The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-05-21


to divert their attention, before the cx.,i-
ration of the hour was UP, rapidly gnI'
Hoped off to ioia Colonel Grierson, who
was then more than a day IS march in his
advance. The company took a westward
course, and soon struck the route taken
by the main force at Pearl river, which
they soon joined by a rapid march, and
when near Gallatin our cavalry suddenly
came upon team hauling q 32-pound
Parrot gun, destined for Port Gibson,
The piece was captured and spiked about
-fEe miles east of Gallatin.z
Colonel Grierson, detacheda battalion
with orders to march to the New Orleans,
jackson and Great Northern Railroad at
New Haven. The work of this battalion
was exceedingly destructive to rebel in
7terests. The railroad for some distance
was destroyed, several cars, water tanks,
and a. considerable amount of other
property was burned and telegraph wires
cut
o.. At daylight on the 18th, the advance
moved towards Brook Haven, and en-
tered that town so suddenly that 200
rebels were surprised and taken prison
ers. Some of them were found asleep
in their quarters A large number of
muskets packed and ready for transpor-
tation, also 500 tents at q camp of in
stretion, were destroyed. The camp is
said 10 have been one of the most extern
sIve and beautiful in the State. After
leaving Gallatin, our men encountered
Garland's cavalry, when a sill; b skir-
mish ensued, which resulted in loss TO
the enemy of several killed and taken
prisoners, feint having been made to-
ward Port Gibson with view to drive the
enemy, AMI a similar movement made in-
dieating Natchez To menace that
place, the main body marched on to
Brook Haven, already occupied by our
advance Colonel Grierson, on the 30th
ult, moved his force along the railroad
IN 3 southerly direction, destroying all
the bridges between Brook Haven and
Bogue Ghilestata. AT the latter place
fifteen freight cars were found standing
son the track partially loaded with army
stores, which, with the depot and other
railroad buildings, were fired. After
completing the work of destruction, Col
Grierson marched rapidly on to Summit,
where be destroyed % freight cars, and
finding no other Government property,
again left the line of the railroad for a
point between Magnolia and Liberty,
with view to reach Clinton road.
Information was received that regi-
2ment of rebel cavalry were moving tc-
ward Wassita. After some search they
were found at Wallis bridge on the Tick
faW. Our cavalry Immediately dashed
in among them, killing eight or ten, and
wounding quite number, and complete
~ putting the balance to the ront In
this engagement Colonel Grierson's loss
was one killed and FIVE wounded. Lieut.
Col Blackburn, Of the seventh Illinois,
who had been conspicuous for his brave
~ during the entire expedition, was
among the latter. He received a wound
in the thigh, and slight one in the head
and breast. 1t was believed he would
soon recover, but it was deemed advisa-
bic to leave him at house by the road
side. A surgeon and one man remain
ed with him. After dispensing the rebels,
fE fq 4Bf pE lQ east Of the Tick
changed their course, and went directly
south. At Edwards bridge they eneoun-
tered another regiment of the enemy's
cavalry, which had been posted purpose
" to dispute the passage of Col. Grier-
son and his men, One battalion was
sent to engage the enemy, while the
main force marched on in, the direction
of Greensburg. At Edwards bridge the
enemy conld not be made to fight, ex-
aeeptin skirmishes, in which they lost
several in killed and wounded. With
our usual good fortune, not one of our
men were injured. Thus far during this
unprecedented march; the appearance of
our forces, in most instances, was COM
plete surprise to the rebels wherever
they were found; but as no deliberate
plan had been laid by the enemys force
for the capture of Col Grierson's COM
mand, up to this time the rebels evident
ly thought, and go expressed themselves
IN their public prints and private cores
pondence, that it was the intention of
our forces to return to Lagrange, and
every effort was made with the view of
their reception on such return.
The rebels at last, became convinc-
ed that it was Colonel Griersons inten-
ton to pursue his hazardous march en-
tirely through their country, and deter
mined to stop, if possible, his further adj
vance It was well known that to pro-
ceed any further south it We d be nece .
sary for our forces to cross several
bridges, hence the regiment of rebel
cavalry was SO posted as to completely
flank Colonel Griersons men, while a
force of infantry was thrown in his front
to hold him in check until the enemys
cavalry could make an attack on the
flank and rear.
Colonel Grierson, seeing his danger,
dot es.I.4isaad +ha only cnnrse left
for him to pursue He ordered charge
on the infantry, and, with one dash,
broke through their line, and, in few
moments, left themin the rear Again,
strangely, we met with no loss.
After escaping this rebel trap, our
forces marched south to Greensburg;
thence direct to Clinton About ten
miles above that place, Col Grierson
crossed the Amite river On Big Sandy
creek, camp of guerrillas, styled
Hughes and Milburn's Partisan Rangers
was attacked, and one hundred and fifty
tents, the camp equipage and private
baggage were destroyed. At the same
time several horses belonging to the