, 1863-01-30
FROM GRANTS ARMY,

der command Of Colonel Augustus Mercy Of
the 9th Illinois infantry, commanding I'd Bri-
gade, Dodgc's Division, was started from this
place with orders to go south to Tupelo, Or
as far as practicable, on the Mobile and Ohio
Roilroad, and destroy tho bridges and public
property and play the mischief generally.
The command consisted of the 9th Illinois
under Lieut.. Col. Phillips, the 6lst Ohio infan-
try under Major Frank Evans, one section Of
1st Missouri light artillery under Capt. Tan
nrath, one company Of cavalry under Captain
Ford, and small detachment Of Tennessee
scouts, in all, less than 1,200 men. We started
with five days rations in light marching order
without tents, and With only sufficient trans
portation to carry ammunition and proyi-
sIons.
With this smaIl force VIC went sixty miles
into tho very bowels Of rebcldom, and after
the first ten miles VIC were entirely isolated
from our forces at Corinth, for we had parti-
sun rangers and guerillas on our rear, on each
flank, and NC knew nothing Of the force in
front. This extreme uncertainty Of what WAS
bcfosc us, with the precaution in our march
ing orders to be very careful and not be cut
off in the rear, gave lively interest to the ey-
pedition.
COLONEL MEnsT.
But VIC were very fortunate in being under
q commander who did not belong to either Of
| the two classes so common among our officers
now in the field The tirsi class arc like the
bull that attempted to butt the locomotive off
the track; we "admirc their pluck, but d-n
thvir discretion" Tie other class arc those
who think discretion the better part Of yalor,
| and like Huhihras
| "uc that fights aud runs away
Shall live to fight another day.
But Colonel Mercy las added to his personal
courage and fighting qualities, a large military
experience, both i'll this country and IN Europe,
combined with strict military discipline, snffi-
! cient caution, With q dashing go-ahcaditiyc-
ness in execution.
He received two wounds in Europe in 134S
and 1949. He received a wound in the neck at
Fort Donclson, where his regiment lost hear-
j1y in officers and men. At Shiloh he received
| bullet in his thigh on the first day, but he
still kept his horse and WAS shot in 11e foot
on the second day. III this fight lie lost over
half OF his men i'll killed and wounded, fncln-
ding twenty line officers, -Adjutant and Lieu
tenant Colonel
At the battle of Corinth he commanded his
own regiment until Col. Oglcsby was wound
cd, when he took command Of the 2nd brig
ade, End division, which command he still
holds. In this fight his regiment lost large
number in killed and wounded, and among
them twelve line officers, MINOR and Adiutant.
With this bloody record Of fighting quail
tics in his iAyor, some officers higher in rank
but without half his military knowledge,
thought him too cautions in his effort to save
the public property at Corinth and put the
| T1f1nn in fo0H rcr6i9ffan far Aafttr,sn VIII
threatened with attack, aud but one brigade
| Of troops here, while Gen. Dodge was absent
with the main force, endcavoring to check
Forests raid on the railroad between here
and Columbus, ky.
Our cause has suffered very much, both III
men and property, hy inexperienced officers
| in command, who loUk npou it US IN int1ica-
tion Of weakness and fcur to take proper pre-
caution against surprises from the enemy.
THE MARCH.
The first day nc took up our line of march
on the west side Of the Mobile and Ohio r:il-
twenty-threc miles We calnped on the p1anta-
tion Of the notorious rebel, Dick Smith At
this place our soldiers were shocked By the
audacity OF the pigs and chickens. This Is
ont Of the range Of our loraging trains, and
the pigs walked through the camp with a con-
tented grunt which ast touished our men, and
the chickens would look up and crow right IN
their faces. But they paid dear for their indis-
erection, for after the dark shadows Of evening
had snshroudcd the camp, the stiffness Of
night was frequently broken by the fe1nt, c1~
piring squeak Of I'LL unsuspccting shanghai,
or tho distant squt:l Of II dying p0rkcr. And
the next morning it was very evident that the
F few remaining had learned wisdom by expert.
scamFering to the highest hill or lowest val
lry, and one or two bercaycd chickens might
be seen looking down with suspicion from
the highest limb Of the tallest tree.
, Tie second day We passed through Black
land and Carrollyillc towards Guntown,
, ! who had been sent around by why Of Boon
vile, we're driven in By Harris rebel cavalry,
, bat when We Advanced on them they - skc-
daad1ed,,'' showing. great proficiency in the
skill With which they performed that ma-
| ncuyre.
. VT marched abont twenty miles and Gu
canpcd between carrollyille and Gnntown,
, about three miles to the right Of Baldwin.
: VIC had taken seventeen prisoners. It was
reported here that large rebel force had been
: posed to be reinforrclncnts for rcmberton
from Briggs army. One Of the officers came
to Col. Merry and inquired what VIC should
DO, for we had to pass through Guutow1l.
rhS EeR Tle oe1 asvi ieos,se ooy to
s how difficult ii was to convince tho Colonel
) on the point Of getting whipped, replied,
!, "Wcll, if that's the case we all prefer to
+ | WHIP 10 t1ls the Colonel SAID, with con-
siderable satisfaction In tho officers conclu.
sion, aud with his peculiar German accent,
"Dat is DE- ting, dat is de ting.''
But Wcfound no rebclsat Gmntown, forthose
!, who had been there were very suddenly con
! vinced that aying trip South would be good
! tor their health, and they also had fino op
: rortunity Of pEacticing their faroritc uintaI,
I movement, called "sEedaddlc." The post
master Ind not got out Of town get with thu
mail, 50 we took them both into custody, anf
= compelled the postmaster to act as guide ts
G Saltillo, where VIC arrived during O very hear;
rain. Blit here the news got ahead Of ns, aud VI
l learned that they had called in their pickets
1. ard LIFT, about daylight, under tho command
: Of General Panic, Still going through will
c their tayoritc evolution, skedadd1c, toward
G Tnpclo.
: We pushed forward as fast as possible, bu
s finding that the artillery and transportation
!. would be detained by bad roads md broke,
= bridges, We sent The cavalry ahead to Tnpelo
6 where they found but small garrison, 81 0
= whom were taken prisoners, the main bod
q hsyinE joined General Panlc's forces us the:
!. went through, and had gone South. The:
|. also got large mail here, and the Proves