Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1863-10-31
SMUeeLTYe IN SoUrH-wEsrERN X

SMUGGLING IN SOUTHWESTERN Xxx
The Columbus (Ky.) Var Eagle states
that on the 10th, Lieu: Dearborn, I'd
Tennessee artillery, left Island No. 10,
with forty mounted men of the 32d Iowa
in charge of Lieut.. Leash, and proceed
ed across the river toward Tiptonville,
where he discovered sundry wagon-loads
of goods, which, upon examination,
proved to be salt, powder, boots and
shoes, and other articles en- route to the
interior. There were FIVE or six men
with each team, apparently unarmed,
and who, on being questioned, exhibited
permits written, with lead pencil with
the word Approved " written across
the face with ink, bnt accompanied by
no signature either to permits or approx
al The goods had been purchased in
New Madrid, so it was said, and ferried
across the river Before entering Tip
tonville our force was divided, Lieut..
Leash taking eight men and going below
the town following the wagons Leaving
the others, Lient Dearborn followed with
part of the force, and, after leaving a
guard with one of the wagons, proceeded
on. About two miles from Tiptonville
they saw some IS or 40 guerrillas in a
cornfeld, upon whom they quickly
charged, running them mile and a
half, dismounting ten or fifteen and
wolnding several The guerrillas threw
away their arms, coats, loose blankets,
&C., and scattered in all directions.
Our forces then retired slowly and
loaded their guns, when they discovered
another party, of about the same num-
Der coming in their rear, and heard the
order given to charge. Lieut. Dearborn
then ordered his men to dismount, when
the guerrillas fred into them and scat
tered Our men returned the fire, dis
mounting several of the guerrillas, re-
mounted their own horses, and fell back
toward Tiptonville, followed by the guer-
rillas at a distance Throughout the
whole affair our men behaved nobly - -.
Lieut. Leash, who had only eight men
had fallen back mile and a half from
Tiptonville, where he was joined by
Lieut. Dearborn. The men were then
divided under the two leaders and enter
ed Tiptonville at two different places.
Just as he was going into town Lieut.
Dearborn discovered the guerrillas in
ambush, and again charged upon them,
dismounting four or five and wounding
several, as we afterwards learned from
the citizens. Two of our men, Sar-
geant and one private, were slightly
wounded One musket was hit and split
open with mimic ball. One rebel pris-
oner was taken; Capt Bradford notori
Gus thief and kidnapper.
This reconnaissance will prove of great
advantage, for the fact has been develop
ed that there has been a large amount Of
smuggling, or something worse, carried
on from New Madrid, or at least piO
New Madrid Bend, and Tptonyille, and
that the goods have gone directly into
the possession Of guerrillas. The Eagle
thinks it is scarcely probable that the
smuggling has been done by way of New
Madrid, bnt it is likely that goods have
been hoated down tSt James Bayou
which enters the Mississippi just above
General Smith and Capt Williams are
doing all in their power to put an enc
to such transactions, and if there were
only some cooperation on the other side
something might be accomplished
mnoh of the smuggling has been done
from Cape Girardeau; goods have been
brought, via Benton, to St. James Bayou
and Aoated. down. A company of cavsl
ry stationed along this stream would pu
a stop to smuggling by that route a
least
Had the guerrillas not been met with
as stated in..the foregoing narrative, itw
the intention of Lieutenants Dearborn
and Leach to get ahead of the train
turn it around, and bring it back to Co
umbus, but they were prevented fror
doing this as already described. Lieu
Troop, with detachment of the Proves
Guard, made quite haul back of Wo
J Island few days ago. s. EE4