, 1863-01-22
F4S0IE THE CUMBERLAND
RIVER.
Tho DcprcdatIonH of the Guerf1!as-
Murder OF Negroes by the Rebels.
Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Commercial
STEAMER UAsTIxas Jan. Is. 1Af3.

Correspondence OF the Cincinnati conamercial.1
STEAMER HAsT1Sos, Jan. 19, 1868.
The ill-fatcd sanitary expedition is nearing
its destination. 3fylast sketch left us at Har-
pcth Shoals, waiting our sentence at the hands
Of drunken guerilla band, who, after the 1g-
nominious surrender Of the gunboat Slldeil,
became almost delirious- They shouted, they
swore, they rushed aboard the Slidcll and
lie river. The,riaing Of the boats having
been completed, they made preparations to
burn them. Ny request, TO cross tho river
and remain there during the burning opera
lion, was granted.
Tic splendid steamer Parthenia was fred
first, then the Trio, followed by the Slidell.
The flames soon epread to al~parts Of the
steamers, and not many moments elapsed
until all were i'll full blast, causing such an ln-
tense heat as to fire tho then dry stubble on
the opposite side Of the river, near the Hast
inse, causing us to make another move, re-
crossing and landing short distance above;
The scene was terrific. When the heat reached
the magazine Of the S1idell, many terrible ex~
| plosioHs Of shell, and other ammunition,
| look place, sending balls and pieces Of shell
all around, Du,ing the progress Of the firc
the enemy had mounted their horses, and sat
gazing in drunken stupor at the scene.
The wild flames at last began to gr7pple
with the waters of the Cumberland, which, In
The end, came Oft victor. The lines Of the
Parthcnia parted, and. che ,drifted slowly
away to the north bank Of the river. The
question then passed from lip to lip. What
ncxte It was soon answered by one OF
Wards aids, ordering us te drop down and
take cargo, some passengers, and the
wounded gunner Of the Sideli, young Ester.
fort, on board. While this order was being
carried into effect, I had some conversation
with one of Gen. W1eeler's aids. HI
| was eorry that Col. Wade md his 1ner
had got drunk and behaved so badly. They
| did not intend to hurt or wrong tnnoccn
any rcparatiou. &c then said, that it was th'
general order flat VIC should remain there Al
Iiour md hall, aud in the event Of our re
ce;vIng no order, to pass unmo1estea- Ihen
with "rcmember the cotton, Captain" Ii
waved his adicu, and the gang Ea5 soon ont 9
sight. Again ne breathed freely, but al
) thought that one hour and half the longes
| Of ali their lives. When our time Tas up, Y
| passed Oh toward Ciarksyille, then thirty-h7
miles distnnt. Looking back after VIC startec
| saw several women, children and men At
proach the shore, and begin TO gnther up III
Spells. These were guerilla HrecRers.
The excitement having in a manner SUI
sided, the writer pissed down into the cabll
| to taEc view Of the losses and destructtol
l Going into his OVID room, le found 1t entire!
]. stripped Of everything to comb and o1ns'
seen. All had been robbed: Out upon u
o | guards lay poor wounded soldiers, stripped
a their blankets, great coats, Shoes and
q many instances Of their money. -,
IS Ato o'clock p. m. We landed at Clar1sra
= and Immediately reported to Col. Bruce. :!
y usual, the poor contrabands lad to sah'
e They took Six from the steamer Charter Il
e. two from us, led them out on the bank. a
:. shot them all; also one pcor fellow VINO =
Is found clipeing to the wafer wheel Of the +
to theria. Our trip up and down tue Cnmb
y, Land is NOW over, and VIC do not propose
- make another soon, prefcrring other routes
II I Dixie