New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-03

by the moving Of the entire ermy down the south bank
of the Red River. accompanied by the large feet OF
and gunhoas the river hearing TIE extra
baggage the sick and wounded the contrabands, wo-
men and children and such Of the loyal citizens as
wished Ia leave
Much cotton was also brought away but large
amount Of was removed from the boats after 1t ~as
laden to make room for the army stores and material
On Friday the 18th inst, at about 10 o'clock in the
forenoon the guard Of the army was leaving the
place, q terrible confagration broke out, which
destroyed the entire business portion Of the city ana
more thnn half Of the inhabablc houses in the place
The FIRE commenced the upper end Of the lo'ee just
below the brick hotel known as the lce'housc ana
DESTROYED everything for three four streets back nom
the river and down as far as the raTold depot ABOUT
three-fourtls OF a mile
The buildings were mostly Of brick and two OF three
stories in hight handsomely constructed Jhe court
house two chufchcs--the Methodist and the Epscopn!
hundreds Of st0rchouses aud some OF the finest resi-
dences among the ruins Everything was a or! as
down the river, which made all attempts 20 stop the
progress If the flames unavailable Within q few hours
the WORK Of destruction was complete ah3ugn Inc nfo
J kept raging all Of the day and part o! the night
Gen. Banks OF tie ground IN person immediately
after the alarm and did everything possible 10 stay the
progress Of the terrible clccut but with te success
as the troops nearly all away, and the citizens
were without organization OF tIcmen or IRE machinery
Of any kind. everything Of the kid having been apal
doned and given up after the occupation OF our army
The origin Of the fire IS involved IN Myster! but u
doubtless the work Of some lncendIlry Who perhaps
had some private grudge 20 Crafty against te heOr
Gen Banks Lad given the strictest orders pre-
Nious 10 the evacuation. which lad been read nt The
head Of every regiment 10 avoid even the sgcst de
structon Of property and particularly TO guard against
fire.
lie had also increased tie provost guard TO FIVE hnnd
red men three days before the evacuation with the
especial view Of preventing accidents BY ire
Xounteerz Nyns Marrlal q ulare
Major Smart Of the Goth Regiment New-York Volun-
teers commanded the provost guard
These officers state that tLoir men were posted on
every square and with the strctest orders Ia
prevent fire. and to allow no struggling soldiers around
the streets any soldier TO enter any building for
any purpose whatever.
About 10 O'Clock on Friday this guard relieved
By cavalry patrol consisting OF brigade under Good
~ and while this relief being posted the FIRE broke
out No soldier is known 10 be responsible for the IN
happy affair did the citizens generally believe 10
There is story that soldiers broke into store
house for tobacco and went up stairs TO smoke 1t
in secret thus causing the FIRE accidentally but can
trace IL 20 Trustworthy source.
There Is also a rum0r that some negroes OF Tie town
had threatened 10 burn tie place IN revenge for some
former injuries but this is also only the gossip Of The
street and none such have been arrested or found.
The jayhawkeIs also composed of the poor white
Union men who had been formerly driven away from
their homes by the Rebel gentry IRE sad 70 be very
bitter against the place and 10 have threatened 1t with
all sorts OF vengeance.
There also not wanting those who claim that
some Rebel emissary applied the torch 20 IRE the
Southern heart which was becoming quite lukewarm
in this vicinity md intensity the hatred and terror
which is felt FOR the accused Yankee.
The discipline Of the cavalry patrol Is represented 10
have been somewhat loose and the responsibility OF the
negligence II any appears 10 rest with them though no
definite facts have been ascertaincd.
There il universal regret IN the at the unhappy
affair aud coming IL did after the bnrngs up the
river, II IL regarded a shameful and hum iang dir
grace TO our arms.
Gen Banks and his staff did everything possible 10
prevent IT, and 10 protect the citizens most Of whom
had taken the oath Of glance IN all their rights but
there has doubt been for time In this Depart
ment IN unfortunate want OF corporation between the
General Commanding and some Of his subOrdinates.
and lamentable lack OF discipline in some portions Of
his command.
opposition until 1t reached the vicinity 81 Markyille.
tie county Of Ayoyeles Parish and five miles back
from Fort De Russy on the afternoon Of Sunday. the
18th inst.
Here strong force OF the enemy was met, number.
ing according 10 their own statements from sOO0 10 h
10000 large portion Of which was cavalry and mount
About 5000 Of the flower Of our cavalry were formed
in line two miles outside Of the town. masked by slight
shrubbery and made most gallant charge upon the
place sweeping drought II like whrwind. and driy.
ing the Rebel pickets before them 10 their camps be-
yond.
Brigade Of Growers Division OF the 18th Army Corps
commanded by Col T. L. Molineux of the l5gth Regi.
ment " Y. Vols, which went In with chcers on tie
double QuiCE and occupied 'nc pHce Tor the HE
81 Brigade under Col. Smith Of the l2eth YORK
supported Moincux and darkness here put an end to
the affairs for the night The Rebels were evidently
expecting us and kept wei out OF reach though an
moving our cavalry with constant diminishing.
The country around Marksile for five miles in every
direction is rolling prairie, almost entirely cleared
and cultivated though at tins TINE almost devoid Of
fences and left 10 barren common .
Its surface is smooth and lightly coded and on ac
count Of it's rolling nature 1t is devoid Of those large
dohes which are most Of the plantations
Which nuInandgtaDlc IN all successful
Ilaneuyers of artillery or cavalry III
The history Of the war Ss not shown more beauti s
fu or farer field for open fight than that in the vi
cinity Of Marksvile found by our troops the 18th
instant 4
This first charge Of our cavalry The green
sod, smooth and level carpet, Tor space Of two
miles wide and three miles long, and a. our gallant fe
lows swept over 1t at full gaop with ringing cheers
buges sounding and banners flying, the sight most
inspiring, and suggestive Of the grand Old historic v
charges we read Of 1t was most CALAMITY done and v
long viii the Rebel horse remember the wild charge q
which struck them suddenly and liriy rode them
down that fair Sunday evening. The enemy were II
evidently surprised at our sudden possession Of the
town, the affair not occupying fifteen minutes after the
charge was sounded, and retired their camp toward II
Fort De Russy miles beyond the town and hold p
ng the roads TO the east and southeast OF me place
Our army, with all It's trains. As concentrated di1ng a
The night the fed which the charge was made
he wagons being parked IN solid columns Of ten q
abreast and sleep arms just outside OF the @
town. All Is confidence and bopej We near that tie Il
enemy is surrounded; that our gunboats hod Fort DE
Russy and the ycr that Grant has defeated Lee In a
Virginia, and believe that successful battle awaits us
on the morrow aud that shall yet retrieve this MI
fortunate campaign by large capture OF Rebel prison
ers and material q
Before daylight the morning Of Monday. the 10th
INST by 3. o'clock, in line Of battle and ready b
10 advance against the enemy. The lst Brigade OF I,
irovcrs division OF the 10Th Army Corps, under Gen.
Nicherson who were held In leash last evening on q
account Of their reduced numbers and who protested
against H. now are awarded the advance and gallanty o
iey hOd II Tor TIE entire day II Las only tie 5d and r.
Tie l76ih Regiments Of New York Volunteers. "
lie 18Th CorIs Gu tie left and Gen. A. j. Smiths I,