Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-03-25

The FIaur At YAzoo.-The following in
teresting account of the late fight at Yazoe
City, Mss, we extract from private lette,
written by Captain Lyman Banks, of thi.
city, commander of company X, 9Th Louisi
ana regiment: 1863 .''
| arrived with the regiment near Green.
wood, about two hundred and sixty miles
from Vicksburg, on the 2lst of February
Soon after the feet started down the River
Yazoo, running short distance and then
stopping to take on cattle, corn and cotton,
so that we did not arrive at Yazoo until Sun
day evening, the 28th. We commenced
landing quietly but soon heard firing from
our cavalry thrown out in front, and by the
time the we'll men were ashore we were or.
dered out to meet an attack. There proved
to be only small force, which was driven
away without much loss. That night we
stood to arms, and kept sharp look out all
the next day. Towards evening eight COM
panies were called into town, companies B
and G remaining on picket We went into
camp on the LIST Of March on the line we were
to defend, which looked like tempting an en-
gagement, for two regiments to pretend to
hold four miles of country. That night and
the next day We were called into line and
double quicked to our forts, by firing on the
picket line
The morning of the Sd inst, after being up
good part of the night, companies F and K,
under my command, started about 4 o'clock
to form IN ambuscade, the plan being for our
cavalry to attack the enemy at dawn, and if
pressed, fall back on the road near which we
were lying concealed. Our plan was carried
out, but the rebels did not seem inclined to
fall into the trap, as, after laying there till
nearly noon, we went home to breakfast with
out firing shot. p avs
The 4th Of March was spent quietly, as
the rebels were making preparations for an
attack. With our small force holding so
long line, and the rebels with two brigades
in front, we could scarcely hope for success
in the battle We knew to be near, but oil de-
termined to do their best.
The next morning-the 6th-we were at
it; that is, part of our forces. The main At
tack was on the fort occupied by the 18th H.
linois infantry. Quite . number came over
and ran our pickets in, but did not come near
enough to engage US. At the same time they
sent three regiments around so as to come in
the upper part of the town. Seven compa-
mes OF our regiment and one OF the 18th LII.
nois were sent to meet them, and fought
them foot by foot through the place, being
driven back almost the length of the town,
when about o'clock the tide turned, and
step by step they were driven from the place.
The other three companies, @, G and K,
were in the forts, with orders to hold them,
which was easily done, as there was no attack
made upon them. Had there been we would
surely have been taken, as there was but one
company in each fort, and the most that could
have reinforced them for half an hour was
the companies from the other two forts near
by. Thankful are we that we escaped, and
to the valor of the troops is it due.
OF eighteen officers and orderlies engaged
eleven were wounded. One has since died,
and another is not expected to live. The
expedition had to march across from Liver
pool Heights, forty miles. We arrived and
went into our old camp Wednesday.