New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-19

Attack and Rcpultc OF tho Encriy-
Arrival of Escaped Union Prisoner
Their story-Latcsf from the Captured
Officers Of tho 17Gih Ncw-X ork-Unioa
Prisoners i'm Texas Movements Of
Dick Taylor and Waller.
F,op Our SPECIAL Correspondent,
Port HUDSON La, Nov. &c 1903
The usual quiet is maintained at this post
Our Thanksciving passed Off with the stiffness and re
pose of a Sabbath. Religious exercises held in the
regiments and the officers mess garnshed IN many
cases with the fowl which Franklin proposed for our
national emblem stuffed and roasted in the approved
NewEngand style. Not over joyous these dinners
however. for there family circles throughout the
North where chairs were vacant and the home
reconcetions throw saddencd light over our camp fes
tvities.
The Corps dAfriquc. the greater part of which is
located here is doi. valuable service for the Govern
ment, and when the present abors completed. the
fortress of Port Hudson viii have the character of
permanent and substantial work. Alterations and i'm
proyemens projected and supervised by Major Long Of
the Engineers, nearly completed and should the
capture q the place he attempted the Rebels viii have
serious work TO DO than Gun troops eontended
against in taking 1t from them.
Our communications with New Orleans by the river
casonay ntcrruptod-the wires are cut between here
and Baton Rouge, and as promptly repaired by the
cavalry, disturbing the working Of the line but few
hours in each instance The Rebel scouts are seen by
pokets at times, but not lately in any force De
tsched bodies Of Rebel mounted inf8utry scour the
country about u.s. subssting wholly upon the planters
and farmers who pretend that their supplies taken
without their consent. Between Saichcz and Baton
Rouge there probably 500 Rebels thus employed
Several expeditions into tie interior country have
htely been made from this post by which valuable in.
formation and good supply Of ard cattle have
been obtained. The las; expedition was sen; 20 q
plantation Tunica Bend. twenty miles up the river
where We captured a large Rebel mail and several
thousand bushels Of corn. The xpcdition-composcG
Of rs Of the Ga Michigan and - Of the LIST Native
Guards (colorcd)-was commanded by Col. Bacon OF
the former -mont. Wien tho train OF wagons had
been loaded superior force OF the Rebels ade their
appearance and commenced attack. Our train was
at once moved toward the river and he enemy held
IN check by the Native Guards Who covered the ptreai
in which showed the most excellent discipline
Twenty of the 9TH Michigan who lad STayed from Their
command we're taken prisoners. Two OF The cOlorcd
troops who wounded cll into tie hands Of TIE
Rebels. private Of the Michigan troops Mas allied.
and two others were wounded
The tone OF tue letters captured was not sanguue al
though showing great determination and foritude
The steamboat Iecumsch. which fitted up 10 run
regularly between this port and New Orleans burned 20
the waters edge last week at the Nee Oh tie opposite
side OF the river The boat vas laden with co,9n pI-
chased by various traders AL Of which persisted The
fire purely accidental, although thought at INST To
4 sensation Was made today b. the arrival 4 two
escaped Union officers, Who came IN from the Rebel
lines They pitiil plight, being sloeiess ana
nearly naked The little clothing they had was torn to
shr-ds and their feet scorate6 dreadfy and swollen
that they could scarcely walk They escaped on The
night OF Nov. :. and were II days IL reaching The
Mississippi al Morgansa, where they found "a Union
gunboat.
cra,ing for colOTed regiment in Arkansas near tho
Southern line Of the state and few mics from the
Mississippi, when they were captured. Her small
force. numbering 20 men, just enlisted ana armed was
heInmed IN by 90 Rebels OF Dick Iaylors command
They held "a strong position. which they could have
maintained against infantry, Dut the heb.h IsI tN9
pieces of artillery with which they stood off and Ned
ihem and tie Captain had no guns be was unable l"
reply To the bearer Of dag Of truce the captain e'
pressed his determination To tgAt TO the !ast he
1naly surrendered after suffering considerable loss the
Rebel officers 1gne thor honor that the Mon troops
should be treated as pisoners - war. ne HesF''s
scaitered into the swamp III manner t-at lArf AAueI
stand perfectly and most Of them escaped: 4Ae 'eo
officers were iahou across tho country 20 Texas oh
thoir wav commanding officer of the Rebels wlo met
them upbrded the Olicers Of the escort i"f Aaf4Nf
made terms win To niger 4ps.ln, g.. 80 a.,
sweTcd that The captain Noud "intl . - INV oV,.
too dear They were taken through ShIiVespoi'
10 Fort Fosd' depot for Union pIis.Neis
Smith County, Texas Tyler IS llO m!co Directly west
from Shire, csp0rt. They were couhAel ~ t-t place
with coo other Union prisoners militia compai}
NJ, anJ Iieri Col Dreanne OF .he l75;h New. Yo.k
were among tie prisoner, and Lieut. GAeti, s'n Of
Dr. Gillette Of New orr ,al AeN -, ~ ~ : or
Surgeon Hushey oil the 1T Regiment Of ,lma.ia lf4s
sce captured early IN the Summer al BflsheF my
acre in iroUs and wer pit thus or two month"; Whfn
their sbaokles were removed and they we're treated -
other prisoners During Their tedious c0nhleneAs ana
suffering these officers kept Up their tpItS uie'''!
Lieut. Page was fun Of stories, Tan. anu song t Ap'
only subdl "a h.s own miseics bat Agtened lne his
NJ MS more fortunate a,sociates IAe fees Aei mn
with Capt. Maxwell and Lieut.. Marshall treating lasAI
~ well as the officers Of Northern troops. lle
fare at Camp Ford was |ietcneI, in'ui.g ~
wss given 10 the prisoners, ana nearly az "tle w,
foot without shoes stockings. HE laraei poruoh
gore without shelter except such covering ol D0ls.s
as they could make with he uso Of sng!e ,4S INC
prisoners arc in Of everything. when he mar
faiors about 10 attempt tier escape tLey "ofS
urged II intercedc with the head OF the Department u
tic Gulf and friends at home 70 have clothing anu otntt
ueoegsares sent 10 them. They think II krby Snlth
gave his word that supplies would reach them sueIy
Durng their imprsoniaeut several package Of money
were received By prisoners nom theT Ieha' lhIouS'
that General.
Prom Rebel accounts the surrender Of DIashear City
Was even more d gcef1 than has been represented
.rIe Pebel force In plain sight was allowed 10 cross
the river under the guIs Of the eatbw0T1 the ohcefs
in charge Of TIE ort fearing, AZ " Is sald 10 s~asPo
AZ The enemy by firing on their boats aic rails
No. q shot was fired by our white troops "i2 odt'
numbered the force 70 which they Dosely surrender ca
Capfain Aliens coi1p1y ~ negroes MADE sharp hoh'
and then took 10 the swamp The Rebels did not plf-
ns trena ,or AZ they said When ngger tahoe to
die bugl there's no u-e following nm' Nv" only were
tasen prisoners, both free negroes. Who we're ST u
1ork az Shreveport Nearly all Of Capt ls company
sherwafd in % The depots Oh TIE OPelou'a' 4"'
road aud are with thor regiMeA'.
Tie narrators sta that tley l0uho sehthes onu pc
uie very nuch dissatisfied with the war JudS4hB IRON
what they heard the great OF the iDhablthh VI
that section never had been Secessonists one nan o.
greet wealth before TIE commenced toa thoD VA
be would willingly part with all his property ~ tA0
anthorty OF the Union could be Teesabshed In Ie1ai
Large gangs Of slaves, frequently numbering -,