The New York herald., 1863-10-25
NEWS FROM THE SOUTHWEST.
Important and Authentic Facts Concern.
ing Guerilla Operations in the vici-
nifty Of Vicksburg and Natchez.
Interesting Insight Into Rebel
DOM,
&c., &c., 30.
Mr. Dee. RanaolpA Kein,s Despateh.


Mr.. Deb. Randolph Keina's Despatch.
vicKsBuRo, Oct. 8, 1858.
Return of Captain H. j. Hall and Hs Ten Cowrades Aner
Scout of Four Hundred Miiss-wirt adams, Crosby,
Whisfeld AVID Ross TIE Leoders Of Indepen,ens Par
Hes-The System of Gnerla Warfare F.ily introduced
Lato MissssippS-Ths Late attack Near Colesv,e Par,
sf the system-Plsnty Of Work Ys to n1eDonc,-Boas Up
Red River, dc. r -, 49, ~ >
Since the surrender OF this stronghold On July A. the
operations Of General Grants army have been mainly up
important The occupation Nachez the second advance
npon jackson, the couneracton Of the enemys demon.
sratons towards the Big Black and the reconnaissance Of
She Yazoo aud Washa countries constitute the only move
ents of note Yet during this spell Of quletude or, more
properly necessary repose the operations Of tho adver.
sary have been continually watched Though Johnston
mad Withdrawn, the mounted force left by him, aided by
bodies OF irregular horsemen even mere audacious
and interchangeable than when they sustained by tho
weight OF his infantry. This required greater watch
fulness; for 1t was not known at what moment Of
those most annoying Of all attacks sudden dash upon
our line, would occur. On the Big Black, means OF
de ence against such troops passed
most Of the summer and that great advantage though
they have scarcely changed camps. Frequent small
Affairs took place daily upon first settlement ia
this quarter but with inyarable success attending our
side, the enemy realizing this fact strongly and 80
disturbance from that source.
However, to keep up his information OF tho enemy's
whereabouts and designs and that Of strictly reliable
character constitutes OF the essential attributes
Of successful generalship "Reminiscences in force or
consisting Of small parties Information gathered from
prisoners from the inhabitants OF tho country form
several methods Of securing knowledge opponents
army. But of all the successful and reliable
s that Of an efficient system Of scouts and scouting This
service is one Of extreme DANGER and consequence
finds engaged in II mono the best of mem for not
only is great daring necessary but shrcwdness and
cdhpcsurc equal 10 all contingencies, to combat
eqd deeat Tie occupations Of those whom you
met, and make them believe anything but
their convictonsto aliatc, to speak with the
women. children and servants during your soourn Tor
tho night at some waysde cabin mansion, and mako
them think you are remarkable man. true patriot to
The Of Southern independence and ardent petit
tone to tho Almighty for tho longevity Of tho cenfedera
ey This would constitute nvincibiy te the credulous
minds Of the gullibe population the South. have
scouts 10 whom, In every sense Of tho term might
apply the appellatiou gentleman All the accomplish
mcnts-such music, love and learning theirs,
and besides an address and contour that played
among the dcsolate hearts Of the Southern women
This class prosper amid their dangers, and say
they rather Ike the profession for the entertainment
and diversity II affords. have been somewhat digros.
sivc but tho facts may not be out OF place. the
one OF The specific characters Of our army.
some time since, 1t being pretty well authenticated by
IA, time that Johnston had gone cast the operations
iae srsmy, h rusbss rns sr.,rssons were wrspt N
great mystery necessary to uuravel this FOR
eommander thore should be mystery Accordingly,
Captain II. j. Hall chief Of scouts, Fourth division Fir
teenh corps accompanied by ten men, took his depar.
ture scout from vcksburg early On u cor.
tain morning. They Immediately pushed towards our
lines tho Big Black, where they arrived af.
Ger ride Of several hours, aad halted q
few bours more for refreshlncnt. Having satisfied
thcir wants they again struck out crossed the and
found themselves alone in the enemys country and
rounded by Wind ctivc relentless aud undscipined sol
dcry. There were but eleven In tho entire party-en
comprising them thousands After crossing the
river the Captain directed himself towards the vicinity
Raymond, making detour OF the town. and thence to
wards Clinton, station the jackson Railroad approach
ing this point prudence seemed to dictate
abe party directed tbcir obscrva, ions towards Vernon
thence they struck or In nor,hery direction The in.
formation gathered thus far TO that the
eromy had large force In occupation OF the country
beyond tho Big Black, between that stream aud
jackson. This forco arrsyed in sort
Of permanent battle line, the left resting at
Raymond the centre at Clinton and the right Yer
non, these positions being commanded as follows
field at Vernon In advance OF this ne towards Bolton and
Edwards Station, a number OF detached bodies were
thrown out In turn 70 look after Developments our
side ia the OF this advance line the efemy had but
few troops, everything being thrown forward TO swell
and magnify the appearance OF force menscng our limo
the Big Black fraction Of Adama command at Ray.
mond had been detached with orders 10 operate tho
q Natchez. While visiting that city few days since
small body o. those troops affecting dctormna.
ton 70 demonstrate ppsn our troops in that vicinity,
bet changed their minds upon later consideration
of The probabilities for and against rnc First Kansas
cavalry has been operating principally this neisbbor.
hood The troops very likely 10 call out great
Difference on the part Of the enemy.
From Vernon Captain Hall and his little band pursued
Their course towards Bentop and thence Lexington s
further north. Both these towns c Yazoo City
tween that point and the Mississippi Central Railroad
Her and there strong body Of mounted rebels
lcn,d divided about clualy between G two places, and
upasf coEsad Of Ross who has established bis hcs.
quar- crs at Bsntcn.
Having taken all observations here the Captain and
comrades directed their route upon Princeton
s r.vor aadiug, or ts ccnse9aeScs = regards river
trade bat great consequence the enemy Upon
rivrg there II found that the enemy had very
Efficient system OF communication between the two
Remaining at Princeton some hours tie arrange
ments OF the enemy considerably impaired by the
Cptoin, after which the party, taking few sk
ed into Arkansas. The situation OF Princeton Ia IN Mis-
sisspy short distance north o. the latitude OF the line
bc,ween Arkansas and louisiana mar add, but few
miles nrth OF Princeton located Grecnvic the most
famous and favorse guerilas for tho
purpose o firing upon boats passing no and down the
river That place has been repeatedly visited by
troops, but to purpose for sooner arc we scon
coming than tho enemy fees interior, and cs.
capcs despite every cserton 10 ind his whoreaboat
Also sooner DO our forces withdraw than the
eueias return and their annoying though not
gripping vocation. Upon reachng tho Arkansas shore
tho scouts destroyed the boats In which they had
the river and sct of in souihwes,cry direction soco
entering Louisiana. Passing Baycus Tensas and Macon
tho party soon reached the neghborhood Of Monroe
the washa river. There they learned that par, Of He
bsrks force located, but not 10 any strength. the
main portion having moved lover down 70 AID the opera
~ tha hafH NJ