New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-18
THE DEFEAT OF GEN. STURGIS.
Magnificent Fighting by the
Negro Troops.
CINCINNATI, Thursday. June IS. 1864.

The following information in regard 10 the
late expedition of Gen. sturis is gathered mostly from
officers accompanying the expedition, ana m NANNY
| correct.
Nothing OF interest occurred until the expedition
passed Salem, MISS on the 9Th inst, when SV n'ci
were sent in the advance and passing through Ripley
they captured several small parties of the enemy.
Onward they kept, moving directly upon Rienn and
Dauyille DESTROYING the railroad and burning the de
pot at tho former place. and constantly diminishing
with considerable body Of the enemy.
They reoined our main column on tho eth inst, hav
ing captured 25 prisoners
On the 9th, our main column passed through Ripley
moving southwest.
On the 10TH our cavalry moved in the direction OF
Guntown, leaving the infantry In camp.
After proceeding few miles, they encountered the
enemys pickets and soon came upon largo body Of
the enemy in position, and the battle became general
The cavalry dinnounted. and drove tho enemy some
distance when the latter were reinforced and our men
fought for four hours with the greatest desperation
and against greatly superior odds.
Our infantry soon came up when the cavalry, at
p. m, retired.
Another large body Of the Rebels arrived on the rail-
road Just at this time in sight II the battle which was
now raging fuTiousy. all our forces being engaged
1t soon became evident that could not Withstand
such attacks as were being made by vastly superior
numbers and our men began TO fall back, contesting
every inch of ground.
1t Is said that the oolored troops fought with the most
determined desperation, and were the last to give way
Our forces retreated toRpey distance OF % miles,
that night after burning large portion Of the supply
train and destroying ten pieces Of artillery which they
were unable to move forward through the Swamps.
On the 18th tho Rebels made desperate attack on our
infantry which was repued but the attack was shortly
afterward renewed. and considerable portions OF our
infantry were cut of and captured
Its stated that after the ammunition had become ex
hausted many Of the negro troops boarded the ammun-
ton train as II was being destroyed and fled their
bosoms and pockets with cartridges and that others OF
the negro troops gathered ammunition from the cast
away accou.erments Of the white troops and tins were
enabled to keep up the fight until they reached Mem
phis.
1t is also stated that one body of eoo infantry which
were cut of and supposed 10 have been captured were
defended by 90 negro troops from the repeated assaults
Of the Rebel cavalry, and arrived at Cocryile soon
AFTER the main column Of our forces arrived there.
Another body Of three hundred negro troops came In
this morning. having escaped by various roads All
brought their arms and accouterments with them.
Our loss 10 now estimated at lbs negro troops killed,
and IL pieces " artillery.
About go men, all Of the 18th United States col
ored troops have come in. There are 200 men and six
officers missing.
Three hundred Of the 18th United States colored
troops arc missing.
Among the casualties are the following:
SECOND NEw-JERsEr cAyALRY-Capt. REILLY. killed.
Lieut.. Rudolphi Lieut.. Brada, Lieut. Rainier Lieut..
A pplcgate and Assistant Surgeon Keauts missing
SEVENTH INDIANA CAyALRr-Lieut-Col Brown
and Capt. Elliott wounded.
SrETr-rnIgD ISpIAsA-Lieut. Col. Pool killed. Ad.
Iutant Woolsy. Killed. Capt. Conr,oiser. wounded,
Lieut. Rees wounded and missing.
ENErr-FTFn Omo-Capt. Allies. Killed. Lieut. Kei.
ton, killed; Capt. Hanson. wounded aud missing.