, 1863-12-30
FROM MATCHES,
Military Katters-Movements Of Col,
Earrar-HoW he went to Ball
The Expedition to Vidalia..
!Qefences at Matchez.

Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Ttibuua
NATcrzEz, Mtas., Dec. Is, 1869.
For some time nothing has appeared In the
Tribune to let people at home know that
there is such place as Natchex, and to re.
mind them that the seccsh have not vet left
us in undisturbcd possession of the most
beautiful Of the Mississippi cities and its rich
plantations. We had even been congratula-
ting ourselves that our time wonld be served
ont here until this **cruel war Is over" and
VIC could march with shouts OF Joy to our
old homes, when suddenly Writ Adams. the
same who sought after Col Ben Grierson so
earnestly and took such good care to Keen
out Of his why when Gricrson found him, ap-
peared on creek three miles from here,
Gen. Ge1sham had fortunately just arrived,
and marching out with infantry and artillery,
he sent Ills cavalry under Col. Fa1rar to get
In their rear. The colonel, although an in
fant1y officer, handles cavalry better than any
other in this corps.
By cutting across through plantations, over
roads where the enemy never thought Of look
ing for him or my other man he succeeded In
getting entirely around them, and reached a
position, where, could the rest Of the forces
hare been brought up in time, We must hive
forced the rebels back On the troops around
Natchez- Bnt Adams had artillery and Col
Far1ar had only cavalry, so was shelled ont OF
his position and the chivalry slipped through
our fingers. They arc still hovc1ing around
here and are the same party who on Friday
last, fired on the steamer <Brazil,7' between
Waterproof and Rodney, killing two ladies'.
Fine chiyalsy, are they not?
Although We were not very fortunate on
that trip, our scouting parties over the river
have been making the feathers f1y OF secesh
ed above, went ont to plantation in Louisi-
ma, with ten Of the 30th Missouri infantry
and twcnty-fiy Of the I'd Mississippi heavy
nrtilery-African descent-Whete q military
ball was in full blast. he got there ut am,
found the house lighted up, saw the dancers
passing the windows to the quick strains Of
q violin, and rushing among the now bcwild-
cred me.ry-makcrs, captured one Lieutenant
md eight priyates Of the Confederate States
army. Not to spoil the fun too abruptly. the
Colonel md his officers then led the blusling
but willing ladies upon the floor and finished
the ball. The prisoners probably did not
mind the capture much Is the guard who
surrounded them, and vino marched them
through Natchez, were their own brothers
and fellow citizens, although tbay were Of a
little darker complexion aud had curly hair.
Col. FarTar's last exploit was the breaking
mp OF pesnerors gang Of bushwhackers
and thieves at q place called Camp Cotton"
: thirty three miles back from the river. With
two hundred mounted men he left here on
the uth Inst, and moved ont to the Black
River, which could only be crossed on boats.
There was but one small feE1y-boat, under
charge Of Mr. johnson, who gave the ball
spoken OF oboEe, at whose house two more
prisoners were picked up this time-a Cap
tain and 4. Q. NJ, md d private soldier. The
Colonel cpmpetlcd johnson to order the bont