, 1864-12-16
FE0fK 11E1uP11ES.
Arrival or Col. Ned Osbnudsa Cavalry
aaat:s,Sa1s Of

The gallant Colonel Ned osband, and his
equally gallant colored cavalry, have arrived
at Memphis, for what purpose it would be
-contraband at present to statc. Suffice it
that they will be heard from in due time. In
| tLis connection wc print the following inte-
| resting details of Col. Osbaud's Late and im-
| rortant caya1ry raid from Memphis, which
t we find in the Yicksbu'g Herald Of the 7th
| inst:
The expedition left here On the 18th Of No.
| ytmber, and returned on the 4tl inst, having
| executed one Of the most daring and success
ful raids Of the war. 1t has long b:e., known
! that the enemy were drawing supplies over.
| the Mississippi Central Railroad from the ri*:a
| districts Of the Yazoo and Big Black Rivers,
and one Or two attempts had been made IT,
destroy the road beyond Canton, but failed.
On the morning Of the 18th November, Col.
Osband crossed the Big Black on pontoons,
/ making o fefnt on Jackson. Scouts wcnt as
| far as Bakers Greek and found no enemy.
| he thea moycG< toward Berlin, and on the
nth reached Vaughn station. 4 detachment.
under Major ]. .. Cook, Sd U:s colored cav
railrond below Dcasonyille, aud the
,ailroad bridge across the Big Black,
the main objects Of the expedition.
About four miles below Vaughn station,
s which tu1 could not % be approached by the rail
swamp which surrounds it, the artillery could
not be brought to bear upon 1t. Since tho
attempt Of Gen. Macarthur last May TO burn
1t, It had been strengthened by blockade
works on this side of the river, the only mp
least twenty five feet high. Major Cook Ind
orders to burn this bridge, and when he Is
told to do anything he docs not know how 10
keep from doing it. He advanced his men
down the track, throwing q company on
either flank In the swamps below, at some
gagged the enemy on the banks Of the river,
and the first stockade was gained only by
sharp fighting. Repeated yollcys failing to
dislodge the enemy Ion his stockade on the
opposite bank, Major Cook formed three COM
panies on the ttestle-work, with railroad ties
Tor path, and charged and carried the stock
adc under heavy fire. the enemy only retir-
ing when Major Cooks advance WAS almost
within the works.
Being heavily reinforced from Drury's Bluff
to recover the lost ground, but despite these
efforts they were beaten bacK. Brush and dry
wood were then collected on the bridge and
trest1e-work, and fired. The wind being ia
yorable, the whole trestlc-work and greater
portion Of the bridge was destroyed, repeated
hay. The rebels left three dead npon the
field. Our loss was three wounded.
Meantime the balance Of the command had
not been idle. The 5th Illinois cavalry, Colo
mel John Mcconnell commanding, tore mp
nois, Major Burbridge commanding, burnt
Vaughn station, warehouse, steam water
tank, and mile and half Of the track.
Among articles burned were about so 900
worth Of railroad supplies, 100 bales Of cot
ton, twenty barrels of sail, and considerable
amount of COIN and wheat.
On the 10Th, Major Burbridge went to Pick
cts station, and burned all the trestle-work,
railroad buildings, !, 200 balesC. s. A. cotton,
and la1ge amount Of wheat and corn.
The command then moved toward Good
mans Station, burning large number Of
long trestle works. When within two miles
Of Goodman's. the 5th and 1lth Illinois Cav
airy. under Col. Mcdonnell, were sent for
'wurd to destroy the railroad track at that
station. One battalion Of the 9Th illinois
cayal1y pfoseedsd BY the m1on a,aaa1 r1ad bridge
fully their number of Confederates, drove
them from the bridge and burned it. Col.
Mcconnell burned the railroad buildings at
Gcodman's Station. !, 800 bales of G. 8. A.
cotton, . large amount Of corn and supplies,
two engines, four cars and three TRIMS The
rebel infantry had been sent to Jackson for
its defense against supposed attack the night
before the bridge burning
The Mississippi Central Railroad for thirty
mies is ruined, and cannot be repaired tor
sixty days With any force the rebels can COM
mind. The command returned to Yazoo
City on the o9th, just in time to battle the
foe in making forced march to occupy the
city before our troops could reach 1t, attack
ing cur pickets few hours after the troops
entered the town. The 30th was devoted to
rct ting the men and horses Of the command.
1:umo.s reaching Colonel Osband TINT the |
enemy we're advancing, the lines were
strengthened, and scouting parties sent ont |
on all the roads at daylight for Information. |
The enemy were found on each road in more |