The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-29
Return of the Cavalry Exps-
dition to Memphis.
Severe Fighting with an 0vsrwheim-
Ing Force Of Rebels.
Bridges Destroyed and a Million
Bushels Of Germ Burned.
5000 Negroes. 800 Rebel Prisoners and
1000 Horses and Mules Destroyed,
~ &s~ h.

Msxrms Fob. %, 1854
Tho reports Of straggers that General Smiths expedi
ton up proves false That General arrived
here at eleven O'Clock last night
From officers diary kept during the progress Of tho
expedition condense the following particulars In add
ton to those already furnished
On the 18th the expedition reached Okolona, The
Mobile and Ohio Railroad seventy.nve miles south a
Corinth and hundred thirty mies southeast Of
Memphis Here they heard that Sherman had captured
Meridian and advancing east.
On the 10th the expedition marched to Egypt, station
on the Mobile aud Ohio Railroad where was captured and
destroyed a vas, quantity Of rebel corn.
Ono column went through Aberdeen the other went -
the tho railroad concentrating Prairie Station
The Aberdeen column under General Grierson, had
siderable skrmishng that place. and destroyed
100 900 bushels OF rebel Prairie Station also
largo lot of rebel cotton
On tho goth the expedition broke up camp. At half
past Eve O'Clock Forrest reported In force at West
Point At eleven O'Clock A. N. advance skirmshed
heavily with the enemy At three o'clock p. N. 10
halted within Q mile Of West Point We lost
lieutenant killed and Ave wounded 10 the skin
mish and killed rebel captain, capturing q rebsI
major and one private.
On the 2lst we moved on West Point and found Fur
rest, Lee Chalmers and Roddy combined against =.
They tried to cut column 10 two but Without sue
cess.
Very heavy fighting occurred both in tho rear and q
the advance The Second Iowa had number killed and
wounded in gallant charge. From two 70 three hun
dred rebels lowered each flank, while ell the heavy
force In was constantly charging.
We here lost three heldpsces (four.po stea
guns), which spiked before captured. All an
munton was saved.
General Smith now fell back slowly. our troops an.
bushng the rebels they advanced The rebel loss
quite heavy
General Smith burnt every trests the Memphis anA
Ohio Railroad and destroyed miles o the track and large
quantities of corn we fell back.
On the 22d broke camp one A. NJ, after resting
only two hours.
There has been lighting in tho all day. ~
the roads ambushed at every available point voey ass
voley poured into them at short range they 81
vanced but, having much the largest FORCE hsy co.
tnued to press heavily the rebel column moving
each flank with the evident design Of reaching the Tala.
hatchis In advance Of force and forming junction
prevent crossing aud capture the whole command;
bus by forced marching General Smith passed both flank
ing columns, and marching oil night, crossed safely
New Albany.
FEB. %, Noon-The rear guard has been skrmshine
all day.
TEB. 2l.-Skirmishlng h continued.
FEE. 2s.-we marched nfty.two miles. arriving -
Memphis ct eleven r. N. The most Of the expediHa
however stopped 81 Collersvlle
The following 10 an estimate OF the results
The expedition destroyed over . million bushels q
corn tore up and destroyed miles Of the Memphis OAAe
Railroad track burned many bridges and trestIss. oaD
tured and brought over fifteen hundred mules ana
horses, about two thousand negroes and three
hundred rebel prisoners.
1t Is impossible give loss but 1t 10 much les
than the enemys
Tho expedition was successful at every point anA n
every particular except the important Of makngs
junction with Sherman which Is attributed mainly 70 ~
slow movements Of the New Jersey and Psunsylvants
cavalry regiments, which caused weeks delay N the
starting OF the expedition.
The retreat was not at any time rout although there
some struggling.
The Presidents amnesty proclamation and General
Grants orders extensively circulated throughout
the country.