The Portland daily press., 1863-05-21
Raleigh
Baton Rouge
Colonel Grierson's Route.

SOionol 0TlcFsOns bOQtc.
south, and hating at night on plantation five
miles north of Ripley, Mississippi. Here the
7th Illinois captured two guerrillas. The 9th
Illinois took the road to Salem, little to the
west, where they captured three men.
On the morning of the 18th the column
moved to Ripley, whence the I'd Iowa went in
a southeasterly direction to cross the Talla-
hatchie above New Albany, and found the
bridge over the Tallahatche partially torn up
and a man firing it. The main column adj
vanced directly toward New Albany. and
crossed the river two miles above the place,
fordng without difficulty. The 9th and 7th
Illinois crossing together at this point, moved
on four miles and encamped for the night.
Scouts were sent out in the night to New Al
bany to communicate with Col. Hatch, I'd
Iowa.
Early on the 10th the column moved for
ward, and reached the town of Pontotoc about
5 p. NJ. The advance dashed through the
town and chased out some guerrilas, killing
one. Four hundred bushels of oats and a mail
were destroyed. Passing through the town,
the men camped five miles beyond.
At 3 o'clock next morning Major Love, with
about IT'S of the least effective men and some
prisoners, were sent back to La Grange. He
was ordered to send single scout to Oxford
to cut the telegraph wire. The main force
continued southwark, passing the town of
Houston, hating for the night on a farm ten
miles beyond it.
On the 2lst Col. Hatch was sent with his
command on the Columbus road, with orders
TO destroy as much of the Mobile e. Ohio
railroad as possible, and then return to La
Grange The remaining force continued on
to Starkvile. Here another mail was cap
tured. At four miles out halt was made at a
dismal swamp. Half the command was left
here, and the rest went on four miles to the
south. Six miles beyond Starkville tannery
wa1 destroyed, having large stock of rebel
army boots, shoes, saddles, brides and leather.
The value Of the building and contents did not
fall short of 5000.
"A march of twenty-six and half miles on
the I'D brought the cavalry within mile and
a half Of Louisville. Most of the route was
through dense swamp, frequently belly deep
In water. The mud and water were so deep
beyond the last named point that several ami
mails were drowned, their riders narrowly es-
Gaping the same fate. The march was con-
tinued until 10 o'clock the next morning.
After a short rest the troops came TO Philadel-
phia. Just befoie reaching this place they
crossed bridge over Pearl river. A party of
rebels attempted to burn the bridge, but their
hearts failed them on learning of the advance
Of our troops. At Philadelphia, as at many
other places, a mail was taken from the post
office.
On the afternoon of the 23d battalion was
sent out to Decatur, to proceed thence to New
ton on the railroad. The main force followed,
reaching Newton soon after daylight, captur-
ing two trains Of cars, one of twenty-five cars
loaded with ties, the other of thirteen cars
loaded with quartermaster's and commissary
stores, ammunition, &c. All were destroyed,
as well as bridge half a mile east of the
town, and three heavy bridges with trestle
work five or ten miles east. At Charlottesville,
about twenty old gray headed men gathered
together and fired upon them as they came up.
A few men charged upon them and took sever.
al prisoners. One of them finding that they
were not band of merciess robbers, profIered
his services as guide, saying he had son in
the rebel army that he would try and convince
of the error OF his ways.
On the 18th the force was seven miles west
of Montrose. After moving in a southwest di
rection halt was made at Raleigh on the 26th
A single scout was sent out to cut the wires