The New York herald., 1863-09-30

could supply themselves with almost everything tney
needed. and are upon our uansports
Becoming ~ last 10 great an annoyance an eApeu"""
WAS fitted against and break up snen came
As was essential that this expedition should ue en-
trusted TO the command Of we'll tried and efficient ON
Ger Major General HERON selected 10 take charge
shss important movement
ExPKToS.
This expedan--comprisng the First and second ofi-
sades OF the Second division, hireentb army corps,
Brigadier General vandcver and COL H. NJ Day CON-
mandiug. Batteries and F, First Missouri light ar'
ery and bsttaoD Of cavalry, ander the command OF
MAJOR Montgomery-succeedcd in leaving Champ do Mars
the morning OF the 5ib inst
Our whole force consisted Of abou, three thousand
brave and experienced soldiers who we're ready 70 I'M
dertake amy movement, no matter how formidable IN
appearance.
With such determined men ~ these there could DC no
doubt to the success OF the expedition.
We proceeded quietly our way without any adveh'
ture, and reached Norganzia twenty-five miles above
Port hudson, on the evening OF the 9th.
Early on the morning Of the 7th force under the
command OF Colonel Day consisting Of the First brigade
Owclve hundred men), two sections Of artillery and
battalion Of cavalry MAJOR Montgomery, started, win
Instructions proceed practicable IN the dec
tion o. the Achafaaya, and reconnotre the country
ms EMMY DsooyFRKp-R AND Pursuit.
This expedition was cent 10 feel the enemy and
ascertain their whereabouts They had proceeded bat
short distance when they encountered considerable
body Of grerllas consisting ~ mounted infantry who,
after firing valleys, re,rea,cd. An exciting cavalry
ensucd "OGr boys charged the flying rebels,
and pursued them several miles; but the enemy, from
their superior knowledge Of the country managed 70 es
but not be several OF their number were either
killed wounded or taken prisoners.
We with nothing from this time to relieve the mo-
notoRy march until about three O'Clock in the even
ing when, about five miles from the Atchaalava,
encountered the rebels, VINO we're evidently waiting
Tor us
Our cavalry immediately charged upon them, and as
Ninety Ninety fourth Colonel Mon ulty and
MAJOR Day indng) advanced in line OF battle they
were after brief contest rcpulsed
A series Of skirmishes ensued in which artillery
brought into play. The enemy chased a dis
,auee miles, with varied success which resulted
finally driving the guerlas across tho Atchaaiaya 10
their main body.
The determined resistance Of the rebels and the perse
vering valor OF gallant Western volunteers made
these little fights Of the liveliest Of the war.
MAJOR Montgomery rendered much efficient service with
his brave Missouri boys and is 70 them that We are
indebted for in dispensing the guerias with
such aacry.
Night put end the contest, and our forcesbeng
within kindred yards Of the A,chaalaya, suffer
ing the Of water which could not be obtained
from the river at hand on account OF the rebel
sharpshoo,ers. who kept up incessant frciuietly
withdrew TO the nearest poDi at which water could be
obtained. This was some Ave miles back
The position of little under Colonel Day
indeed precariuus separated only by narrow stream
from enemy almost three times their number, weared
and exhausted by their march under broing and
recent fierce little hight and uncertain 10 whether
communication was open not.
Such, then, was the position Of our force on the
night O. the 7ih, and had the rebels attacked
then il is impossible TO predict what would have been
the result Notwithstanding in all these skrnshes we
mad killed, and only the following wounded
Captain james, Company B, Ninety first Illinois;
shot in the region Of the Kidneys; W. vanscke, Com
pany 4, NINETY first Illinois, head stephen y. Judy,
Company X, Ninety. first Illinois, both hips Erasus d.
Anderson, Company T., Ninety drst Illinois, end Of
shot of John Hu,sel Company b, sixth Missouri ca
vary, back OF head. slight w@m G. Bridges Company
B sixth Missouri cavalry, thigh slight J G. Mack,
Company h, Sixth Missouri cavalry, cheek.
r+S.na ~.
On Tuesily morning, the s,h, netor General Herron
with the Lody o; forces, abou, thousand six
hundred and pieces Artillery marched TO the
OF Colonel Day
After a tedious march he mp wiih the laters
command. oar whole force then moved forward, and
held the day previous. We now learned from rolisbls
sources that the main body had
leaving detachment oppose crossing the Atcha
faiaya II attempted
The question whether IL WIS policy 70
the river aud pursue the flying rebels, who were well
mounted had the start Of US and their
country The Of the General would safely gunran
tee no sucn NOV rnent and the object o the expedition
was already accomplished.
TO cross the Aichaf laya il would be necessary 70
bridge it, as we bad pontoons ard this would
considerable delay and would necessarily draw tho DR. u
the eaemy and would PROBABLY Be attended with con
siderable loss y life.
TErrpN.g.
Accordingly Gener i Heron decided that we should
turn and eight ocl"ck the morning Of the 9th
commenced retrograie NOV mcnt, and reached our
transports he night Our loss the sth only
one sled-Ialn sar ent, of Company A. Twentieth Wis
consn.
He acting picket, videttc, stationed como
distsnce IL advance Of hrs company winch posted
skirmshars the levce.
tpder oi darkness squad ~ rebes crossed the
river yawl, and approached witnm ten or nltceo
yards o him, when he shot twice With revolver,
the time slightly the nip Al the second shot the
ball his neck and p,.scd through bis wndppe,
which proved morisi
The momcn, the as, sho, wa. nred the rebels se up an
unesrthly ye evidently Tor The purpose Of brugug the
others within range when they would nave opened uon
them This failed however, for did not inmeIi-
aiey 70 10 the assistance the wounded man aud
few minutes they wore heard recrossng the river.
The un fingered for two hours, when be
expired.
gsrsYs toes
am unable 70 state the enem. ios. IN the numerous
sklrmishes took place but ! am satisfied that u
eIusis, n docs no, exrc,d, We captured
sbcct thirty arisoners among them ronu stevenson,
an mo chast aod citizen q Nea orleans, known %
bs anything but loyal. He len that city last winter
agent the Louwsna state Bang for The purpose y
iuveng rebel notes belonging 70 tha bank 10 cotton
within the rsne lines
sHtp Hrsivs.s
s+~era Balgr applied 70 or permission . 10 this,
snd gave his fuii Governor sAepey not only
approved, but aavocattd aat tn,i the bark
e ttxsf rrnn In los "A the re n money IA IA