The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-07-14
PURSUIT. AND CAPTURE OF YANKEE
RAIDERS

RpooKHAvEN, MISS, June 29-The Federal
cavalry so badly frightened, last Wednesday, by
the blank number of officers stationed here, and
ia command of this important post, were brought
back this day as prisoners Of war. Now for few
pnvarnished facts in this case: This SQUAD of
Federal cavalry left Grants army, ordered to de-
strov some bridges on the Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road. They proceeded without molestatioa to
Brookhayen, where, being badly frightened by the
officers aforesaid, they only stopped about 20 min
utes. burning eight cars, and hurriedly proceeded
on their way At o'clock, about % citizens,
bows and old men, with three or four soldiers in
cluded. left in pursuit of the frightened Yankees;
travelling Wednesday and Thursday nights, Friday
morning brought them in advance of the Yankees.
Thursday night, the Yankees crossed Leaf River,
tore up the bridge to stop any pursuit, and then
camped few miles on the other side. Our little
band finding themselves thus cut off, obtained
pilot, went few miles below, crossed at ferry at
IL o'clock at night, and though weary, pressed on
and took an old road that led into the read on
which the Yankees were travelling, and by day
light had the satisfaction of knowing they in
advance of their hated foe. After leaving Brook
haven, this party was ever changing, some con-
stanty eaying-their patriotism giving out-and
others taking their places as recruits; at one
time ouy five six were present and at others as
high as sixty; but on the morning of Friday, 10Th
inst; only twenty five were present, ready and
eager for action 10 any manner that offered itself
to capture this band of robbers Devastating our land
Our glorious little band badly mounted and only
armed with double barreled shot guns, took posi-
ton in ambush, where stream ran parallel to and
then suddenly crossed the road; tearing up the
bridge, the leader and two or three took posi-
ton there, and signal for action Lieut.. Wilson
was to fire, but unfortunately, one of our men dis
obeyed orders, and emptied the saddle of one of
the Yankees. When the advance of the Yankee
Captain and nine of his in range
our boys banged away, killing four aud wounding
fve-the Yankee Captain only escaping-who in
stanty surrendered. The Yankees in the rear i'm
medately fed, but soon formed in line-of battle,
and tried to draw our men out of their ambush,
but this did not take. Our boys kept concealed
until flag oftruce was sent forward for parley:
Finding it vain to ascertain our force or to draw
our men from ambush, the Federals surrendered
and stacked arms; when out marched thirty five
old men and boys from their place of conceament.
Imagine the Federals' surprise and modification
at being whipped by an inferior force of ragamufS
fins. Had there been but ten determined men, with
discreet leader, the same results could have been
attained. These raids will do to compare with the
gun-boats in terror on their first appearance. Let
the old men and boys of our country rally by
neghborhoods with their trusty though much de-
'spised shot guns, and no force the enemy send
against US can go far in such country ours
without being 'annhilatcd. The capture Of the
Federals took place three miles this side of Ellis
yille in Jones County, and within an easy days
ride of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. How for
tunate the country has been in being delivered of
this band of murderers and assassins -JachSon
Mississippian