New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-03-15

but which for three years they have been engaged in
attempting to destroy.
| Gen Sherman and staff started almost Immediately
for New Orleans and viii proceed without delay TO the
execution Of combinations calculated 10 keep the ball
moving in TIL, quartr with reasonable yeness but Of
The exact natare OF which II fully advised, the
General would no doubt thank NE TO exercise for the
present becoming reticence. EGRghoNr.
From Our Special Correspondent
| FICKsBURG. Misc, Feb. %, ls65.
| Considerable commotion exists in this Oh
noxious town to-day ocoasonod by the sudden and
expected appearance Of the veteran hero Ma W.
! T. Sherman The daring Yankee expedition into the
interior Of this Rebel domain Mississippi. has returned
in triumph, accomplishing s important objects with
but lt;le loss offe. The entree Of Gen Sherman at
I'm early hour this forenoon covered with dust. and
accompanied by three or four staff officers and two
mounted ordeTes. creatud great sensation among the
Soesk 18th whom il had been currently reported that
a Re 81 bullet had laid him low.
on the morning OF Feo. 3 Gen. sherman. with a
,o.ce Of 25C0o men, marched from Big Black River.
Gen sherman and Gen. IIurlbuis division crossed at
Messengers Ferry, lyo miles above the line Of tie
SoutheIn Railroad, and Gen. Mopherson's division at
tie railroad crossing. Aher tho entire army had
Bolton small station at tie Raymond Junction the
southern Railroad 10 miles from the Big Black
River At this point our advance had lively skirmish
with the enemy. resulting in the killing of ~ mon and
tie wounding Of 49, The Rebel los wac much larger
numbe. OF their dead being let the field. General
McPhcrsons infantry forces marched up rapidly, and
dispersed Lees cavalry, estimated at coo men without
any serious encounter. With bis usual energy Gen.
Mcpherson continued 10 press them closely. and 30
ho,y were tho re:roating Robes pur,ued that, four
miles east q Bolton. Acting BrgadcrGen. winston
formerly Colonel OF the 4lh Iowa Cavalry succeeded
in fanking them with furce u l. 400 cavalry. The
capture Of the whole force seemed inevitable at this
iuncture. bu, the main boy ..~-r.s ana e.iy s-
prisoners were taken
Without much opposition. the entire army marched
raydly toward Jsckscn. Lees kcbe! cavalry fcoing in
the greatest disorder 10 the direction OF Canton,
hourishing little town twenty miles north Of Jackson.
Here Acting Brig Gen. Wnsows Cavalry closed in
upor the Rebel column capturing large number -
prisoners aid one piece Of artillery alOpounder Par.
rot gun together with cq-son stocked with anmlni
ton which was subs queny used with good effect upon
tie enemy lncs. The prisoners taken belonged 10
Mis,.ssipp. and Georgia cavalry regiments with few
mounted infantrymen. Jackson was reached on 'Ic
evening Of r.b and Con Mcpherson at once ordered
the gallant nti. Missouri Cavalry Regiment to
the Rebel Iontoon bridge across Pearl River. Gen.
French the Rebel oiiicr had crossed this bridge b1t
lev moments in advance OF our cavalry. and II large
gang Of Rebels were busiy engaged in destroying it,
when the sudden appearance Of the bravo and deter
mined Missourians caused them TO beat precipitate
retreat s number OF their embraced this fiyora
Die opI tuntt 10 desert 10 lines telling " doicul
stories Of the decentralization Of the so-caled ConfCd
crates. The bridge saved. and the next day our
troops found this Rebel Pontcon bridge convenient FOR
crossing Pearl River. Gen. Sherman ordered the al
vance 10 proceed 10 Brandon some twelve miles distant
arriving there Sunday noon, meeting with but eight
resistance on their march.
At Jackson. some twenty buildings were destroyed
by the sayes in retaliation for the inhuman crucltes
perpetrated upon them by thor Rebel masters AT
Brandon, similar scenos were witnessed, and the
outraged bondmen and bondwomen rcvcnged the
brutality Of those they once were compelled 10 call
masters.
From Brandon the expedition moved on to Morton,
small village depot on tho Southern Railroad where
tie depot and oUtbuiidngs were speedily consumed by
fire. Only few buildings were burned at Brandon by
the troops the socolled Confederate Government not
occupying many. There was, however every evidence
that Brandon was shortly to be 4 supply depot Of
considerable importance, largo quantities Of stores
having been removed at the news Of our approach.
Gen. LOring, with his demoraized army, crossed
Pearl River on the 5h OF February. at Madison Cross
ing. and formed junction with Cen. French. tho two
forces amounting 10 1850 men. Gen. Sherman felt
quite confident tho enemy would make stand at this
strong position but our scouts brought tho anus
ing intelligence that the Rebels were In full retreat on
he Hllsbcro road The cause of this change OF base.
We learned from deserter who entered our lines. was
the suppositon that Gen. Sherman was endeayorng TO
flank them via the line of tho Southern Railroad. Col.
Winslow commanding brigade Of airy, consisting
If the 4th Iowa 9th Wisconsin 10Th Missouri and nth
illinois chased the enony Meridian, capturing and
killing quite number Our cavalry occupied the town
ON Feb H. and remained there seven days. destroying
tie state Arsenal which was flied with damaged fire.
arms and immense quantities OF ammunition oil oil
kinds together with large supply Of copper and lead
The Ragsdae and burton Hotels were destroyed alter
the furniture had been removed II being the intention
Of Gen Sherman 10 destroy nothing except that whch
might I've used By the Rebel Government. The State
Arsenal Was stocked with valuable machinery Tor the
manufacture and repair of snaIarms and al
sorts of ordnance stores the destruction oil
which viii prove n serious blow 10 tnc
enemy Twelve extensive Government sheds. aIargc
building called the Soldiers Home, and number Oh
bospitals and warehouses; filed with miscellaneous MI
itary stores, set FIRE and totally destroyed
Two large gristmills were likewise burned aiIcr our
army had ground "a sufficient supply oil corn meal
Twenty thousand bushels Of corn fell into our hands
and was speedily cOaysgted into e0rn'sakss i0E pe