, 1862-12-20

Occupation of CoftceVlI1e-A Flag OF
Trnce-A Successful ForagIng Expe-
dttlon-Another Flag of TrHce-1n-
band-Capture OF a Rebel Hearer of
Dikpatches-Pos1tton OF the Enemy
at Grenada.
Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribunc.]
CoFFEErrLE, Miss. Dec. d. 1862.
The Sabbath day has witnessed our entry |
into Cotfceville. We came prepared for bat |
tie But unlike our approach Of the 5th we
were unopposed. We now have quiet pos
session, have Provost Marshal, and are run
ming the town on approved principles
At 10 o'clock last night, Col. Mizener- conf
n1antliug the cavalry division during the tenl-
porary absence Of Col Dickey, ordered the
lst and 3D. brigade to be in the saddle by I
o'clock, and proceed directly to Coffeeyille.
I imagine this movement is not made so much
with a view to permanently holding the po
sition, as to cover eranother demonstration made
in the direction Of Paris by Col. Hatch Of the
ed brigade.
Col. Mizcner's brigade to ok the main Cof
fecyille and Water Valley road, while Col.
Lees column entered by the Pano1a and oa}z-
land road Another column will probably
arrive this evening from Paris. We met a
| rebel flag Of truce five miles north Of Coffee
! vile, with dispatches from Gen. Pemberton
ut Grenada to Gen Grant at Oxford. OF
| course its progress further north was stayed,
| and it was compelled to return. For the sake
Of concealing our strength, portion Of Col.
Mlzencr's brigade was sent to the right, enter
ing the town by the Panola road, just in au-
vance Of Col Lee.
The Sd brigade followed closely upon the
heels Of the flag, aud entered Coffeeville i'm
mcdiately after. Just rs they reached thefoot
of the hill upon which the town is situated, q
rebel scouting party numbering less than a
dozen. fired a score OF two Of shots, but with
out accomplishing any great damage. No
one was hurt although for 4 time the balls
whistlcd quite lively: Col. Mlzencrtook pos
session Of the town in proper form, and ap-
Provost Marshal All this was accomplished
| before your correspondent, who accompanied
the 1st brigade, Col. Lee, reached the town
, When VIC arrived ut the forks of the Pan
} ola and Oakland road Col: Lee ordered Lieut.:
Col Hcrrick, Of the ith Kansas, to move out
| on the Oakland road, and visit the plantations
along the route for five or six miles, with an
! | eye 10 fine horses and mules. Col. Hcrrick
5 was entirely successful, and brought i'll oyel
| $50 excellent animals.
? We are now comfortably cncampcd 4 mile
!, south Of Cof1eeville upon the Grenada road
with our headquarters at the house Of Rev
Mr. Thomas, President Of the female collegt
At Oxford. The war LAS broken up that insli
quiet upon his plantation llndisturbed by thF
roar and the turmoil Of the battle which rage!
Il all about him.
/, Soon after the town was occupied stron!
f patrols were sent to the southwark, and at
= point Il mile below they met second flag 0
u | f1taY,r ffa ~
d OF course this was again turned back, and tn
i communication forwarded to Gcn. Grant, viii
r. the intimation that at its proper time n
= answer would be returned.
y 4 negro has just come into our lines Wit
I rather Important Information if it is true
d He left the rebel pickets seven miles distan
carly this morning, and says that orders Wer
y issued for the advance Of the Confcdcsat
K forces in some direction tomorrow morning
o with three days r:tions in their hayersacks
+ In what direction they will come, whethe
- north or south, Of course we are itl utter ig
e norancc- The negro says the road to Grace
l. port is blockaded with trees and pitfalls, wit
.. every bridge destroyed and utterly inlpassabl
/, for anv force. The road to Grenada is said t
al be open and clear, the turnpike mean, bu
al the railroad is destroyed and every bridge an
culyert is burned and a portion Of tile trac
4. ripped up.
IS move from Water Valley, a rebel bearer Of diE
H. patches from Gen. Pembcrton to Major Blyth
n Commanding at Horn Lake, was oyerhanle
d. by Capt. Pitts, Of company A, 7th Kansa:
al who was scouting in that vicinity. He We
Or brought to Col Lee, and made to unearth an
,g give up his message. Here it is:
ty HEADQUARTERS DEr'T. Miss. AID EAST Tenn.
n GRENADA, Dec. 10, 1852.
le Major Blythe. Commanding, &c.
or MAJOR: am directed By the Major Gener
eafdn ssS e hsy yo4 g s
- Water. and other points accessible:
lam respectfully r. WI MsS1Sana eRsasnI sesvaata
This precious document, besides the a
dress, bears the following:
- Headquarters DEPT MISS. AND EAST Tenn.
AT GRENADA, Dec. 10, 1862.
ut Pickets will pass courier.
r. By order Of Lieut. Gen. Pen1berton.
,. r. IT. MEMAlSGEE, 4. a. g.
- This courier was very free to impart info
OF. nation, which is valuable if altogether reli
at, bic. He is one Of the body guard Of Gen. Pei
Of berton, and formerly belonged to the
Ia Tennessee cavalry, commanded by Jackson,
1'' present, Pemberton's chief Of cavalry. T.
mt rebel force is concentrated at Grenada, vi
m the exception OF the cavalry, which is c
III camped six miles this side.
-,' Pemberton occupies the Collins House
o. his headquarters; Price is in camp five mil
west, and Van Dom three miles east of tow
10. Wallis Texas legion is entrusted the du
Of guarding the town and preserving order.
The rebels are bnsiy fortnying the Southe
of bank Of the Yallabusha River, which pass
re- directly in front Of Grenada The bank has
,Qs hight of not exceeding ten feet, but 81
for negroes have been busily engaged since
al evacuation Of the Ta1lahatchie, in carti
nee earth and timber, and the works are said to
cs. quite formidable Siege guns, my informa
ri SAYS, are already on the ground and are 4
i've | idlY being mounted Directly in front Of t
ZEN furts is an extensive bottom which in pcric
Qld | Of high water is oyeri0wed and cannot
YER This position seems to be uncommon
nee | strong and easily defended from q direct
EN- ! tack in the front. The tanks can easily
3od | turned if it be attempted before the win
, Of rains set in. After that time it is simply
urc possible, and we shall be compelled to Y
In | until the war subsidies in, the spring: !
not ! number Of troops at present at Grenada,
avs prisoner estimates at $1,000, and reinfor
1eir ments are constantly coming in. A la
1,nn force will arrive in day or two from ia
md | son and Vicksburg. Gen. Lowell has been
dcred to Richmond. Gen Joseph E. Jo
,ary eton has not yet assumed command Of
red | Western Department.
The His estimate of the Confederate loss in
art, late Cofceyilc affair, is killed twenty, won
Q to ed forty. Gen. Pemberton himself led
0 it Gen. Lowell commanded the left danling
umn, and Gen. Rust the right. Our cav
cave centre column and Gen -Tighlman the reser'
'e to | on their retreat were pursued BY Lowell q
me, tanec OF three miles, but van DoIn who tea
ordered him back,
r., It is pretty certain that the Confcder
wero considerably frightened, 60 much