The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-03-17
The Late Brilliant Exploit Of the
Third Michigan Cavalry-Highly
Complimentary Orders. , IN
From the Advertiser and Tribune.

.Wf i From the Advertiser and Tribune.
Z We are indebted to J.. b. Sutherland, E,q,
Of this city for copies Of the following highly
complimentary orders relative to the late
brilliant exploit Of the Third Michigan Cav
airy, of which we published an account some
days since. We wish we could record more
achievements by our troops, equal to this for
daring. promptness and perseverance,: .lI
Headquarters Chief Of Cavalry,
jackson, Tenn, Feb, %, 1868.
General Orders, No Sit is with a min-
gled feelings Of pride and pleasure, that the
Colonel Commanding announces to the caval
ry Of this District, the splendid achievement OF
the Sd Michigaa Cavalry, under Captain
Cicero Newell, on the morning Of tho goth
inst.
y While securing the country along the Ten
nesseo river, east Of Lexington and about
twelve miles above Clifton, he discovered an
old sunken flat boat, and having previous
know ledge Of tho presence Of the noted Col.
Newsum and some rincty of bis followers at
their old haunt Clifton--on the opposite
bank, he Immediately conceived the plan Of
crossing the river under the cover OF the
night and attempt their capture. '-
Foiing all suspicion Of the Inhabitants by
starting off with his entire command for Lex
ington, then turning into the woods and con
cealing his force until night-fall, when he
hastend to point on the river four miles
above the fated town, where he found the
flat-boat safely moored in charge Of Sergeant
vowels, of Company X, and six men, who
had baied out the boat, manned il with
pair Of rude oars, aud in The darkacss OF The
night, had floated cautiously down the rvel
eight miles to this point. Finding the fiat
boat incapable Of freightiug the entire party
aud there being no tvne for second trip, SIX
ty men were selected and embarked on ihei
hsz,rdous voyage. Gaining the opposite
bank two miles below, they found after
wearisome reconnoisance, that they were On
tircly cut off from the main land by IN ex
tensive bayou; yet nothing daunted, they re
embarked, and landed again quite near tn
town, which they Immediately surrounded
and dashed in upon tho astonshed, halt
awake, half clad enemy, and secured the en-
tire party, consisting Of one Colonel, thre
Captains four Leutenants, and sixty-one en-
listed men, with their horses, arms and cquif
ments complete, without the loss OF singl
man. . \,
But we have TO regret IA accident 10 tti
brave commander, Capt. Newell, who recel'
ed serious but not dangerous wound. Capt
F. G. Adams, of the 81 Michigan Cavalry
then assumed command, and safely re'crosse
the Tennessee river with all his prisoners an
captured property.
He, with all the officers anl men OF tn
heroic little band, deserve the highest pral'
for their cheerful and hearty seconding oil lh
happily conceived expedition.
| While wo admire and applaud the mob
achievement Of Capt. Newell and his lltt
party, let us learn to emulate them, and !
spired with the love Of the noble and u
brave, and this example before us, LET us tai
courage and press this civil strife with redou
led energy. By order Of j. X. MINER:
.1.b - gai Col. and Chief Of Cavalr
Tncs. b. WEIR, Lieut. and A. A. A. Y.