The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-12-10
AasIlrilIf Aaiotl.
Freedom and Nationality.
THURSDAY MORNING. DEC. 10, 1868
HecruitIng RAID.

vi tHS ANgA Va 1stftnybI ftACueQ
Col. WildeF's headquarters, st MaysviIle,
Ala, ten miles from Huntsville, in com
pany With Capt. Edward Potter, Of the
scouts at MarfreesbOro, snd Lieut.. Bufin,
who is one Of the illustrious survivors of
the expedition that captured the State
Of Georgia. under the direction Of the
late Gen. Mitchell On the following
day Col. Biggs, commanding the I23d
Illinois Vols, of Wildsr's brigade, started
on an expedition into the region of the
Tennessee valley, for the three fold pur l..
pose Of watching the enemy, obtaining
stock for the use of the army, aud giving
the recruiting agent an opportunity for
enlistiDg colOred men for the United
States service. With permit from the
gentemanly commander Of that post,
Gen. Crook, and in company with Col.
Biggs and staff, we left camp on the
morning of the 10th Of November. A
gsyer and more gentlemanly company of
officers l rever met with-all shall fell
lows well met" and al earnest in the
work before them. They are sometimes
known as "Wilder's thieves" from the
fact that with their intrepid leader and
Spencer rifles, they have q strong pro-
clivity to crop out this unholy rebellion
in summary manner, like men who are
in earnest in the cause Of their coun try !;
and take or destroy everything that may
be of service to the enemy.
Our first days march was from Mays
vile, through Huntsville, to Whitesboro,
on the Tennessee river, where we blvou
scked for the night. Our pickets were so
close at this point that they cOnversed
with those of the enemy, the river only
separating them. Oar march from Mays
vile to Whitesboro, distance of some
twenty-five miles, was a pleasant one
and through country once beautiful and
under high state of cultivation, but now
showing sad signs of wars desolalion.
Thus far we had 81 accomplished but little
IS regards our mission, as both armies
had passed thrOugh'this section, and LETT
nothing. After hard and somewhat
scanty supper, we passed the evening in
smoking our pipes and relating stories Of
the camp and field, and after maturing
our plans for the morrow, turned in on
the feathery side of = plank. Early dawn
found us sgain in the saddle, and we
were off for MOOresVille, twenty miles
down the Tennessee river. The country
here is rough and spArsely settled,
principally occupied by planters of
small means, and uninteresiing. Bat
as eve go marching along" the
Scouts are on the alert, and from every
direction came prisoner, stock and
negroes. Long before we reach our des-
tinAlion our column had increased to
such an extent that it reached . mile
long. Such q molly crowd of prisoners,
horses, mules, hogs, sheep, cattle and
negroes, is seldom seen, especially in this
section. The road was fairly blOckaded
and rebeldom was sadly perplexed.
Brownsville is small village four
miles from the Tennessee river, situated
in one of the most beautiful countries l
ever visited. This was once the home,
and lately occupied by the late Gov.
Bibb of Ala, a good Union man. The
family stih entertain the same feelings
Of their illustrious ancestor. We re-
NAMED at this place two days. Stock
and property of every kind accumulated
and on the 15th our column moved for
ward to our quarters on the Tennessee
river. Just st this junoturs the Rebs
crossed the river in small parties and pro-
posed giving Us a fght, knowing that We
must necessarily be burthened with cur
stock &c. Oar pickets and scouts With
their formidable "Speneer's" drove them
back, killing and woundiDg several, only
leaving one our of men on the field. The
next day Gen. Crook sent US 3 regiment
of cavalry and we moved slowly forward
with our caravan" and reached Hunts
vile much elated with our success. The
result of our scout fOots up 100 head
of fat cattle, 500 hogq, 800 sheep, $50
horses and mules and 800 negroes. De-
stroyed 5 coo bushels Of corn which the
rebels had brought to the river to ship
South. When reach camp found $50
negro men in camp whom / Immediately
forwarded to Murfreesboro to complete
the regiment now forming At that point.
/ wish here TO express to Col. Biggs
and staff and officers and men Of his
brigade my thanks for the kindness and
attention extended to me, and add my
testimony TO their already well earned
fame as gallant and brave soldiers, and
courteous agreeable gentlemen. Nay my
lot be again cast among them
81 .C.