New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-23
The sunfiower Expedition.

Letter Of Naval Ofcer communicated for The TRIBUNE
OFF VIcKsBuRs, April ?, 1863
/ have had so much to do since our return from
our inland expedition into Rebellion, that I have
not had time TO answer your letters. You can
have but faint idea Of what we had to so through.
Take il altogether il was the most wonderful cruise
ever made by o vessel. 1t has opened to great
amount of information. Large supplies Of proyis-
ions come from the district visited, and negroes
are rent thence " work OH the Notifications at
vicksburg Their stores are now destroyed, and
numbers of the negroes brought away. These side
operations worry the enemy inconceiysbly, as we
learn by intercepted letters; and we are gradually
encirclng them, and cutting them of from clothing
and provisions. Ii may take us long ~ quench this
devastating Rebel ion, but all have TO do is TO
fght them rs long there is shot in the locker.
We m1st not give in an inch. Let the people look
the matter square in the face, and never for mo-
ment think Of giving in. The more see Of the
South, southern people, and their vile Institution,
the more contempt feel for them.
To return to our late expedition 1t was sur
rounded with ditiicultes-we penetrated some ~
miles from the YsZOo, to within afew hundred yards
Of Rolling Fork Greek, which would bave led Us
back into the Yazoo between Haines's Bluif and
YsZoo City. Here our progress was stopped. In
telligence was brought that the enemy WAS rapidly
filling the streams in our rear with distractions,
compelling the negroes, our beat and may cay only
friends in this quarter, 70 do the work In front the
stream was completely blocked up and we now
found that If we delayed long retreat would be
cut off. No description or sketch can give you an
idea of the difficulties we had 20 contend with: every
foot of our way wac cut through dsnse timber, aud
il was literally navigating in ditch. The troops
under Gen. Sherman supported US when they could,
and ut times helped us out OF serious embarrassment,
bat they were frequently compelled by the
nature of the country to keep ut distance from the
stream. We had no difficulty in driving of the enc
mys artillery, but his sharpshooters were not so
easily managed. 10 fire or III inch shell OF guer'
rila in the woods is about eitectual as throwing
stones at muskeloes Bat our loss was very small
-the few men hurt were wounded through their
own mprudence principally. Never did men WORK
with more ZEAL alacrty aud devotion than the crews
of our iron-clads. Their work was uncsaslng-tDero
was no rect for them night or day. Inc country
through which we passed was splendid ana better
cultivated than any have seen Ia TINS region. We
saw many fine plantations. The people were as
founded and frightened al the sight OF these won
derful iron-clads at their very doors, when they
IMAGINED. in their innocence that they, at least,
we're far removed from all the horrors VI war. As
no depreciation was permitted, they soon became
reconcied TO our presence aud some even protested
a species OF lukewarm Union sentiment. But who
can describe the ecstacies Of toe darkest Verify,
their 10Y knew no bouude. Freedom, from which
they thought themselves forever cut of, came TO
them suddenly, and crowds awaited Themselves Of
the chance to follow the troops back to the Yazoo
Those that renamed did 20 on compulslon and their
masters will derive but little comfort from them here
after.
The torch Of the incendiary wss applied to vast
quantities OF Cotton to prevent Its falling into our
hands, but we secureda large amount marked q
). A, and what We could MT take away W, burn