Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-07-07

H The greatest raid of the war
has ended, and the survivors are now
resting from their terrible marches
through Che mountains of West Ffr-
gssis We.call it the greatest, be-
cause of the very large infantry force
esgaged in it. Heretofore raids of
any extent have been made by cav
Any.
Grfersoa, Sheridan, Kautz and 9th
er celebrated raiders, do not under
take to get through with iHfsHtry.--
Gen. Crook has achieved In chat line,
a remarkable notoriety We speak Of
him more particularly, because Gen.
| Aver ills forces were chiefly cavalry,
and also portion of Gen. Hunters
army.
Gen. Crook left Meadow Bluff with
100000 rations, less than half the
number he should have had. His
men marched on foot over 200 miles,
participated in several battles and
sklrmishes and finally when out
numbered at Lynchburg, started on
their return, without any supplies
whatever. Harrassed by an implaca-
bic foe, these brave and gallant men
marched steadily forward night and
day, without food or rest, under a
burning sun, parched with thirst,
half naked, many without tents or
blankets until they reached the point
whence they started a month previ-
Gus.
, No description can give an ade-
quate idea of the fatigue and suffer
ing, of these brave infantry regi-
ments. Many dropped by the way
) side from sheer exhaustion and star
vrtion. The account furnished us by
those who got safely through, justify
the belief. that for terrible suffering
: from hunger, thirst, and fatigue in
marching so far ON foot, the infantry
engaged in this raid have earned a
reputation for power of endurance
courage and heroism, unsurpassed in
the annals of this war.
The cavalry were better fitted to
protect themselves from such suffer.
ing. They could forage through the
country. and obtain supplies. This
the infantry could not do, for the ia.
tigue of marching, deprived them oil
the ability to go off the road, and the
cavalry being in advance stripped the
= country of every thing in the shape
! Of food. leaving the infantry to follow
as best they could. Gen. Crook
brought back all hrs guns, and to his
energy and foresight, all unite in as
cribing the ultimate safety of the ex.
pedition. His men speak of him in
= terms Of the highest praise, and those
under Gen. Hunter are equally loud
in their commentator of Gen. Crook
n as gentleman and soldier Both
t classes are equally positive in their
r censure of Gen. Hunter. We know
: nothing of the merits of either, but
n make up an opinion, from the testi,
a mony of men capable of jndging and
!. whose judgment was based upon &C.
e tuaf experience, under both comman-
G ders. That this raid was productive
y Of immense injury to the rebels, is
5 beyond question. The destruction
' of 20 miles of rail road-of several
: bridges, of the Lexington Institute
9 and above all, the fact that the army
e was able to penetrate into the heart
of the old Dominion, and return with
, so little loss in actual battle, are al
matters of no small moment.
>, The chief cause of the losses on
our side was the scarcity of supplies
, Could enough have been obtained to
: even sustain life, the loss would hsve
, been trifing. But it was impossible
TO obtain them in the country, and
: forces were obliged to retrace their
| steps as rapidly as possible toward
, the valley of the Kanawl-a.
!, The forces under Gen. Hunter, are
, now leaving for the east as rapidly
as transportation can be furnished
them. Their destination is rumored
as being Martinsburg, point which
lastnight, reports were in circulation,
had been captured by the rebels
We do not vouch for the truth of it,
: though it might readily be so, as we
had no force Of any consequence at
that point.
HThe whole number of patients