Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-17
THE FEDERALs IN NORTH ALABAMA.
Correspondence Of the savannah Republican,

TULLAHoMA June 2d.-Learning the approach OF
considerable Abolition force up the Tennessee river at
the close OF last week, fastened the vicinity, in or
der to be able to inform you of the movements, num-
Der, object and success OF the expedition. On Sunday
wrote you from Decatur what particulars had then
been able to giean and now proceed to give &C
Count Of the expedition from its infancy. Two cousd-
cradle columns of mounted ufantry, accompanied by
artillery left Cornth at the beginning OF last week, one
crossing the river to the bank at Savannah. On
Wednesday The force on the North bank Of the river,
which it supposed would operate against Florence,
had not been reliably heard from, while the larger
force the South bank rapidly approached Tuscumbii,
N was believed with the determination 10 push to
Decatur and destroy the railroad bridge, which had
Quite recently been built the Tennessee at that
lpOrt, making Communication with Tuscumba and tie
South bank OF IN river perfect Upon tie ap-
Soeeh of this force, Colonel KodGy withdrew all his
force from the Norlh bank, leaving only Colonel
lanno's regiment five hundred strong, resist the ad
vance Of the other Abolition column, which as
in e vicinity of Savannah AMI 20 protect the vaua bic
factories at Foreuce Uniting his main force, Rodoy
sven advanced upon the force marching Tuscumsil
and Decatur and after feeble resistance it commenced
rg back rapidly toward Corinth, Rodly still contnu-
line in hot pursuit until he had driven the mariudeTs
,t5rough u.ka 10 the direction Of oorinth This sn
far De feet success, aud as highly satisfactory to lie
ENEMY as was 10 Col Roddy for formed part OF
his well executed programme. While Roddy had taken
his entire force except Harmon 20 pursue the invaders,
about b,UJD WOuuleu lul0llTy dDu bdbuNig
of artillery on the south bank the force the north
ode numbering 500 mounted men end two hositZers,
Learning of the success of their division the opposite
side of the river ad yauced rapidly and were met by
lannon's regiment beyond Florence, but pushed them
SO vigorously That the latter we're compelled to retire 10
Florence and beyond, while the vdntalS much TO IN ir
delight entered the place. commenced their work OF de-
srucior and fully accomplished the object of their ex-
psdition, burning two large ad very valuable cotton
'etoies upon which the people OF the Tennessee valley
we're dependent Tor their supplies, aud from WniCh
arge quantities of cloth we've procured 10y tae
-army These factories were the property OF Aarln,
iWe.kley & Co., and in Their loss the Conlejeracy
lfTsr seve,ev. The vaudals then proceeded to burn
M Masoic Hail. hotel, livery stable blacksmith shop,
a sucl other buildings might have proved useful TO
tive Confedeaes and having been IA tie town Tor two
or three hours accomplished their misSOr Ct drunk,
,eued the iAh abanls aud were fnaly driven out hy
Harmon in brisk iJle fsht, in which the latter uifr
u n loss of aptin Locke and Major jerks captured,
Ind but few were killed, wounded or captured on either
ado The Vandals fell back, pursued by uannO1, VINO
1esoatcbed courrts 10 ROddy 10 eudeaGor 10 intercept
naI ty and force rom Columbia was sent out Tor
Il q ,ame purpose. IL was reported Saturday that
Ioddy had cut them off from their boats aud drv-
them back toward Florence, but this proved untrue.
A. forces which went in pursuit nave yet returned,
liz have they been reliably heard from. In the en-
hement betwes the enemy and Ham o. we wee very
imna,e in not losing battery OF artillery which had
n sent without escort TO the ana OF the latter IL
in between the two forces, and was driving directly
te YANKEES, unaware Of their presence when i net
seA on the march The officer in command Of The
hatp rrovcd to have good sense ard presence Of
uiE and cooy directing piece to go into ba terry
aHrs on the enemy he put the rest Of the ertilery
al the retreat While the Yankees were getting INFO
Hbf bat.ie, and then withdrew his other piece witt
o,Ioss nd ran back in safety to Athens.
be result of the whole affair was that Roddy was
| ofnpte7 outwitted and deceived and that the Van
iFaccomplisLed everything they desired, and up 10
latest adyices had escaped unchastised
Irt what signifies it It succeed in capturing this
lJhdal partyy l. would afford satisfaction it Is true,
,{it would by no means repay Us Tor the damage and
kructon which they effected. IL i5 only singular
N curing this war no Of these expeditions have
In set on foot. Either party could sno-d to lose a
/ hundred men, who they would regain by exchange,
accomplish a mission of any considerable iupof-