The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1864-06-10
From Mississippi
OPPostrE JEFr. DAVIS PLANTATION
TENsAs PARIstI, MISS Nav 16, '64

TO. JBFF.:- Ehinking you NIGH
take an interest in the object to whicl
1--we are devoted, | will attempt to give
Iyou an idea OF the life L have been
leading since left your county eight
months ago.
Gen. Thomas wishing TO put stop
to the depredntions committed BY
Iguerrillas on the Mississippi, formed
several bands ipr that purpose, and !
ljoincd one of them, and was soon in
rensas Parish with seventy brave
boys. Making our Head quarters at
Jef plantation, we were soon look
ing around for something to eat and
ride. as Uncle Sam expected us to
supply ourselves Off the county
Two weeks sulliccd to mount us on
good stecds, and we found plenty of
corn aud beef.
We have had several skirmishes
with the gueirillas. One morning
about n month ago, our Captain call
ed us from our beds Of Spanish moss
20 saddle Tor scout, and although
we had, but the day before, n skirm-
ish with small band of rebs, and Il
long ride to camp, we cheerfully
made our preparations and were soon
making good time down road Lead
ling directly into the interior; and
among the hottest secessionsts in
.ouiSiana. Our horses travelled well
and before the sun was two hours
high we were swimming Mound
Bayou which is situated in the cen
ter of this parish; and is bordored
with the thickest cane brake ever
saw. The morning fog had disap-
Ipeared. Resting our horses upon the
opposite bank n few moments we
resumed a fast gallop past deserted
plantations and ruined houses. We
were nearing Silver Lake when the
crack OF a dozen rifles and the falling
of two of our comrades gave us warn
ing of the presence of our old ene-
mics. "DismOunt cried the Capt,
and we were soon screened behind
the tall cane on either side Of the road
The rebels were posted in n thicket
on our right and kept up steady fire
at our position which, however; did
no damage. But soon they gave us
positive evidence Of their whcrea-
bouts by boldly coming out and firing
their pieces at the shelter in our front
up and at them" was the order; and
we sprang into the road within TWEEN.
ty feet of them and poured such
.volley into their ranks that no band
OF men could withstand They fell
back, but coming on again we threw
down our guns and went Mt them with
revolver and knife. Hand to hand
we fought until the rebels hcsitatcd,
staggered and again fell back
o c. more they came on impctuous-
ly but were received rs before. 1t
was no 90. They saw that the de
Tenders OF human liberty were bonnd
TO win, and fled in every direction.
leaving thirteen Of their comrades in
our hands--nine dead and four
wounded Seven of our comrades
were wounded and two killed. We
buried our dead ut the foot of fig
tr,e, and after cutting their names
and place of residence in the bark
above their heads, We started with
our wounded for camp. The boys
were not severely wounded and are
nea"ly rs we'll rs ever. We arrived
at camp the next day, and after car
ing for the wounded we were again in
the saddle, for the Captain had re-
ceivcd information which caused him
to deny us days rest. In one week
from the day we started from camp,
we bagged all but three Of the same
band of rebels who fought us so un-
successfully at the Bayou, We sur
reNnded them while ENJOYING a sup
per on plantation near the scene OF
our fight, and as they saw no wav OF
escape, they graciously surrendered.
asking to be treated as prisoners of
war which was granted; and If YOU
should chance to call at the New Or
leans penitentiary You will find onr
"birds," fiftv-seven in number, look
ing through iron grating and cursing
the day they met the Guerrilla Pur.
gers"
We are enjoying a little rest pre-
paratory to resuming active opera
tions; for the defeat of Banks has let
loose great many Of Harrison dcs-
peradoes and we have just received
information from q negro boy who
came in this morning from the interi
or, that baud OF thirty arc at Silver
Lake, % miles from here, and who
say they are coming down to clean
us out. But we will not wait for
them, but will be before them and
pay our compliments first We ex-
pect warm times and some of MS may
fall, but it will he with the knowledge
that we have done our duty as sold
iers. More anon, A NJ KELLER.
From the v G.'s
We have received n letter from j.