The Chattanooga Daily Rebel. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1862-1864, 1863-03-13
pEsTaUorIoN os-norEplpiD, AJAX.
The TowN puaErD 10 THE GROUND.
From the Memphis Ballstin.

From the memphis Butietin-
Our readers have been kept fully informed
Of the facts connected with the burning of the
steamboat Hercules, on the opposite ride OF
the river, where she landed during fog. We
have also given statement Of the manner ~
which Captain MeCuskey. commander of the
Hercules, aud his crew aud pas engers were
treated by the guerias. We now proceed tOl
detail the events following and consequent
upon this act Of the guerillas in burning the
Hercules, reminding the reader that this is the
third boat destroyed by The same body of
guerillas, the Mussuman and tho Grampus
No. 2, having previously been plundered and
destroyed by them.
At eleven o'clock last "Wednesday night
the Smelling OF the woods opposite the city
which had been continued at intervals during
the afternoon NY the mortar boats in Wolf
river, was briefly resumed by the gunboat
Cricket, in consequence OF information that the
gueriIlas were interfering with the coal bargee
brought down by the Hercules. that remained
on the other side OF the seven barges, laden
with coal for Mr., Bigley, coal merchaot OF this
| city, one caught fire from the Hercules and
sunk; three we're safely Brought over to this
side yesterday Ivy the steamboat Wisconsin
and three remained stillat the spot where the
Hercules was plundered and fred It was an
alarm respecting these three boats that caused
the firing at eleven o'clock last night.
The little steam tug Thistle went over to
make observations, but the gutrillas had
managed to scuttle and sink two of the three
boats, and at about two o'clock this morning
they served the third and last boat in tho same
way OF the seven barges Of coal brought in
by the Hercues, only the three that were
brought on this side by the Wisconsin yester-
day were saved from the destructive proceed
ings Of the guerIlas.
The repeated aggressons Of the guerillas on
inc opposite side of the river appear to the
authorities on this side deserving of punish.
ment II was known that some Of them were
harbored 10 Hopedeld-the lageimmediate
| ly opposite this city. It was alleged, aud be
lieved that although the residents in Hope
field had taken the oath Of fealty to the United
States, that they were not loyal in heart or
conduct This was deemed to be especially
evident in the fact that The rebelguerilas had
free access there at all times, and received the
.lhospitable attentions of the inhabitants. The
names Of some Of the guerillas were known
who were constantly in the place and general
" spent their nights there. 1t was therefore
deemed proper to condemn the village of Hope
field to The fate that has beIallen other places
on the riv r banks where the gueriIlas have
committed their depred,tions.
n About noon The ennboat Cricket. conveying
the transport Mill Boy, left its moorings at The
mouth Of olfrivef, and started Oh the mis-
lsion Of vengeance. As the Cricket crossed
the Mississipp, she opened the coming trage
dy by throwing shells into the woods beyond
Hopefeld Ihe hoarse roaring Of the guns
: brought the citizens on this side to The rivel
side, and q multitude Of persons watched from
{ the height OF the bluff in front of Memphis
the progress Vt events which all Who witness.
ed will negerforget
The first tesat OF the shellng was the hur.
=. ried galIoping, -fron the woods of various
horsemen. The citizens were then seen march
ing from their dwellings. (0fcour we de
scribe the events as seen, with the assistance
of glasses. from this side of The rivera The
Min Boy in the mean time landed at the up.
lper part Of the village, aud toward il the re
fsidents were seen running on foot and gallon
ing on horseback Tie business OF the Mill
Boy was TO bring to this side the women and
children who might wish to come, and others
who might have claim to the privilege
Men were landed, and proceeded with their
work of destruction. house immediately
opposite the foot OF Court street in this city
and in the rear of Hopedeld just at the edge
OF the woods, was FIRST fired strong, steady
south wind,--the precursor of the coming
spring was blowing. Under it's influence tho
flames spread rapidly, Lelpbg from doors
and windows; sprnging from 'front.' rear and
gables; enyeloping the root with their red aud
terrible tongues surmouuted by the black
smoke Il at had hid from tho blne heavens the
sacrifice to the dread genius Of war. the fire
went on It's devourng way Soon other fires
added their terrible hames-other censors
/ their gloomy smoke Of destruction House
alter house WAS fired; flame after flame added
its lurid horrors to the scene; and the black
dark, heavy column of smoke rolled before the
southern breeze mp the Mississippi, car, ing
toward the north tho tidings Of destruction
AS we are writing these lines the work Of
Humiliation is proceeding. The white houses
with their green shutters aud little fenced
yards around that looked so peaceful as we
gazed upon them from our bluffs yesterday
are at this moment smoking oinders, or red
pillars of vepgetul fro.
LATER.
We last night conyersed with sonic Of the
parties who participated III this expedition
There were but few men seen at Hope6eld on
the occasion. Those who we're thero woro
sulen aud indignant. The women on learning
that their homes were "a be burned, thoir
henrths llade desoate and the place clustering
with all the Thousand clustering recollectionsI
of homo. generally burst into tears and In |
grief, sometimes too deep for expression. add
ed in removing their furniture and provisions
lp two cases only did those wliom we con
yersed with see any departure from this course
OF conduct. One was case ota woman who
souddly rated those who told her what had 10
DO done, and declared that she would not
move peg, nor no ono else until her old man
caiuo home. and that would not be for day
or two. She found tho matter was loo serioIsl
to be irihod with, however, and in the end
gladly accepted the asa stance OF the marines
which wes indy rendered her, to clear her
house, Another woman, very pretty youue