New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-09-17
TEE EXPEDITION TO WAsBITA
RIVER.
Description OF the Country-A Welcome
from the Inhabitanfs-Thc Object Of the
Expedition Accomplished.
Frori Our Special Conesponder


VIcKsBuRo Sept. 3. 1863.
The expedition which started from this place
under Brig Gen Stevenson has returned, as you were
duly informed by telegraph, having gone to point
nearly seventy miles out on tie yeksburg and Shreve
port Railroad.
The region traversed Is known as the Bsyou Bout
and wesle country is OF the most fertile parts Of
Louisiana ard had never before been visited by Union
soldiers u occupied by aregment Of Texas troops.
under command of a Col Chalmers Of that State. who
has Tor months past been leyvag contributions upon
the inhabitants. enforcing the Rebel conscriptlon and
In fact brir ynr to bear upon that devoted section az
the horrors OF Confederate tyranny. The purpose OF
the expedition TO relieve the inhabitants from Rebel
rue and reclaim the country.
The course taken by Gen. Stevenson was generally
parallel with he railroad, and sometimes touching ~.
while squadron cf the 9Th Illinois Cavalry. nnder CON.
mand oi Major Osborn Gen. Grants body guard werd
kept continually ahead, securing the country FOR nnes
around. Further than the occasional sNrmishlig DcI
tween this force and small bodies Of Chalmerss me1
that lowered watclflly along advance there was
10 fighting nor the enemy found In force at any
point
Ihc country from the Mississippi River az far as the
expedition vent although but thiny settled, one Of
f delightful regions il has ever been my fortune
~ see The recent change in the weather had inyigor
ated the all Of HON lseemed impressed with the
beauties Of the country. There H. however, noh1n8
picturesque about i, and the view II at no time cx
,ensve: Int the towering trees which in places grow
very dense and 10 great hight tire pendant ynes ths
huge of Spanish the inygortng freshness
Of the air and the evident richness of the soil al TAKEN
together make this in all respects pleasing country.
The inhabitants claim mat Il Is also very healthy D' ne
rank growth Of vegetation youla seem 10 indicate d1i
ferentiy.
TIE expedition was welcomed along the entire route
nv the inhabitants. WHO mostly women and chl.
dgen. ard point of the railroad there were many
manifestations Of delight shown The old story OF Rebel
tyranny. robbery sc. heard wherever inquiry
as made and until forces made their appearance
among hem. they lived IN moUen'ary fear OF visits from
gu.rgl whch were nearly always attended with rob
b'rr ana abuse. Ihe country mas Nen conlp4eteiy
cleared 81 al the prn pa means Of livelihood. Scarce
ly cow or horse Was TO be seen from VicAsburg TO
Monroe.
n. marked contr1s, between the discipline and GOOD
conduct OF and the rian manners Of the Con-
fcrafcs Afforded the people an agreeable surprise At
Monroe n par'cuisr was this apparent and although ,
We found them too poorly supplied 10 tender us their
hospitality yet many expressions OF friendship and good
feeling wen nHdc 20 men AMI officers. Ills town Is
situated on tire Wasiita River GJ miles from Ncksburg
by the railroad nnl one Of the leading business points
b. that part Of tie State. Many Of the larger residences
got up and furnished in style that would do honor
{" iir more prei ndns rlEe and buildings and situa-
v ill meet win In the South.
Having forced thc Rebels 10 the west side Of the Wa
sha and reached the point for which the expedition
originally started our front turned toward the east.
rsoTe leaving the citizens made proposition 70 thu
effect shat II the road we're again put III order they
would gate themselves protect IT, without calling
the military for assistance. There are at Monroe
locomotive aud number II ears. in running orders
hut The destruction ~ bridges and restle work between
that place ard Nckshurg, of renders them use
ess Ii snpp scd that The road viii at once be put i
condition Tor service, and military post established
~ Monroe
People this place say TINT west Of them the country
. swarming with dcserters from Pcmberton. Johnston
and klfky Smith They are banded together for mutual
protection and that they vii. never serve again
N the cdera,e army II is estimated that there are
five or six thousand within region extending tny
iles from here and the same distance along The
river and although lacking arrs. they are determneit
again called for by the Confederate authorities to make
the best show OF n, sIstaucc they en-