The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1864-03-11
FROM MISSISSIPPI.
Whole Company of Negro Troops
Butchered by Guerillas.

Carlo, March 3.-We are indebted to
Mr.. 0 T. Irons, Clerk of the steamer j.
S. Pringle, lately arrived from Vicksburg,
for very interesting account of a forag-
ing expedition sent out from Vicksburg
some days previous to the 14th ultimo.
The expedition was commanded by Lieu
tenant Col. Brauer, and consisted of Com
panies O, E, G, and X, of the 1st Missis-
sippi cOlOred regiment, numbering about
400 men. They embarked on the steam
er Pringle for Johnston's plantation, at
Tecumseh Landing, about five miles above
Grand Lake, Mississippi, one of the most,
if not the most extensive cotton planta-
ton in the south, having produced 10000
bales of cotton in 1861; but the following
year was planted with corn, large quanti-
ties of which were known to be cribbed
on the plantation for the purpose of secur-
ing portion of which the foraging party
were sent out.
On the 14th ult., while engaged in load
ing a barge with corn, which had been
hauled one and half miles, company G,
which was standing picket guard one and
a half miles from the main body of the
party, while sitting down to dinner, were
set upon by band of well guer-
illas, numbering about sixty, who dashed
suddenly upon them, so completely sur
prising them that they did not fire a gun
The entire company was captured and
their arms taken from them, when scene
of the most brutal butchery was inau-
gurated. The white officers, who were
Second Lieutenant Cox and Sergeant Spen-
Ger, were ordered to strip, when they were
shot aud brutally mutilated. Some of the
negro soldiers had their brains knocked
out with the butts of their guns, their
bodies were repeatedly bayoneted and
pinned to the ground, and bayonets thrust
through them, in which condition they
were found. Others were shot through
the head while Oh their knees begging for
mercy. Their cries were distinctly heard,
and the work of butchery seen from the
boat, but before assistance could reach
them, they were all killed or mortally
wounded except two, who, feigning death,
were uninjured. So quickly was the work
of murder completed that the guerillas all
escaped before our forces could reach them.
Seventeen of our troops were found dead,
and were buried on the spot. Five were
brought in mortally wounded and have
since died. One, who had a sabre cut on
the head, the brains running out, lived two
days. Another vas shot four times and
bayOneted three times It lis believed that
all the others were murdered, though no
more were found dead.
The Lieutenant-Colone was among the
wounded. He was shot in the mouth, the
ball coming out through the neck. He
has since died.
On landing the expedition, Lieut. Col
Brauer placed guard about the most mag
nifcent, princeV and comparatively new
mansion, built and recently occupied by
Ross, son-in-law to Johnston, owner of
the plantation, now fled to Texas. No
one was permitted to enter or injure the
building. After our murdered dead were
buried, the wagons and teams were got
aboard, having. secured about 1900 BUSH
els of corn, and the torch was applied to
the mansion, which, with its fine and costly
furnishing, was entirely consumed.
The guerillas were dressed in the Fed
eral uniform, and were part of band
said by citizens to number 400, who had a
camp some miles back from the river
Some said they were led by Quantrill !;
others said they were Texan Rangers.