Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-05-22


their mscalculaiiou, as well as surprised at
the boldness of Col. Grerson in marching
through to Baton Rogue. Ml
Our troops, although they in many in
stances passed themselves off for, Van
Dorn's or Jackson's cavalry, whenever re-
cognized by the country people were treat
ed in the most respectful manner, and on a
number of occasions the strongest demon
STATIONS were voluntarily made Of Union
feeling which is evidently existing among
the people. Our men were frequently
cheered, and invited TO share Inequalities
in the name of the old flag--all showing
that it is only necessary to once more es-
tablish the authority of the Government to
bring back, to its allegiance the noble, Sta Q
OF Mississippi. In many instances the in
habitants along the different routes taken by
our cavalry, when they found we were not
as We had been described--namely, robbers
and assassins, insulters of women and chill
dren. and anything else contemptible-bad
us God speed, and acknowledged that they
had been bitterly deceived. In every in
stance private property was respected, I'M
less found in the hands of euerrilas.
On one occasion seven of Col. Grierson's
scouts stopped at the house of wealthy
planter TO feed their .jaded horses. Upon
ascerlaining that he had been doing little
guerrilla business on his own account, our
men encouraged him in the belief that, as
they were the invincibe Van Dorm cavalry,
they would soon catch the Yankees. The
| secession gentleman heartily approved OF
what he supposed to be their intentions, and
enjoined upon them the necessity of max
ing as rapid marches as possible. As our
men had discovered two splendid carriage
horses in the planters stable, they thought
under the circumstances, they would be
justified in making an exchange, which the y
accordingly pro eeded TO do. As they
were taking the saddles from their own tired
steeds, and placing them on the backs ofthe
wealthy guerrilas horses the proprietor
discovered them, and at once objected
He was met with the reply that as he was
anxious the Yankees should be speedily
overtaken, those after them should have
good horses "All light, G .ntiemen," said
the planter; " will keep your animalsur-
till you return. suppose you will be back
in two or lhree days at the farihest, and
when you return you'll find they have been
well cared for.v Our soldiers were some
times asked where they got their blue coats.
They always replied, it they were travelling
under the name of Van Dorn's cavalry,
that they took them at Holly Spring, ofthe
Yankees. This always excited great laugh.
ter among the secessionists. Our scouts,
however, usually wore the regular "secesh
uniforms.
Capt. Forbes, of Grierson's cavalry, left
the main body for scout. with 80 men,
while going through Mississippi, and rode
into the town OF Enterprise, where he found
about 5000 rebel troops just getting off the
cars. He promptly raised flag of truce,
and boldly rode forward, demanding the
SURE nder OF the place, in the name OF Col
Il Gricrouu. The ~o..sa,~.al,a.s 4reL~l .efioes
i Col. Goodwin--aske ed one hour to con-
slider the proposition. and wished to know
where Capt. Forbes would be at that time
The captain answered that he would &c
back with the e ly to the reserve-wbcf
he d d pretty rapidly, after having shrewd.
ly ascertaned the strength of the enemy
1t is not known whether Ehel prise evel
surrendered or not, or whether the rebe
f colonel is still trying to find the reserve,
10 make his penitent bow-but one thing
certain is that Capt. Forbes, with his little
squad of 80 men, did not intend TO take
those 5000 rebels prisoners - that time al
least-and was laughing in his sleeves many
| miles off while those Enterprise-ing people
, we're trembling in their boots. The Mobile
Register, in the depth of its CONSERVATION
and chagrin, treats this ridicnlods sell witt
=, the most .ibsur Il and amuSinu uraxyity The
r Register says " The only thing satisfac
lorily explained is, that they ran away from
Enterprise as soon as they heard that 'OlC
Blizzard was about"
; Col. ericsson says, that had he lad the
means, or had it formed part OF his plan
he could have had at least two brigades o.
colored men who were anxious to join him
if he could have armed them. another proc
of the desire of the negro to be free, and
his willingness to serve the Union cause
As it was, about 500 negroes, and 10C
horses were brought in, besides cattle.
At one place they photographed about the
: movement of the enemy, when large
: force started from their camps, the Unior
cavalry marched direct to the camp the
Rebels had left and destroyed it, and thu:
avoided this large force at the same time.
They had very clever way of cutting
the telegraph wires SO as to avoid discov.
cry. Instead of cutting the wires and let
ting the ends hang loosely, they tied ut
the ends with strips of leather, SO hat il
would not be easily seen, and yet the con.
nectloD was severed.