enemy From negroes citizens who reach
lines learn scraps Of information relative to the
rebel position at AobevDe. which would be interesting
! { they could be considered altogether reliable.
A secD, agree in their estimate Of the
Van born 10 said 20 command at Abbevne with thirty
thousand outlaw commands at Wyatt with four reg.
mens aud Msury 81 Rocky Fort at the Tippat
with az many more glance at the map accompany ing
This letter win show their relative position.
negro late last night, and reports that Gene.
raj Price has fallen back Grenada taking with him the
ssour, troops and that jackson holds the forts this
side Of the Tallahach whether this be true or lot In
unknown Our pickes reported this morning that dur.
ing the night they beard continual movements as II the
fort being evacuated and the movement of artillery
and cavalry the turnpike bridge which spans the
Taahatche but whether 10 from the fort they could
not determine. Colonel Moyor, of the Third Michigan,
was out this morning with companies Of cavalry
10 reconnotre but has not yet returned When he docs
we shall be able 10 lDarn the exact situation there
Enclosed send typographical oap " the country