Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-04-09
TERMS OF ADvERTIsING.



Tenn, gives an interesting account of narrow
made by Yan-Do from the capture of himself and
whole command 1t appears that on the IIth ult he
had taken an advantageous position to make short op-
position to the advance of superior force of the enemy
and then retire across Duck river over which pom
toon bridge wus supposed to have been completed Up
on attempting to launch it, it discovered to be in
possible the river had overHoWed its banks and was
sweeping with the greatest rapidity, bearing its
bosom huge logs and drift wood, hurled down with such
velocity as to render the laying down of the pontoon
utter impossibilty To render matters still worse, the
rope by means Of which the ferry boat vas cross be-
came submerged, and another one was with difficulty
stretched across, by meas Of wh ch hey enabled
to cross boat capable of carrying each trip occu-
pying forty minutes, wagan eight or ten horses
The letter says:
Placed In this unfortunate position we were compee
y covered by the Federas in heavy force in the front
and on both tanks, without having any means OF re-
treat II case OF superior force which certain and
OF which 1t only intention to engage and retire.
Several plans OF escape suggested, among which
the most plausible was TO swim the horses the
stream and across the troops by the ferry but it was
found that even this impracticabe Our position
at the head OF the peninsula formed by the iunc-
ton OF Carriers creek and Duck river while the euemys
position was upon another peninsula directly opposite,
formed by the junction Of Rutherfcri aod Uarters
creeks, all OF which streams unusually high and
well nigh impassibe. Our forces was disposed on the
south side Of Rutherford creek centre restiog upon
the Nashville pike left extending to Carriers creek,
and right under Forrest extending mile or two
to the right OF the pike and upon the border OF Ruth
er!ords creek The position a very strobg and
commanding one, and Kings battery was put upon the
highest hsCOmnandiDg the approaches from tie pike.
In front Of position, upon the certre, oprn fields
stretched from RuthCrcrd's creek back thousand
yards to wooded hill upon the ief of the turupl, up
on which the enemy mounted their artillery but which
was commanded b. Kings excellent position.
From the top of this hill the movements of the enc
my might plainly be described. On the lob, three
brigades plaioly visible, and large wagon trains
moving all directions 1t was feared, from
what could be seen OF the euemys movements upon cur
right that he was about driving wagons in Ru herords
creek upon which to place plank and cross his infantry
the creek was toodet and rapid to be a. eli Orda-
bic. Il became known to our :roops that te pOn
tofn had proved provoking failure, and b-pg aware
of tire enemy 3 large force aud bis perfectly covering
our ropt and fink, and dccning escape improbGble
their lack Of confidence plainly exhibited, and hun
drtdS Of s.rGgglers attempted by OF Che
ferry boats but prevented by the guard, who
ordered to permit but couricrs and ordnance
g0ns to The night OF the 10Th Was indeed gloomy
ore and the myfied camp fires OF the enemy seen through
tie rein ana mist in the Voc ds in front Of Gus
POSITION by no reasSuTcd dshearteLe forces
at 10 O'Clock al night Il c0uDCil of war was .;lt OF
which Forrest, Jacks d, Crosby and Van Dom were
members, and the plan OF escape tloped 10 morn
Ing our troops were Orderad make an uuusua noise
and keep up Cheering, while bugers ordered to
sound Tevei!e > and forward tlOm many more poats
than where we had troops.
At O'clock, A. Ii the euemys battery upon tie
left OF the turnpike orencd fire upon Kings battery
and gave that ofcer the much desired opportunity 20
return fire and Convince them OF his Whereabouts just
before his battery was Withdrawn. Sever4 sGes
which he had taken from TIE battle field Of Spring
Hill were returned rapidly the eIeGy to whom they
originally belonged, and ooI battery then taken to
the ferry and crossed b. the Iudeatgaoe exertious Of
the Captain, end the noTsss swan across U Jol the
previous evening t,c ilxas brigade sent word
that trey upon he came eide Of RuherfUrd's
Greek as the enemy, ind unable to cross. The
next th'lg heard Of them, the enemy commenced az
Vancing, and it IS said with SMILE that 10 see the Tex
as Rangers crossing ire creek would have bught
that they were crossing turnpike irste4d OF rapid
Sir cam, hastily dd tbey effect It, At 10 o'clock & Nj
this brigade and Crosbys which haa bsen upon our eft
were Withdrawn through the woods, go as avoid be-
ing by the Yankee lookols 49, leaving their usual
outposts behind. end started upon byroad ruuring
along the Duck river In northeastery direction. For
rests command upon another road running Paral-
lei with it, and Armstrong brought up the rear with
Van Dorm aud staff and escort immediately in the rear
OF CROSBY, so as to be n position to direct movemns
either IN front or rear IN the enemy attempted
intercept us. Everything was under way, the
tillery and wagon trains having been crossed upon
the ferry, and the animals swan, the position COM
pletey evacuated, save by the outposts aud pckets
who were directed to withdraw ,on as we got fairly
under way, or the enemy should advance.