Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-03-11

Inc ureat M1ssisslppl hald.
Consternniion of the Rebels.
Victorious Sklrmlshlng and
WI Fighting.
Interesting Particulars.
! II MEMPHIS, Tenn, Feb. 20.
FRIEND MAulN:-Thinking full aud inter-
esting account Of the recent raid made by
Cen Smiths cavalry forces into Mississippi
would not come amiss to your numerous
readers, l have at some little expense been
able to gather up full account, copy of
which herein enclose. A careful perusal
will satisfy the reader that, although our loss
was great, it is--trivial compared with that Of
the enemy.
On the 18th inst. the cavalry force under
command of Gen. W. Sooy Smith, chief of
cavalry division Of the Mississippi, moved in
three parallel columns, from Germantown
and Colliersville, in southwark direction -
The 1st brigade being commanded by Dol.
George E. Waring, the I'd by Lieut.. Col.
Hepburn, and the Sd by Col. McCrillis.-
General Smith. accompanied by the Fourth
U. s. Cavalry, being present, Brig General
Grierson accompanied the % brigade, and
could not therefore control the general move.
ments Of the command of which fact he
informed Gen. Smith.
In tho mean time brigade of infantry
moved from Memphis under command Of Col.
McMillen, threatening Pamela aud Wyatt
After crossing Coldwater. under cover Of the
heavy demonstration on Wyatt by the infant
~, crossed the Tallahatchie ut New Albany
Here the 2d and Sd brigades were detained
two days by the non-arrval of Col. Warnings
brigade. The two brigades cd and 3d) ling
cred between New Albany and Pontotoc until
the morning Of the 18th, when Col. Warnings
marched through Pontotoc, thence toward
Houston. When about thirteen miles from
the latter point, it was ascertained that the
enemy had taken strong position behind the
Houlka Swamp. The 4th Tennessee cavalry
was sent towards Houston, to engage and di.
vert the attention of the enemy, when the
command moved rapidly on toward, Okalona,
from which place the command moved in two
coumns-the second brigade moving toward
Aberdeen, and the first and third brigades on
the line of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. =
The 9th Illinois, under the immediate COM
mahd Of Lieut.. Col. Burgh, had preceded the
command and captured at Okalona an impor-
tant mail, as well as distinguished male, the
latter being Lieutenant Barber-an accom-
plished young rebel officer, quondam mer-
chant in this city, but at the time of his
misfortune depot quartermaster at Okalona
and moved rapidly on to Aberdeen to hold
the bridge over Tubby creek, and to investi-
gate the means of crossing the Bigbee, if il,
was desirable to do so on the arrival of the
command. So suddenly did Lieutenant Col
onel Burgh present his respects to the deni-
zens of Aberdeen that several rebs. were
captured, among them major and captain,
and the stars and bars that had SO lately
"hoated in proud triumph" over the city,
after the manner of bats and owls, sought the
most dismal recesses. From Aberdeen the
command started directly for West Point, but
by orders received from Gen. Smith the route
was changed for Prairie Station, on the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad, at which point the brig
AIDES encamped in supporting distance
Before leaving Aberdeen demonstration for
crossing the Bgbee was made, which caused
great CONSERVATION on the eastern side of the
river, and hasty evacuation Of Columbus
Having learned definitely that the enemy had
concentrated his forces at West Point, the
command moved at daylight, the ID brig
| ade in advance,-O regiment, (the 10th
Illinois, under command of Lieut. Col. Starr,
moving down the railroad to Loohaton, des-
| troying the culverts and bridges and immense
quantities of government CO.. n and cotton
After having marched some three or four
miles the advance encountered the enemy's
pickets, when heavy skirmishing Immediately
began, and continued to increase IN 'front.'
the enemy being steadily driven from every
position. In the immediate vicinity of West
Point the enemy made last determined
| stand, offering stubborn resistance, but af-
ter a temporary check requisite to the proper
disposition of the brigade, the enemy was
driven precipitately from the field, through
West Point, and out on the Houston road to
Sooka.aunchie river, the whole command
camping on the battle ground.
Information having been received Of the
position of Gen. Sherman's command, the
forces of the rebel commander being driven
through Meridian and across the Bigbee river
at Demopolis, and Gen. Sherman occupying
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, both north and
south of Meridian, it was deemed inexpedient
by Gen. Smith to move the command further
south, it being incumbered by an immense
train of contrabands horses and mules that
hal Accumulated on the march from Okalona
to West Point. In accordance with which
conclusion, orders were given for the com.
mand to return to Okaona the 4th regu'a rs
and Sd brigade taking the advance, under the
direction of Gen Smith, the LIST following in
charge of the trains-the 81 brigade, under
the immediate direction Of Gen. Grierson,
being left behind to cover the retrograie
movement, moved out, and with the I'd Iowa
under command of Major Coon, and b,ttal
ion of the 9Th Illinois, under command of
Major Whist, attacked the enemy, who,
though in force and stubbornly resisting, was
driven across the Sookataunche in most
gallant manner-the balance of the brigade,
IN the mean time, holding West Point, and
the S arl1ville and Columbus roads, after
which the brigade took up the line of march,
the 81 Iowa being in the rear.
The enemy followed closely, and engaged
the rear at every opportunity, but were most
CALAMITY repulsed by the I'd Iowa cavalry,
with the ASST lance Of detachments of the
Sixth, Seventh and Ninth Illinois. The ene-
my were persistent in their pursuit until ten
o'clock at night, and did not desst until
they had been ambushed and severely pun
ished by the 9th. Illinois cavalry, under Lieut..
Col. Burgh.
The next morning, (Feb. 22d,) as soon as
the command had resumed the march. the
attack was renewed by the enemy They
charged into the town of Okalona while the
command was passing through, but were as
quickly driven out by the 4th regular cavalry,
under Capt. Bowman, the 7th Indiana and
5th Kentucky under the immediate supervi
sion of Gen. Grierson.