Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-10-02
For the Delaware Gazette.
From the SD Regiment.
v1cKsBURe. Sept. 3, 1868.

Htty Uli6S IN w eSteFQ LOQlSla0d-
/. The expedition was planned by Gener
t Grant, and was intended to clear that count
5 of guerrillas, and organized bands of rebel
:. AID give the loyal people a chance 10 con
I back into the Union, and to develop Il
e Union sentiment. The expedition was con
: manded by Brigadier General Stephenson, ar
consisted of Logan's Division three brigades
one brigade of Iowa troops, belonging /
MeArlhur's Division three batteries of artil
cry, ard several companies Of cavalry. In a
there were about four thousand five huDdre
picked men as those only were called upo
7 TO go who were able to endure hard marct
The expedition sailed from Vicksburg, on tn
evening of the 2lst of August, and lande
forty miles above on the Louisiana side.
Our destination was Monroe, parish towr
on the Washitaw River, seventy i've miles dis
tant. We started from Goodricbes' landin,
on the morning of the 23d. Several coloret
regiments are stationed at this landing, anC
they told US that there we're thirty thousand
rebels about thirty miles back in the country
| Left the River at eight o'clock for the inte
rior of Western Louisiana, the land of rebels
rattlesnskes and aliigators. Reached Bayou
Tensas at noon, twelve miles distant. and went
into camp. The country was level and unbro
ken by hills and ravines and the timber was
large and tall consisting of cottonwood
gum, cypress aud oak. There were but few
plantations and they were nearly all deserted
the buildings having been burned by the rebels
The second day we marched eight miles to
Bayou Macon and after wsding it, camped
on the west side. The weather was clear and
calm, and hardly a breath of cool fresh air
was stirring.
A high wal of timber on each side OF the
road, and another wall of high weeds growing
close to the track, kept out all fresh air, and
the sun shone down intensely hot, so thai
many Of the stoutest soldiers were overcome
with the heat and fatigue, and fell out to resi-
only in the hot shade.
After the first days march, many having
played out, and felt unable to go any farther,
got permission to go back to the river
On this Bayou, our advance encountered
the rebel pickets, and after a slight skirmish
drove them from their entertainments without
any loss The rebels retreated to Beouf river
closely pursued by our cavalry, and camped
for the night on the opposite side, while our
cavalry camped on this side.
The next morning we captured thirteen pris-
oners and two wuggOns, while the balance re,
treated to Oak Grove, where were stationed
about eighteen hundred cavalry and mounted
infantry.
The third day we marched eighteen miles
through a fiat country, heavily timbered, and
crossed several dry cypress svamps. The cy-
press knees stood thickly in these swamps,
growing from one to six feet high; round at
the base and tapering like cone to the top,
having smoothe bark and no branch what
ever. They are quite curiosity to the most
of us.
The trees had water marks on them from
one to fifteen feet high, and the largest steam
boats might have navigated the road over
which we marched for miles, had they been
there in time of high water. This food must
have been about the time that the Mississippi
was turned into Lake Providence last spring.
The woods had but very little underbrush in
places, and there was some grass growing so
that it looked quite green and the ground
was much beautifed with palmetto stalks or
palm leaves, which grew irregulary through
the woods. We camped. however, in a cane
brake of small canes, and not knowing where
to find good water, we were obliged to make
coffee from water we obtained from horse
tracks and cutters in he road. In this camp
we caught one bushwhacker who claimed to
be hunting for his gun, which some of the yam
KEGS had coniscated that evening. Several
very large rattlesnakes were killed here, which
some of the boys relished when made into
soup.
The fourth day, we forded Beouf River and
passed Point Jefferson Landing where in time
of high water steamboats, land and ship cot
.on. There were several Storehouses filled
With cotton bales and branded G. S. A. This
cotton, if shipped North and sold, would sell
or money enough to more than pay all the ex-
oenses of this expedition.
Marched TO Oak Grove, fifteen miles and
;amped. This is large and beautiful chest
nut oak grove in tue midst of rich and fer
lie country There are two churches and few |
dwellings, there. The rebels had fed in the |
orenoon at the approach of our cavalry, know
hat it was well supported by infantry. A
sw prisoners were captured here. A paroled |
prisoner from Vicksburg residing here, was
bout to be married to his lady-love, ard had
prepared even the table was set,
Oaded with all the good things" In half an
lour perhaps, the ceremony would have been
and happy union have been effect
d, but our cavalry entered the village-ob-
erved the table laden with the good things
eiDg somewhat hungry, they sat down around
/, and dispatched the Buptial feast in short
rider.
The Consequences was, the fair couple lost
heir dinner, and the matrimonial ceremonies
1ere tponed till the next day.
The fifth day We marched about eighteen
siIes. The land was higher than that we
marched over before, and gently rolling the
ell light clay and yellow sand. The timber
7as mostly yellow pine. The corn was gener-
lily small and the cotton short.
The sixth day we marched eight miles over
beautiful plain rich land, and large, fine
plantations, with luxuriant growth of cotton
] bloom heavy corn and an abundance of
wee: potatoes. We were then within one
nile of Monroe. A fine shower of rain tell
bat day. which laid the dust and cooled of the
ir.
The Mayor Of Monroe, hearing of our ap.
roach, came out and met our cavalry, and Of
red to surrender the place but the comman-
er of the cavalry told bin to go back and send
ut the Military Authorities, TO make the sur
ender, but no reply was returned. There was
ONE skrmishing near Monroe in the morning,
ut the rebels fed beyond the Washitaw river,
urned the bridge behind them and skedadled
0ward Red river. The cavalry and q portion
{ our infantry took possession of the town.
We remained in camp till the next morning,
I'd learning that the rebels had cleared them
lives, the General determined marching back
} the river. Early in the morning the drums
,uuded the reveiIle, and hasly cup Of coffee
,as made and breakfast over, we took the