New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-09
The Advance Against Port 1sudson-The
Operations Of the Right Wing Of the


Army.
From Our Special Correspondent
HEADQUARTERS DETACByEsT on CLISTos ROAD.
CYPRESS BAYOU. La, March 10, 1863
The regular reporter being with the main army,
| deem IL proper TO communicate 10 You ana tue
friends of THE command the purpose Of this detach-
msut and brief sketch OF its progress and success
On the 18th inst, when the army Of Gen. Banks
left Baton Rouge for Port Hudson, separate force
composed OF the l59th Regiment n. Y. ). ", part
of the Goth Maine Volunteers, one section Of MIN
Massachusetts, Battery, under Lieut.. Snow, the LIST
Louisiana Cavalry, under Capt Tcaton. commanded
by Col 4. l.. Molineux, diverged from the main
body and constituted its right wing The object oil
this movement was to open aud Keep clear the Clin-
ton road, and prevent a flank movement by the
Rebels In order TO do this IL was necessary TO
push rapidly forward 10 prevent the destruction OF
bridges and rebuild such as had been destroyed until
Redwood Bridge should be reached. This BRIDGE
crossing deep bayou eHst OF Port Hudson, was
strategic point OF great importance. The order was
If possible to hold this BRIDGE aud II not, destroy
il and fall back TO secure position on line with
the main army.
The march Of the advance from Baton Rouge be-
gan at p. m. About 8 in tho evening Rebel was
seen waving TORCH signaling the approach OF this
detachment. His light, however, was hastily ex-
tinguished by few timely shots. After removing
trees which had been feed across the way, rebuild
ing two small bridges the column halted Tor the
light at late hour at Cypress Bayou Bridge which
had been burned. This blvouac afforded sweet re-
pose TO tie over-weary skirmishers who had been
toing through the tangled underground and thick
woods that filed the swsmpy region through which
the road passes. While the stars yet shining,
the order to fall In given aud the sound Of the
hurried march was heard the soldiers crossed the
bridge built during the night by the sturdy pioneers
of the 10Th Maine.
Aoout two miles beyond the bridge we came upon
the camp o. the Rebel outposts from this point We
drove them continually before a little further
on, the artillery opened on their principal cavalry
camp with SHELF which caused them 10 leave in hot
haste, to the great amusement OF the boys, who
kat hered up their forgotten weapons and the frag-
ments OF their still smoking breakfast. Our pursuit
go RAPID that the flying Rebels bad not time 10
complete their hasty arrangement 90 fire the large
bridge crossing Whites BAYOU. After passing this,
our troops were fatgued that whole companies
fell out If the ranks, and 1t was found impossible TO
advance without some rest aud refreshment during
aich tbs Rebels gaiied couple Of hours time, and
sncceeGed in reaching and destroying Redwood
Bridge, beyond whicn they made their frst decided
stand. On approach. they were in line OF battle
aud opened upon our forces. Although their cavalry
alone was greater than entire force, yet after
short but sharp contest they were forced TO retire
in disorder. Their Loss in this action was eleven
I killed and wounded
The bridge having been destroyed, we fell back
acreeably TO orders 10 Cypress Bayou Bridge, the
p1rpo,e of the command having been perfectly exc
euted with the loss Of but wounded and one
prisoner. Our scouts succeeded in capturing SEVEN
Col. Molineux is new soldier in service bat brings
with him the results of a military culture which
have not escaped the observation Of his superior
officers who delegated TO him this important COM
mand. lie was aided by the experience OF Lieut.
Col Draper, and his activity is measurable COM
pensaton for the absence OF the genial spirit an In
| teligent mind Of Maj. e. A. Bort, who has been
detached from the 159h to serve in distinguished
position on the staff OF Gen. Grover, aud was with
| him at the front of the main army.
! Notwith standing the forced marches, rain, and
swamp encampmeDts endured by the men, through
The efficiency VI lhe medical department, which is
directed in person by the Jealous and untirioB Dr.
c. A. Robertson, Chief Surgeon OF the command, not
a man has been sent 10 the rear, and the one sho,
will not, through his skill and care be kept long
from tho effective list. Nothing could be better
comment upon this most important department. We
bope that his care OF tue sick Will be less called on
now Than heretofore FOR the boys have lived like
princes as the emptied barn-yards and store-houses
/ of several plantations can testify.
The Quartermaster, Lieut.. NJ. ID. WILDER, deserves
heaps OF compliments for his alacrity in providing
forage for the teams-and teams too for tie forage.
| or cOurse, he does not conclligte Secesh much by
confscaling horses and mules, but lie mas helped
along the expedition amazingly by his facility Tor
proyidiug ranspor,aliOn. ADVANCE GUARD.