American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-04-03
The TazOo Pass Expedition.
From the Chicago Times.l

TALLAHATcHIE RrvBR, March g.
Eapidity of loccn,otion is quality that
seems to be denied to this expedition. We
are now our fourteenth day from Helena
and have made in all about sixty miles.
There is this consolation left us however
in the contemplation of this progress. We
have overcome the difficult part of our route.
The Yazoo Pass and the Coldwater river de-
serves to be forever remembered Is the most
difficult water courses through which n
steamboat expedition ever attempted TO pass.
Stern-wheel steamboats-of which this ex-
petition is almost exclusively composed
have the advantage of being narrow, with
their wheels placed that trees and other
obstacles on the banks cannot injure them,
unless the vessel is backing but, in other
respects, they are the most complete nuisance
that were ever set afioat. The least puff of
wind throws them about if they were
strsws. They are very difficult to manage in
all respects, having notorious perversity
for going just where and how they please.
This has been the great drawback to our
progress. The streams have been so narrow
and so perplexingly crooked, with such
sharp bends and turns, that the vessels were
| constantly leaving the channel on short ex-
petitions inland. On every such occasion,
| some portions of the vessels would be left
hanging upon the timber mementoes of the
trip. When to these incidents is added the
trouble of towing three coal barges, the
cause of our slow advance will be at once
apprehended.
But, happily, we are past these troubles.
The Tailahatchie river, which we entered
/ last night, is a much broader stream than the
Coldwater or the Yazoo Pass, besides having
cleared banks, so that vessels can run along
mt a moderate rate of speed without the dan
ger of being torn to pieces should an I'M
lucky wind blow them on to lee shore.
| 1t has been navigated by steamers ever since
steamers have been known on the Western
rivers. 1t is formed by the confluence OF the
Coldwater and Little Tallahatchie rivers. and
runs southeasterly for distance of one hun
dred and sixty miles, where it joins the fal-
lobusha river, and forms the Iazoo. Its
course is rapid and crooked, like all the
Southern streams but its banks are gradual
and wide. and comparatively easy to be
turned by steamers under ordinary Roadway.
i 1t leads through the most fertile and produc-
/ tive region of the State of Mississippi. Its
banks are lined with well cultivated planta-
tons, on which cotton grows in abundance.
4 The average annual yield of this staple, on
the lands watered by the Tailahatchie, is not
less than seventy-fye thousand bales.
Our advent into these waters seem to have
/ been anticipated for some weeks; yet we
/ have met with no serious opposition from
+ the enemy as yet. We gather indications,
however, at nearly every step. that prepare
4 tions making to receive US lower down
the country. Previous TO our coming into
/ the river the rebels had sent boats up to the
head waters of this stream, leyying contri-
buttons of cotton TO build hreast-works with
I The location of the cotton forts thus built Is
not so readily ascertained. Accounts are
4 very conflicting. Some reports say that we
/ will find them at Greenwood, on YaZoo riv-
err four miles below its head while Others
/ persist in saying that we shall meet with nc
4 obstacles until we reach Yazoo City. AL
4 that we know definitely is, that we have met
with no enemy as yet. Not shot has been
fred at any boat of the feet. Not gaerril-
I la has shown himself at any point. Not even
a rebel scout or picket has been discovered
since the expedition left the Mississippi river
This may be all part Of very nicely con-
I ceived and arranged plan to lure US on as fal
i into the interior aad away from reinforce
ments ss possible, with the expectation o
then making mince meat of US all. or takfne
4 US, in one grand body, prisoners of war bu
the fact, nevertheless, exists, that we hav,
moved through region that seems to have
! known nothing Of war before, and TO hav'