The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-09-17


turns the bend in the river which brings him in sight Of
Nachez with its towering bluffs, the appearance Of the
river undergoes such sudden alteratonrom the low,
fat banks that characterize the Mississippi to the ele
waited and almost perpendicular heights on which Watches
sltuatea!pat x AIsy PQpents he almost fancies DO
has been magcay transported to part ecotand
which notorious for its steep acclves and hen no
comes 10 stroll through the town his admiration Is ex-
cited by the remarkable objects TO be seen within TINS
spot Of splendor The scenery around Natchez 10 ex
ceedngy Wild but beautiful in the extreme To any one
who has eye for the beauties Of nature, my advice
would be 10 Nachez he wishes to behold Nature
clothed In her loveiest garb. Nachez contains popua
ton Of about eight thousand and can boast Of court
house pest oce several good hotels and an excellent
public school, with commodious hall adjoining. This
school had in daily attendance year two ago ABOUT
six hundred pupils. Natchez has been for years the
centre cotton trade which really gigantic, and
was in all respects 1ourshng commercial city.
The envrons are composed Of the most beautiful
villas embelIished with grounds laid out with artistic
taste. Tho arstocracy had gained decidedly foreign,
from long travel abroad and had reached state
Of refinement never before attained this con nent
Thor wealth almost fabulous; and. from the nu.
magnificent equpage stylish horses and
clothed in the most costly iiveries, would imagine
that no was in Eastern city. 1t il all the
county of Adams. Tho town OF Natchez took unim-
potant part in the Presidential campaign. 1t
tho advocate secession and rvaed South Caro-
lima in her hatred for "the deestcd Yankee and when
Mississippi seeded their JOY knew bounds. Bonres,
salutes and public dinners the order Of the day
Since tho fall Of vicksburg and Port Hudson Natchez
has been the general rendezvous M the crossing OF cattle
from Louisiana 10 Mississippi and has afforded
tho assembling Of guerilas Although OF no strategIca
importance, Natchez affords many admirable advantages
for fordcatons That forces should take possession
OF Nachez and thus break up these guerilla gatherings
intercept tho supplies coming from the West and obtain
point Of Insignificant importance, matter Of
cessy was also necessary that General Grant should
enrust the command Of expedition which would ul
maely result in the capture Of Natchez to an officer
competent take and hold this important point As
officer suited 10 command this enterprise Brigader
General Ransom-a young officer, who had distinguished
himself in several campaigns-was appointed With
these few preimnaries shall endeavor TO give the par
tcuars Of the capture Of Natchcz the brief circumstances
OF which win be found sufficiently interesting to attract
the attention Of the most stocal.
Against that TO bed OF socess n, Nltchez, the
morning OF tho 18th OF July rcocived marching orders
But not vi. the following morning that wc got
der way Leaving yicksburg at IN early hour, with
forcc Of about fifteen hundred men, consisting of-Ran
cond Illinois artillery, we proceeded way quietly,
without interruption from the gueras who infested tho
shores until within short distance OF Natchez when
embarked and marched mp to the town. AZ this expedition
toallyunexpected tho citizens were taken complete
ly by surprise, and remained In astatc OF Inactivity until
had Iicketed every road leading from Natchez Our
landing thus elected without opposition about four
o'clock the 18th Of July As posted pickes
captured Captain George Ration, Of tho Conner Battery
Confederate States Army Our pckets the other roads
1--WE rsSei oegs and prSsss who we're
sent TO Camp Chase Barrioaics were thrown up on all
the streets 70 prevent an attack from Logan wao was no
TO attack us In strong position We Immediately took
possession Of the court house, pst Office and telegraph
people hatcher the capture Of their devoted
city very hard and could be standing
Ia little knots Of ten twelve engaged In
saton. which BODIED good; every time "blue coat"
savage glanccs which would have "puverized" any
but the Yankees, who passed fhem by without notice
loo much praise cannot be given TO Western vouu
the magnanimty with which they treated the
teccssioniets OF Natchez Previous to arrival the
most rigorous orders had been issued regarding pagng
private property, and during whole stay in that city
not 10 single instance were any these orders violated
private property was on every occasion respected by
plain OF being nsued by our soldiers on the contrary,
they endavor to get social footing with the people,
aud few have succeeded. The ladies should
their share OF the praise also for their mananimous
nduct towards troops. As yet these has boon
splitting in the face, Haunting OF secesh cors, aud they
succeed passing Union soldier without fainting and
several young ladies OF the confederate persuasion boast
se SsSa 81 ,nAi s no
the following little incident relative TO lady o. strong
cesson princpesA squad Of soldiers was passing her
house which is short distance from town, when OF
them suddenly fell 70 the ground apparently leess. The
remainder passed without taking any rerceptble
notice Of their exhausted comrade The lady summoned
her servants aud made them bring the poor fellow into
the house and took proper Of him until he
will have the everlasting gratitude OF that soldier
General Ransom Immediately established bis headquar
tiers at The house Of wilson strong secessionist
II is magnificent building with beautiful grounds at
tached, and'commandsa fine view. General Ransom has
already gained the good will OF the citizens by his cour
and alabity. He IL accessible tho violent
secesscnists and II is surprising TO the friendly fcs
The ccncilia,ory measures adopted by. Cen Ransom
have not only made him very popular but they also contr
and 80 far have succeeded admirably As the prevailing
sentiment OF the citizens OF Natchez Ia God bless the
Southern confcderacy must NOT be expected that they
will rush forward and TAXI the oath OF allegiance. few
OF the mos wealthy Of the planters have taken the oath
voluntarily These arc very ndeed and arc soou. ali
Az was essential that We should mount our infantry
70 act as cavalry, all the horses At for service belonging
horses FELL into tho hands Of brigade before
Ths the only instance whore private property
beef were 10 the pastures, few miles from Nstsbez,
guarded by small force Of rebels, SUN.
S,s0s IN eso,1 , Su m0on'eS infantry were
at the pastures the rebels fed, leaving the cattle In our
hands, They numbered about ave thousand head In ans
order. Our captures did not end here BY any means
for ten thousand bales II &ton, all marked &C, -
fell into bands shortly er arrival This cotton
will prove rich pfze FOR IL will than cover
oil the expenses that will be incurred by General Ransom
during his stay here II stored only short distance
from town, and hauling to Natchez fast as
possible. On occupation OF this city received re-
liable information that the last OF Kirby Smitha
milton train had just crossed the river from this poa
force qualified 10 attack and capture II at once
started In pursuit. which succeeded In oyetakngt and
destroying about ave hundred thousand rounds Of
fridge and about twenty boxes OF artillery unition
but unfortuneely did not take any pr soners,
guard and drivers fed thcrs signs OF pursuit. Had
we been twenty four hours might have basgsd
the whole train.
This win be mortal blow 10 Kirby Smith, whe ID for
flying himself Trinity, the Black river. he can
not replace his ammunition easily. Three hundred aud
twelve Austrian muskets Of . superior make and q
curious piece OF canyon found concealed In build
ing here The cannon manufactured in this city In
1901 bells that contributed by the planters
for that purpose. The OF arrival spread