Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-04-21
TmE mOvamRNrs ON raRE xAxoo.
HAYNES BLUFF, April I3, 1858.

THE MOVEMENTS ON TIRE XAZO0.
HAYNES BLUFF, April 10, 1853.
EDrORs APPEAL; With your permission
propose to give your readers the results Of our
experience and observation during the recent
expedition of our regiment up the Yazoo, to the
vicinity of Fort Pembsrton. But before doing
50 allow me to enHghten you as 30 our regi-
mens-who we are, whero we have been. and
what we have done. We rejoice under the nu-
merical appeIlasion of the 37th regiment Mis-
sissippi volunteers, Col o. s. Holland, Gen
Hibert's brigade, Gen. Aaury's division We
were organized instructed and drilled in the art
of war at Columbus, slept upon the scene Of
our maiden battle at IulIa, and came of from
the bloody fields Of Corinth veie1aus in arms.
At Corinth we lost our first colenel, Hon Robt.
McLsin, as well as other officers and mon, bravo
aud trus. Gathering up the fragments, We
next made ont our identity in the vicinity of
Holly Springs, whenee ne fell back slowly and
in order down to Grenada
About the lst Of January we took up quar-
ters near snyder's mills, where We remained
until recent date, constituting portion Of the
flank deienses of the "Gibrsltar Of the West"
Wednesday night, March 25.h, found US on
board tho ine steamer Mary Kene, 81 oxtempo-
rizqd gunboAt, en- route for Greenwood.
We passed the village Of sntarcis, the city
of Yszoo, and many plantations Of broad acres,
frontice-picced with beautiful country homes
ladies s.ssding on the portcoes waved US
friendly saluatiOns as We passed. and received
in response the hearty cheers of our brave boys.
Deep forests also fringed tho river banks, just
donning the livery of spring, fitting haunts of
bears, bald-headed eagles and cosl-black
squirrels.
Saturday, the 2sth, we landed at Camp Lor-
ing, two miles below Fort Pemberton, but re
mained on board until Monday, when We de-
banked and pitched cur tents along the brink Of
the broad and trimming Yazoo. Here we spec
ulated on tho prospects Of an Immediate bat
tie passing sentence on she entire position, fort
and all--some Of the wiseseres suggesting the
idea of another "Donelson trap" Under the
influence of this suggestion, many a glance was
cast at the broad river in sur rear, If csleuat
ing the chances of escape by swimming Our
plEhtlSy huu tlleO "a AAlu tltiLtNt were
ly in sight of each other tho most approved
amenities between them being an exchange Of
occasional rife shots and mimic balls Fed
sral pickets could be seen in the edge of the
woods, about Eve hundred yards distant from
the fort
At this point, near the bank Of the TaIa-
bGtchie, where its course sweeps n0rlhward, the
enemy wers discovered throwing up some kind
Of foTti6eations 10 command the guns of our
VI
concealed works and spaders, received the
distinguished consideration of orr gen
erals and for several days during the
week, our shells vera flying around it, right
into It, or through it. Some well directed sbo.s
were made, The shells exploding among The Yam
KEGS, making them scemper sway Ike rails to
thsiT holes
On Saturday morning early our regiment was
under arms, snd, in company with the 1st Mis-
sissippi battalion, Major Raybu commanding,
started On an expedition 70 reeonnoiter and siIir-
mish The enemy near bis camp. Tbe whole ex.
pedilion wss led by Col Holland, attended by
several mounted sids and eouriers We marched
through the fields, with many questions as 70
where we were going, what we were to attempt,
and what woHld be the probable result of the /
expedition. Things begin 70 assume serious
aspect IS we advance. Now we pass by a col
unln or two, drawn up in line Of battle; tbass
we conclude must be our reserve forcs. 4 little |
fuItheT on, Gen. Maury meets US, remarkjng !
upon our fine turnout as he rides toward cur
resT. We debouehe from the opsn fields and 1
follow an obscure trail through deep forests, /
reed-brsHes and bsyous.
The wediBg process was interesting if not /
very agreeable. Said one sf our picksss at the 4
the edge of the water, "you will have to wade |
about a mile and half" The greater number |
took the water as it found thsm, bas few rolled /
up their ''unmentionsbles," leaving on their
shoes. reminding one Of gentlemen Of the oldau
time in knee-bresches and fash-eolored stock
ings Finally, we are scTOs5 all the wateC-not
so much of il either, as had been reported.
Now our last pichets ara passed, and we sre
halted near the disputed ground to mske final
disposition of our forces to feel snd strike the
enemy. Msjor RsybuTn and his gallant listle
battalion sre placed in the van, two companies
being deployed right and left IS sl5rmishefs.
One division Of our regiment IS stationed here,
while another advances TO point four hundred
yards distant from the enemy's camp, and hslts
to await the denouE9nt. This ground had been
recently occupied by the Yankee pickets Their
tracks were still 20 be seen in tho soil and the
ashes from their fires had not baen raine1 upon.
We were evidently in Gloss proximity 20 the foe
The nen spoke but few words end the officers
gave their commands il suppressed tones
Our Colonel, with thu advanced skirmishers,
had disappeared ia the brake sbead Of Us, and
were cautiously feeling for the enemy Baug
bang went several shots ia the direction they
had taken. All became silent again for tima
when several other shots were heard. Another
interval, followed by some irregular firing and
ono or two sharp v0llies, snd all again became
still. Our boys had found and driven in the
euter pickets; and Ss we could Judge By the
beating Of drums, aroused tho camps of the
enemy considerably We lost one man killed
his name was Singleton, 8 member Of the bat.
talon and good soldier. It was supposed that
some half q dozen of the enemy were slain.
Having gone to the extent Of our orders,
which were only to reeonnoitsr, aud By no
means bring on battle, weEretired in order
When We had retired to a safe distance, some
heavy shells were thrown from eur fort toward
the enemy's camp by way of a quiesus TO the
movement we had prOlucsd. The body Of poor
Singleton was secured aud brought awzy BY his
comrades. With him It was the same as if regi-
nent had fallen-lile's battle hsd boss fought,
md a was oge~.
The same afternoon found rs back agGin in
camp, and a rumor going the rounds to the
stfsct that the Yankees had been largely rein
forced. The next day rumor told another tale
the Yankees are eyacustiug their position
A little lsteT-and ''they are all gone !' @Gan-
erals Iighman aud LOring had bean over to
heif iOrtiGcatiOns, and our shells had torn the
work all to pieces"
The next morning. thorough investigation
went very far toward a veriicatioa Of the report
Of madame rumor. Not Yankee wss to be
Iound anywhere, certain fragments of bons and
blood scarcely dried, showed whore one had met
his fate by the explosion Of shol Many
graves were also seen, four,of Them bearing date
Of April 4th, the day of our reconnaissance.
Two graves, it was said, were opened and
found to contain Eve or six bodies esch
Thus closed the latest attempt upon Fort
Pem5erton, and thus passed by tho emergency
requiring the presence Of so largo number Of
troops in the vicinity. Wednesday, Just two
weeks from the time Of embsrkation from
Haynes bluff, wetook's boat agein, and tho next
msrning heading southward we arrived on Fri
day at this point. Now, Mr. Editor, We do not
pretend to claim all, but only share in the
honor of breaking IN this expedition Of sbe