Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-03-04
FROM MEMPHIS.

MEMPHIS, Feb. 26.
Reports of stragglers that General Smiths ex-
pedition had been cut up prove false The Gen.
arrived here at ii o'clock last night.
From an officers diary, kept during the pro-
gress of the expedition, Icondense the following
particulars in addition to those already furnish
ed:
On the 18th the expedition reached OkOlona,
95 miles south of Corinth, and 100 miles south
east of Memphis. Here we heard that Sher-
man had captured Meridian, and was advancing
east On the 18th we marched to Egypt Sta
ton on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, where we
captured and destroyed a vast quantity of Con-
federate corn. One column went through Alb
erdeen, and the other on the west side of the
railroad concentrating at Prairie Station, Aber-
deem and Columa, under General Grierson. We
had considerable skirmishing near that place
We destroyed over 100000 bushels of Confeder-
ate corn at Prairie Station, also large lot OF
cotton.
2Oth-Broke camp at $50 A. NJ. Forrest re-
ported in force at West Point. III A. Nj. ad-
vanced, skirmished heavily with enemy; P. NJ.
halted within mile of West Point; lost one
Lieutenant killed and five men wounded in
skirmish; killed one rebel Captain, captured
and wounded one rebel Major, and one private.
2lst-Moved West; found Forrest, Lee, Chal-
mers and Roddy were combined against US;
they tried to cut our column in two but without
success; very heavy fighting occurred at both
rear and advance; the Second Iowa had a mum.
Der killed and wounded in gallant charge; two
to three thousand rebels were on each flank, and
we were constantly changing front; we here lost
three pieces of artillery, four pound steel guns
which were spiked before captured and all theil
ammunition saved; Smiths men fell back slow
ly, our troops ambushing the rebels as they ad.
vanced; rebel loss very heavy; Smith burned
every trestle on the Mobile and Ohio road, de-
stroyed miles of track and a very large amount
ofcorn as he fell back.
22d-Broke camp at l. A. NJ, after resting on.
ly two hours. There was severe fighting in the
rear all day. The rebels lost heavily as the
roads were ambushed at every available point
Volley after volley was poured into them al
short range as they advanced, but having 81
much the largest force they continued to presi
our rear heavily; the rebel column moving eacf
flank with the evident design of reaching Tai
lahatchie in advance of our force, and forming
junction, prevent our crossing, and capture the
whole command; but by forced marching Smitf
passed both fanking columns, and by marching
all night arrived safely at New Albany.
Noon, 23d and 24th.-Skirmishing continued
25th-Marched 50 miles, arriving at Memphi.
| at IL in the afternoon. Most of the expedition
however, stopped at Colliersville. The follow
| ing are the estimated results of the expedition
Destroyed over a million bushels of corn; tori
| up and destroyed miles of track ofthe Mobile d
Ohio Railroad. burned many bridges and trus
ties; captured and brought in over l,5OO mules
and horses, 1900 negroes, and over 300 rebe
prisoners who are now in Irving prison.
1t is impossible to give our loss, but it is much
less than the enemys. The expedition was sue
cessful at every point, and in every particular
except an important one-the making of a juno
| ton with Sherman-which is attributed mainly
toslow movements ofthe New Jersey and Penn
sylvsnia cavalry regiments, causing delay o
one week in starting the expedition. The re-
treat was not at any time rout, although there
was some struggling.
The Presidents Amnesty Proclamation Gen
Grant ordered extensively circulated Throughout
the country.