The New York herald., 1863-07-11
Mr.. d. w. Johnst0A's Despatch.
ON BOARD SIEAMER SALrE RoBIrsoN, |
BxLOW PIAQuY16INE Iulx g. 1853.


Mr.. 6. w. Johnston's Despatch.
ON BOARD STEAMER SALLrE RoBrrsoN,l
BELOW PLAouEnNE, July 5, 1858. !
The Rebel Cavalry Raid upon Springfield Landi,g-.De
trpoion Of Clothing Belonging to Unnsam's Nao
Breads-Daasls Of the A0atr-0ur Lossss-7Ae Ahock
on the Hberto-Operaions Of 7ayor's Rcosl Eorces &C.
Last Thursday evening" At six O'Clock We left Spring
field landing about ten miles below Port Hudson Since
then we have had anything but pleasant time
Probably before this reaches you you will have re-
ceved brief account Of the dash Of Logans cavalry
(abou six hundred strong) into Springfield Landing.
am now able TO give you the particulars OF the affair
II appears that for sometime the rebe here have had
army which has been held in check by General Grer-
sons command. Thursday morning, before day light,
by some means not yet clearly explained, Logan managed
to get completely around the main body OF our
army before ort Hudson, and dash down on
Springfield Landing where large amount Of government
stores are lying The rebel cavalry entered the place
about four o'clock and took the small force in the mme
date occupation Of the landing quite by surprise II
evidently ogan's intention TO destroy that
came In his reach. Had he been successful he would
pave inflicted immense loss 10 army. Fortunately
as the sequel will show, he opporuney frustrated.
AS soon the rebels entered Springfield Landing after
having driven small force before them, they
menced the pr0mscuous destruction Of everything that
came within their reach. Their attention first
directed to large amount Of camp equpage and clothing
belonging TO General Uman's negro brigade. Their de-
would seem that Logans had oreknowledge Of
the brigade they belonged to- for they seemed to
else iendsh delight in destroying every vestge Of the
stores intended for Gen Umans After the rebels
had fired everything within their reach belonging
General Ulmans command they turned their attention to
the wharf where waak lying steamer loaded with
muntion During the melee, however the boat had got
up steam, and while yet the rebels demanding her
surrender she showed OF from the wharf and moved
to the other side OF the river amid shower OF balls
from the enemy's carbnes. Fortunately no damage
was done except the shooting Of the pilot Of the
several negroes who attempted to escape by,
jumping on the boat as she was leaving the wharf
shot, About eight O'Clock of the raid reached Gen.
Banks headquarters and Colonel Grerson despatched
with portion Of his command to engage the rebels Un
uckyl say unluckiy because such had not been the
case in all probability the entire rebel force would have
been captured-a New York regiment, the number OF
which was unable TO learn. encamped but short
distance from the Of action. drawn
in line of battle and Immediately charged Logans
men, Although the rebels were flushed with the excite
ment OF success and still actively engaged the work of
destruction they In turn taken by surprise and
after few moments hard fighting, completely routed
after they had rereated from the landing and at
started in pursuit At last accounts Logan had avoided
capture, and still Tetreatng through the woods into
the interior Altogether under The this raid
the Of the rebels brilliant and desperate af
ar IN the engagement we sustained no loss except OF
property. The enemy lost ten killed and took eight
prisoners.
At six O'Clock on the evening of the day the fight
yoar correspondent left Springfield landing on the steam
Salle Robinson, for New Orleans, h ping to reach
that city in comparative safety but all hu-
man hopes are liable 70 disappointment, SO was
my contemplated security. Nothing occurred TO
nterrupt trip down the river until we reached
point about five miles below Dopadsonville, when we
suddenly brought TO by gunboat, which halted
so hastily scarcely to give us time - round to- We
we're informed by the commanding officer OF the vessel
blockading further progress that was not safe to
proceed further down the river, the rebels in
Testing the banks considerable force and that heavy
firing had been heard only few miles distant which
evidently occasDed py some attack on one Of our trans
ports We wisely concluded TO remain until daylight,
when had the promise Of the protection O armed
friend We had been lying stu scarcely hour when
the steamer Zephyr came up the river and brought Hfor
nation that the rebels had several bteries planted be-
low that they had fired into and disabled the steamer
Iberia that that vessel was aground and required mmed
ate assistance Firing could be distinctly heard ard we,
in company with the ginboat, at once steamed down
the river 10 nd, IL possible, the Iberi,. When within
about half mile Of the iberia, which found TO
villc the Saie Robinson attacked by the rebels
by vollies Of musketry. Several balls Iassed THROUGH
the boat and at due time the prospect Of a rro-
longed existence the part OF your correspon-
dent rather dubious. The gunboat accom- anied
us after throwing few shcns into the woods whence
the firing proceeded drove the rebels from their hiding
places, and left free 10 to the assistance OF the
iberia. When reached this steamer we found her In
an exceedingly iorlorn condition The rebel had
effectively disabled her Several balls had passed through
her hull The ono doing the most damage had passed
through her machinery Al the time the IBERIA
ed her passengers amone the number several ades
dan, ing IN the cabin The CONSERVATION when the first
shot passed through the vessel is said TO have fright
iul. Regardless OF the screaming OF the and the
evident tact that the boat loaded with passengers,
the enemy continued to pour voley after voley among
the entirely defenceless people. Although several
balls passed through the clothes OF the passengers
wounded. The shells Of the gunboat having
sicDced the enemy. The Sae Robinson after consdera
Bile hard pulling succeeded getting tho iberia OF
taking her In followed by the gupboat We started
on our way down the river, and reached New Orleass
without further mishap.
able TO say Information derived through off,
cial sources, thar the rebels have force twelve
thousand strong forty miles above New Orleans undor
command Of Dick Taylor