The New York herald., 1862-12-26
oar Yockena Correspondence


Bysnr
The present pursuit OF the ensmys fleeing coluons 10
ended, and the cavalry division Of army bas fallen
back The north OF the Yockena We have encounsred
che enemy aud have forced abandon expedi,
SION with = considerable loss Of and material The
enemy had concentrated a. Consevle immense force
Of infantry cavalry and artillery, which they studousIy
Kept concealed unit, shsy bad selected the position they
desired, when they opened upon with terrible eject
apa compelled has,y retreat TO Water Valley.
Ny last communication Sas dated in camp near that
village, and 10 Indicated plans for the
Oo nsensrs Third brigade ordered TO take the ad
vance, Col Lees nrss brigade the centre and Col Hatsh
oscoud brigade. the BY mistake 10 the seleo
son Of tho route Col hsener switched o6 the Paris
road and when be reached the Coaeeve read ave miles
advance, his position became the centre while Col.
Lee took the lead and, 10 connection with Col pickey
Who had charge Of the expedition, directed move.
snss We eucamped the night Of the eth at Water Vat
10y, and miles south Of the otuckaaa across which
during night excellent bridge discovered Al
seven ready to start snd the colums moved In
she order indicated above.
nrcouNrns IN wArBs vALLsr.
There was 10 trouble the route until we reached
point ave mies from Water Valley. where we encoun-
tered rebel vide,tes and company two Of rebel
cavalry Our advance guard strengthened aud as
Of skrmsbsrs thrown out On either side OF the road
which succeeded putting 70 dgbi the enemy. They
rs, back 10 the hill 10 the rear, made stand
pu!ssd and again made stand the hi 10 the rear
Just 10 front OF this iacer eminence open deld
and valley through which runs a smsii stream,
each side Of the Geld being skirted with heavy
smber With dense ndergTowth o! brush and shrubs.
Here Colonel Lee Brst planted hts and dted dszen
rounds of shell and shot, which caused the enemy to
abandon the position little further on the gun
again planted and the woods in advance again cleared
Al q plantation owned by Wheelis tho enemy made
another decided stand from which they were dslodged
With considerable diaiculy From here on there
was heavy skrmshing Tor oiie or more, until
we reached ano;her open neld, where Colonel Lee
planted bis gun and threw few shell IN ad.
vance OF our sklrmshers Hardly had the drst
exploded before the enemy replied with fu battery or
heavy artillery. dropping the shell W dangerous prox.
y 10 our eun and column. TIeir shell exploded within
ten Our small gun could stand chauce
w,,b the heavier metal OF the enemy, aud we we're
reiuctantiy compelled 10 retire with our piece OF
artillery.
meanwhile the line of administers and supports wero
heavily engaged Ia irons aud oriven back bv an
vhelmipg infartry and cavalry FORCE The rebel in
faotry advanced by regiments N solid column, driving
sveryhing before them. New liues and supports we're
formed and again drivea back. When reached the
puin where our gun nrst placed position again
nnlimbere bred rounds OF grape aud canister
se before the deadly Ore like grain before the reapers
sickle others hswever stepped crwasd 70 all their places
and the column again moved steadily forward. Wbes
thsy had reached point four rods from tho mouth o the
cannon Colonel Lee ordered II 70 be unmbered
and taken 20 the rear. Our column was uow In
suII retreat, and cotnpsnes and detachments were
ssyovp out 10 The rear right and left Of the road pro-
sest 10 sgans, flank movements ~ lane 70 our lcft
Two foil regiments we're marching upon our osnk, lssd