Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-06-10
Scenes and incidents of Grierson's
Raid.

Our troops, writes a New Orleans cores
pondent, although they in many instan-
ces they passed themselves off for Van
Dorn's or Jackson's cavalry, whenever
recognized by the country people, were
treated in most respectful manner, and,
on a number of occasions, the strongest
demonstrations were voluntarily made of
Union feeling, which is evidently still ex-
isting among the people. Our men were
frequently cheered, and invited to share
hospitalities in the name of the old flag
all showing that it is only necessary to
once more establish the authority OF the
Government to bring back to its allegi-
glance the noble old State of Mississippi.
In many instances the inhabitants along
the different routes taken by our cavalry,
when they found we were not as we had
been described-namely, robbers and as
sasslns, Insulters of women and children,
and everything else ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
US God speed, and acknowledged they
had beeen bitterly deceived. In every
instance private property was respected,
unless found in the hands of guerrillas.
While several of our scouts We're feed
ing their horses at the stables of veal
thy planter of secession proclivites, the
proprietor, looking on, apparently deeply
interested in the proceedings, broke out
with: ''Well, bOys,I can't say l have any
thing against you. / don't know but on
the whole rather like YOU You have
not taken anything of mine except lit
tie corn for your horses, and that you are
welcome to. But you'll be trapped
you'll be trapped; mark me-" At anoth-
er place, where our men thought 1t advi-
sable to represent themselves as Jackson's
cavalry, whole company was graciOusly
entertained by strong secession lady,
who insisted upon whipping negro be-
cause he did not bring the hoe cakes fast
enough.
On one occasion seven of Col. Grierson's
scouts stopped at the house of wealthy
planter to feed their jaded horses. Upon
ascertaining that he had been doing a lit
/ tie guerilly business on his own account,
our men encouraged him in the belief
that they were the invincible Van Dorm
cavalry, and they would soon catch the
Yankees. As our 1nen had discovered
two splendid carriage horses in the plan
| ter's stables, they thought, under the cir
cumstances, they would be justified in
making an exchange, which they accord
| ingly proceeded to do.
/ As they were taking the saddles from
their own tired steeds and placing them
on the backs of the guerrilla's horses, the
/ proprietor discovered them and at once
objected. He was met with the reply
/ that as he was so anxious that the Yam
KEGS should be speedily overtaken, those
after them should have good horses
"All right gentlemen" said the planter.
Il will keep your horses till you return.
| suppose yonll be back in two or three
days at the fartherest. When you return
you'll find that they have been well cared
for" Our soldiers were sometimes asked
where they got their blue coats. They
always replied, if they were travelling
under the name of Van Dorn's cavalry
that they took them at Holly Springs of
the Yankees. This always excited great
laughter among the secessionists. Our
scouts however, usually wore the regular
'secesh' uniforms.