New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-01

cove, oround M fast 4 we lose IT, or our system OF
defense Will be thrown into confusion. The oth'r
d,v il might have been immaierial whether we
watched the devtlopuert Of each new movement OF
the enemy, or ne. him half way. IL might have
made little difference whether We brought on or oe
cliued "A battle, but now we mus hght. Inc grounu
lost must oe regained though II be at the ooh' OF
thousands and thousands OF h'es', .ro
snirt that anmaics tie Rebels, and their ac's arc
tho,c Of men desperately in earnest Men TINS en-
eryiZeJ musi be met in the sasc spirit OF 'he CAUSE
of the Republic IL lost.
The movement 10 GU on GRAFT has teeh Wlrep
nj AIMED and ably executed and there can be 10
doubt hut that Jof. Davis himself has had some
thiny 10 do with H. Within the lest tvo weeks he
has been in Tennessee, Alabama and Mis.Is-iPp''
and HE presence Las infused new life into the wan
inc cante in the Nest. The movement toward the
railroad was commenced in tennessee prooaoIy ~
Nurfree sboro as tie force seems undoubtedly 10 De
a part OF Bragg army. AT all events We mo"
that they crossed the tennessee RIVER az 'h',ol,
IS milos east q Jackson and that having marchen
20 miles 10 Lexington, they remained theie TWO 0,
three DAYS till communication could be esiaDilehe1
with Van Dorm, who, with jackson cavalry an
n considerable force T iriantry and artillery Nae
marched into the north-we'iern corner OF AiV'nnn,
IA was ro orted, to Join Bragg at some pclni beow
Na.tyille bat really with tho intention 81 making
dash on the railroad in Grant rear, and cutting Oh
ard DESTROYING hs supplies. The force that crossed
al Clifton was composed OF O,VN cavaIp; ubuo'
Gen. Forrest, supported by infantry and 9aie'y,
under Chcattan. Their presence near Jaohto"
worked admirably for the Rebel cause. IL was sup
posed thew intended 30 attack jackson, and rcen-
fotceiEeuts were sent for 10 HOLY Sprihgs ias'
Thursday nigh, and men we're forwarded on fTii'S
morning leaving only about sOo 10 guard 'he piHoc
Re-enforcemene were also cent Gown rom Ioi''',
bns and from the stations along the road. Nearly
al The troous along the line OF The Mobile ana Ohlo
kailroad. from Columbus TO Holly Springs, were
hus tuddeniy concentrated ct jackson.
On ursaav morning a reconnaissance was ZEN
on, from Jackson. under Col K. q. Ingerrol of the
18th Ilinois Cavalry, 'be force ccnslsllng OF he
own regiment part OF tie 5tn Ohio Cavalry, part oil
the ~ tennessee Cavalry, Col. Ila"kins ana Two
guns from tho I4th Indiana Artillery, oouimanded
by Ilcut. Mcclure. At day break on Friday morn
ing they attacked the Rebels AZ AioEsOn' "nu
three hours skirnsh ensued, in winch Col niger
soils command WAS considerably wotsted linn
self Elk 0. his officers, and IA men were takeh
pri.oners; seven killed, ten wounded, and the
two pieces OF artillery captured FORFEIT then
marched toward the railroad and struck u al CafTo'l
station nine miles north of Jackson and from that
point lie marched up the railroad, taking station
after station, and burning bridges, cnNe'ts anu
trnstlework. At each station lew soidlers were
stationed. AT some they attemt ted resistance, az
others thew suIrendcred, and from come they ned
Wien they reached Humboldt they cent IN flag OF
trnce and demanded the surrender OF the town |
The Lieutenant in command replied that he womb
fight them fret. i sorry cannot give his name;
but while the pdlIey WIS Roihx oii NC pun AZ '"o
Government valuables into the station mouse,
sci fire 10 it and fed; the Rebels, how
aver. cot 30 prisoners. AT Trenton, Col Fry, |
in command, attempted resistance lie piled
cotton round the stalion-house for breasworks
and rot hs meu behind them. He had three pieces
Of artillery. Wbeb the rebels were near enough he
oreued on them, ard they returned the fire with Fix
pieces of artillery. After the rebels had hred some
thirty sbots, Col. Fry surrendered One reoei was
I,lIrd aud one wounded. They then eet fire to the
station house and cotton, and the whole was soon
consumed At each station was moro or less cotton
all OF which wac burned. Four cotton buyers were
captared at Trenton, and four others escaped aud
came through to Columbus on foot. Inc rebels are
very severe on cotton buyers, and II. they escspe
with their lives they may thank their lucky stars
PRISONERS cav that there was diminishing all day |
Saturday in Forests rear and at times he seemed
holly pressed. II is supposed he was followed by
the cavalry force that had escaped az Lexington.
Sunday, when near Union city, all the prisoners
were paroed and allowed 70 come to Columbus, the
rebels saying they gong TO retreat across the
Tennessee: but this vas blind. as they returned
Monday hight ard burned the bridge over Big Albion
river and the Union city. Yesterday they had ap. |
preached to within few miles OF Columbus, ana
last NIGHT an attack On that place was hourly eA-
pected The troops were drawn up IN line OF 6attie
re.enforcements were sent from BIT. Louis ana from
Cairo, and every effort. was beng made 10 repul'c
them. may Be able to state results before clonDg
this letter. Gen, Davies is in command al co'aH'