The New York herald., 1862-12-05
INTERESTING FROM THE SOUTHWEST.
Flight OF the Rebels from
AbbcvilEO.

ADOcVl11O.S
DESTRUCTION OF THEIR STORES.
Occupation Of Their FOrti6cations BY
the Union Troops.
Gunboat Cruise Between Helena
and Vicksburg.
Destruction Of Water Craft
Along the River.
OMcial Investigation of the Cot
ton Crop,
As., Ae.. ~.
HEADQUARTERS THE FIELD, MARI
ABBEynB, Miss Dec. 8, 1862.
Major General W. HAlLRoK, General Chief Washing.
The enemy deserted their fcrGcatlons yesterday de
scying ali ineH stores tney could not carry away Win
shem.
The weather is bad and the hat swollen,
making il difficult to cross.
Some Of cavalry swan the river however, and oc-
cupied the place last night.
To-day pursuit was made 20 oxford and, coming the
rear guard Of the enemy skirmshng took place, lasting
about two hours and resulting in the capture Of sixty
rebels
The pursuit win be continued onorrow but the roads
IxfcS
ance of II.
General Sherman is crossing at Wyatt.
U. s. GRANT Major General.
CAIRo Dec. i, 1852.
report s current In Memphis that Germantown
burned by soldiers belonging the Eighth Missouri,
while General Sherman's division that town,
and that General Smith had had the offenders arrested
and ehot
All the teams IN the country passed by General
Abermans army have been pressed into transportation
service.
On Friday night, Presidents Island the steamer
1Aack Hawk, from Memphis and Helena, coiided with
The upward bound boat White Cloud.
The Black Hawk badly damaged and foated some
distance and sunk. Three negroes lost The
On board escaped. The boat valued at S. o00
= total loss to her
There is Q band Of organized robbers ou tho roads
Ssadug from Memphis. On the 2sth they robbed Elijah
Brooks Of $l1 900.
General Sherman at last accounts, is beyond Cold
water. Codwatea is in De otto county, Mississippi thr
tyone miles south OF Memphis on the Mississippi and
fsnnessee railroad
Cur Cairo Correspondence.
CAIRO Nov. 30 1862.
SAe Erpedition-The Crue- De,,ruction Of Boas-G.e-
sialas-Desrucion Of the COt,on Crop of 1s61-Scanty
Yield Of 1s62-C<ton Scarcisy-Shoking Condition Of
~ peofle- n15yn prc.~ye nf
saiiy, Poverty De:tOn Nal adnes, Terror and Igno-
ydncc Tiecs on the War Questi.,R Newspaper Ac-
esssSts-Ltet of the Cold Weather tho Army lhs Au.
faTrttes BegginSfer Old Clothes Blankets, Quilts, &c.
lave just had conversation with gentleman of this
atty, an old river man who knows every plantation be-
tween here and New Orleans who day from
nruse the gunboat Lexington between Helena and the
mouth Of the Yazoo.
cHcisR
-. VARIOUS, and perhaps had better not all be stated.
Ono object however, break up communication
between the two sides Of the river, for which purpose
Lieutenant shirk, commanding the Lexington, had
orders TO seize and destroy every species OF water
sraft he should be able fnd-seamboats, ferry
boats, skis, dugouts, yaws fats and, In fact, every
shing that could furnish transportation for man.
beast property For this purpose the Lexngton's
boats every inlet, creek bayou, and
thorough exploration Of the river was made.
DESTRUCTION CRAFT.
large number Of boats OF all kinds were found and
asstroyed. Ny informant says this respect in
others Lieut. ShiTk thoroughly performed the duty
assigned him and that now, though undoubtedly some
aiminntive craft have eluded the Search the river
literally clear OF them Among the other made
resi- ccabe sized aatbo4t loaded with bound
from rOnt Arkansas TO vicksburg Tor the supply
cf tho rebel troops in the latter pace The boat had
saro about vo thousand bushels of aboard, all Of
which with ths boat selC, destroyed ANY thing
wherever
devncd and destroyed very large business has been
carried this region Transporting army from
Arkansas and Louisiana % vicksburg, which by the
eruso Of the Lexington has been seriously nerered with
FRuirifss SEARCH GUkRri4s.
Another os.cct OF the cruise u break up any
ya izations and destroy batteries that should
discovered In the respects the cruise was barren
uf results. No batteries discovered any place,
gucrlas All suspicious places were shelled but
without drawing any responses Al one point short
surrey along near to the Mississippi shore voey ol
nussetry was hred upon her from thicse OF timber
The steamer officers all sitting Oh deck enjoying
cuiot conversation at the time; but fortunately u
then, were struck, although number Of bullets fell
around and among them on the deck The guns Of the
Suuboat quickly trained upon the spot whence the
voey came, and very liberal shower Of grape and
unknown the concealed foe sgodaddled double quick
sine taking with them their killed and wounded II they
met with any casualties.
HUNTING poR COTTON.
Another OBJ Get had in view IN sending this vessel ou
70 ascertain how much cotton there is remaining
throughout this region in this mission that
Che gentleman have alluded 70 accompanied the vessel
river, and especially Southeastern Arkansas partcu
sarly qualified him for this duty In the pres
this mission landings made al every pla taon along
river and dligeu inquiries mado the stock
htna 10th the plantations visited those
sher inland, which u deemed prudent
s~re No Official report of the cruise yet made
aud h1vc nothing but crude statements and ates
go by giving the results OF this Investigation.
INK cRoP 1861 pssrKoyEp
This much was ascertaned 10 the satisfaction OF all
PARTIES The stock cotton supposed 10 be remaining On
ksnd tho plantations or Arkansas, Mississippi and
iousann has been largely cvsrestmatcd There consi
Aerzbic still remaining colccament that will improve
she FIRST favorable opportunity TO reach market.
out tho quantity, compared with the usual
Drop, f very light indeed Much more cotton has
beeu destroyed 10 this region than generally supposed
The recent movement Of Unon troops from Helena a,o