Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-14
A NIGHT NAR0H-THE POWER OF MUD.

correspondent Of the Savannah Republican, gives
the following racy account of tie march of Johnsons
army from jackson:
On the night of the 10th we commenced our retreat
from Jackson it having been learned that Gen. Grans
was endeavorDg to flank our army By crossing Pearl
river. We could have held our position against odds
had we had a column to protect our rear. But our
position was becoming one of danger. The retreat which
was inevitable began between sunset and dark, and was
executed scientifically strategcaly in order, and With
brilliant success The of the wagon trains crossed
the river before the army followed. Field pieces from
the breastworks we're Withdrawn after dark by hand,
that the enemy might have no suspicion Of john
stons intention. The enemy in force charged our
works early next morning. When within thirty
or forty yards Of the supposed expectsnt foe the ON
nous silence created panic and the retreat was pre-
cpit7te. Withdrawn to safe distance they rallied and
again came up, with fixed bayonets, and dscordInt
wells; this time their victory complete. They car
red everything before them and planted the flag in tri
umph upon the deserted fertilization. The city was
afterwards formally surrendered by the Mayor Our
treat was in the direction Of Brandon which place
| reached between and o'clock next morning. Worn
out by eight days in the trenches aud the forced march
of the previous night, cried for rest. Still three
/ miles of our march remained uncompleted, and there
such indulgence to be permitted, until the mex
orable military law executed Many poor fellow
had "hurtin in his back, pain in bis misery and
"weaknes5 all over before the army halted A half
days rest good meal two Of roasting ears, and
whole nights Sleep refreshed the boys for he morrows
/ work. The msrch was resumed at en- early hour
the mex. morning. This second chapter of the
| retreat from Jackson was entered in letters
of darkness on the record of the Mississippi
army. Through the usual heat and dust and in
terminable lanes We trudged till 6, p N. Just as we
resumed the march after temporary halt drenchiDg
rain descended The roads in this country very
even. The soil is clay-impalpable powder when dry,
sticky as pine gum and slippery as glass when wet.
The men sought every path and by-way through wood
and thicke and over fences into corn fields to avoid
the mud while daylight lasted. When darkness came
the rain bad ceased When the darkness prevented
seeking the shelter Of the woods the road became in
evitable and ike a foilorn hope IL we dashed daring
ly and through and over, and around these hills of
muddy adhesive clay, this army marched till midnight
The gules formed either side Of the wagon road by
the rushing waters huge and slippery creased
barber pole-tbese gulies must be avoided or "down
GOES your chimney" Aen Of large understanding, and
men who regard the advice of $50 low our nose kept
their perpendicular with very fair success; rashness,
heedlessness and haste met their reward in mud and
slush
A deep and slushy hole would nov and then entrap
the watchful and wary aud from the soft
catastrophe, others rashly treadng his heels would
bite the dust ~ at the se-same spot; and they'd
and fall until battalion after battalion had LEFT the
impress of its form on the soil of Aississppi-a dis
graceful impression but as unavoidable as it nasty.
Mounted men Jared toersbly wel-the Field and Staff
blessed their stars "they not other men were'
As time wore on, and
like pal at rest, on pulselesJ breast
Nights funeral shadow slept"
began tire of the ncessaut strain upon their legs
aud vision fires would dot the roadside ard hers the
weary sagger could be drying his saturated gar
ments by the cheerful blaze With dauntless intrepid
ty we "Waded in and at last got home Our division
camp was soon blaze of light. Preparations we're
rapidly made for drying blankets and every article of
wearing apparel Leaves were spread down for cOuches
the blazing fence ralsa couple Of hours atten