Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1863-02-18
Gen. Wheeler,s Last Expedition

NEAR CAApLnIrE, February 6 1868.
We are iust returning from another expeti
ton down he Cumberland river, hat. as the
mercury stan Is 81 F1brenbsiti You cannot ex-
psxt n very lengthy or interesting account o
t. AT O'Clock, p. IN. m the I'D we came
in the vicinity of. Fort d N .lson, ana uIon
inquiry. %citiz.n> informed Us that the force
vas II u very large, and had no Notifications (;
wherrupnn il WAS concluded 10 attack the
point. Accordingly Gen. Forrest, with three
OF four hundred men Oh the right, and Gene
raj Wharton, with about the same number
IN the left, commenced the fight, which last
Q with much vigor for two or three hours.
IL was but the work of a moment to capture
Il part and drive the remainder OF the several
com which were posted outside the
fort ica'i MS Right bravely did our boys
move up to their work-General Forrest charg-
ing o.ce vn horseback and then again Oh
folt hut 81 strongly entreuched were the
Yankees in their iorlificsliun. and rifle pits,
that he retired, although he had succeeded in
entering the streets Of the town. Gen. Whar-
ton, with his command, hal succeeded in
getting iuto the town on the left, next TO the
river, after having captured quite a number of
prisoners, SINAI arms. and a very superior y
ponnd brass rifle piece with its c%siSson, horssE
and ammunition. Thus We drove them ID
a Snail space, but from their rifle pits and
win lows of houses they poured Il very heavy
fire upon MS, which am happy to say was
not very disastrous to US.
Night Was upou US, aud the broad silver
moon gave US her Cheering light by which To
continue the attack-but finding cur artil-
cry ammunition nearly expended, and that
Of the small arms steadily decreasing, it Was
determined to retire. just then information
r ached us that reinforcementS were coming
from Fort Henry, and we distinctly hearl the
slouts of those who were coming up and
own on the gunbost'. All these concurrent
CIRCUMSTANCE conb,ued To induce US to re-
tire. Before our rear had left the old forti-
icatio.s, the ganboats began 81 most furious
Smelling, which continued during nearly the
entire night. In summing up the results Of
the day, We have much to be proud of, for
seldom were more gallantry and true bravery
exhibited than on this occasion. Gen. For
rest is one Of the bravest men in any nation.
Gen. Wharton has all the fire Of q Scipio,
and the Little Hero, as usual, was almost
ubiquitous, directing each movement, and
from time to time appearing in the midst OF
the hottest fire to chase on the brave and
stimulate the tagging. We would have been
.glal to nave taken the garrison, but l.200
men in rifle pits, with "a fine battery of artil-
iery, was rather heavy FIR cavalry, but the
expedition resulted in the capture Of nearly a
hundred prisoners, among whom were live
commissioned officers, a lumber of wagons,
ambulances, small arms, and a inc brass ri
q I'd pie,e. Besides this, we burned a fine
tow-boat load d with provender. | cannot
stop now to give an aceount OF the individual
acts of gallantry on the part of officer. and
men but suffice it to say that numerous pro.
%rnotions will be tn result OF that days'S Ia.
bm. The enemy are believed to be in Pos
session Of Frakliu several thousand strong.