The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-07-18
Naval Operations on the Lower Mis-
SlSSiDui,


The Navy Department received this
morning communication from Rear
Admiral Porter, dated July I'd, in which
he saws that, on the 29th of June, he re-
ceived a communication from General
Dennis, commanding the post at Youngs
Point, informing him (Porter) that our
negro forces at Goodrich's Landing had
been attacked, and that the rebels were
getting the upper hand of them. A
gunboat had already been dispatched to
that point, but another was sent off with
out delay. General Elicit was detailed
to proceed to the scene of action and
remain there until everything was quiet.
The headmost vessel of the brigade, the
John Raines, arrived there as the rebels
were setting fire to the so-called Gov
eminent plantation, and supposing her
to be an ordinary transport, they opened
fire on her with field pieces, but were
much surprised to have the fire returned
with schrapnel, which, falling among
them, killed and wounded number.
The result was a retreat on the part OF
the rebels, and the escape of a number
! of negroes whom they had imprisoned.
The gunboat Romeo also came up the
river about this time, and, hearing firing,
hurried to the scene of action.
7 The commander soon perceived the
rebels setting fire to a plantation, and
commenced Smelling them This he kept
| up for distance of fif cen miles, chasing
them along the river bank, the rebels
setting fire to everything as they went
along. The result was an almost total
4 destruction of houses and property along
the riverfront in that vicinity. The rebels
carried off about 1900 negroes, who
were employed in working on the So
called Government plantations Gen.
Elicit landed his forces, and, in company
with black brigade, chased the rebels,
who were making basty retreat, when
they found there was force after them.
1t was no part of their system to fight.
They only came TO plumber and carry
off negroes Gen Elicit found the road
strewn with broken carts and furniture
which the rebels left in their haste to get
away from our forces. He pursued
them as far as Tensas river, where they
had crossed, burnt the bridges and en-
trenched themselves for battle.
This was soon afforded them, and our
artillery opened upon them and soon put
them to flight, Notwithstanding twas re-
ported they had twenty field pieces
General Ellet not knowing the country
very well, and having only small force
with him, deemed it proper not to pur-
sue the rebels much further. He sent
200 infantry across the bayou, and found
that the rebels were retreating to Delhi,
leaving all their plumber, splendid furni-
ture, pianos, &c, strewn along the road
The unexpected reinforcement of the
brigade and gunhoats, saved the whole
of the black troops. 1t is only a Temporal
~ peace though for as long as the blacks
remain in such small numbers, so long
will they be objects of attack. The par
ty who made this attack on the so-called
Government plantations, are the same
that attacked Milliken's Bend some short
time since. They are half starved, halt
naked set, and are in hopes of capturing
some of the transports with clothing and
provisions They have not done so yet,
and the necessary precaution will pre-
vent them doing SO.