Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-03-14
sHERMAN,s RxPKpITION.
Hhnt Il tAccompIfshed--Aecou of the Chi
engo Tribune's CorrespOndent--The Ene-
my's Country Penetrated $50 Miles.

We publish below the Chicago Tribune's
correspondents account, the only def
mite and authentic narrative that has been
given to the public:
CANTON, Mississippi, February 26,
Vis CAIRO, March 10.
The grand expedition into Mississippi
hiss returned thus far, and once more we
have communication with the outer world.
The expeditionIhss been successful in the
objects for which il was sent, viz: TO de-
stroy rebel communications, by cutting
their railroads in ell directions, and draw
of some Of the rebel force from Mobile
and Chattanooga.
Tho expedition penetrated one hundred
and ffty miles into the heart Of the rebel
country, with no communications kept
open in its rear, and without meeting any
opposition except skirmishing with the
enemy's cavalry. 1t is confidently reported
that General Polk had Il, 900 men st Me-
ridisn, but with this force he dare not
make stand.
More than 5000 contrsbsnds followed
our army back, Hundreds Of mules and
horses have been driven off, and property
captured and destroyed, to the amount Of
many millions Of dollars value to the
rebels.
Terror and CONSERVATION has been car
ried to the hearts of the Confederstes, and
all has been done in an incredibly short
space of time, and with but triAing loss
OF life,
1t has had tendency to convince the
common people Of the bopelessness Of their
cause. The State is virtually abandoned
by the rebels, and the people can think OF
coming back into the Union.
This army has been on the march con-
stantly, and has lived on half rstions and
what they could get from the country, but
they have invariable stood it remarkably
well, and only wished that they could have
had brush with the rebels.
Though no great battle has been fought
and victory won, yet the expedition may
be accounted quite Successful.
We killed rebel Msjor and captured
one, besides sther off ,ers. The country
is thinly peopled, and most Of the resi-
dents are poor. They were not originally
secesh, but most Of them became 3d.
Many would be glsd to return to the
Union.
Some cotton was seen, most Of which
was burnt.
On the 14th, General Hurlburts corps
entered Meridian, the remainder Of the
expedition following the ensuing day,
having destroyed the town Of Hillsboro'
in Scott county on the way. In Meridian
we encountered some rebel cavalry, and
drove them out, after some skirmishingi
and then took possession Of the town, and
held it for four days: At that time expe-
ditions we're sent out, which destroyed
fully 100 miles Of road on the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad, and on the road to Selma.
This includes over 5000 feet Of bridg-
ing, and large amount Of rolling stock
was also destroyed. We found that the
rebels themselves had destroyed much
rolling stock to preserve it from falling
into our hands. While this was done the
town of Enterprise and village and rail
road Station of Chankey were destroyed,
together with a large amount Of rebel
stores which were burned up at Chsnkey.
There had been no intention Of going to
Selma, and the main body Of the army
never went beyond Meridisn.
The expedition took with them only 70
days rstions, and all was accomplished
that had been intended.
Our entire loss in killed, wounded and
missing, is put down by correspondents
who accompanied the expedition at only
about 100.
Only two regular correspondents were
on the expedition, Mr.. Kern, Of the New
York Herald, and Mr.. Simonds, of the
Chicago Tribune. Our forces captured
and brought away 124 prisoners, received
200 deserters, and killed and wounded
about 200 Of the enemy.