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

GEN. SIlERM.A'S ClEAT EXPEDITION
Important and Splendid Successes.
Why General Sherman Failed to
Reach Selma.
Immense Destruction of Rebel Property.
Seven Thousand Negroes Liberated.
The Seizure of Meridian Worth Fifty
Millions to the Government.
UTTER DEMOLITION OF ENTERPRISE
The Terrible Rebel CONSUMPTION.
The Mobile and Ohio Railroad Destroyed
for Ffty-Six Miles.
a March Of 400 EIiles in "a Days.
Full Accounts from Cur Special
Correspondents.
The Terrible Rebel CONSUMPTION.
The Mobile and Ohio Railroad Destroyed
for Ffty-six Miles,
A March Of 400 Niles in "a Days.
Full Accounts from Cur Special
Correspondents.
Yrom Our Special Correspondent.

PROM Our Special Correspondent.
VIcRsBURG, Miss. March 4. 1864
The late expedition of Gen. Sherman from
This point having largely filed the public mind North,
AMI far the Journals which have reached here ind
cate been utterly aud totally misconcoiyed, il may
Be- judicious perhaps state clearly what the Oh
icct Of the undertaking, and how large measure OF
ssocess attended it.
II appears 10 suit the purposes Of the military author
Mics here and the telegraph has doubtless advised yOn
there that the expedition has vita the most salts
factory and complete attainment OF is purposes has in
fhet accomplished all and more than al which it pro
posed to do upon setting ont
While granting the immense importance Of its re-
suits in some respects beyond what could have sea.
soRably been expected OF it, nevertheless, com
peed deny that il has achieved that complete
cess which Gen. Sherman and those associated With
him are disposed to claim for IT, certainly correct
in stating that the ultimate destination Selma.
Ala, where the Rebels have very important if not
their principal ordnance depot, mandatory of aamu.
nition and army clothing beside large accumulation
Of oomrnissary stores Sc They have also a. learn
from perfectly Trustworthy source four ironelad gun
bO1;s building at this point 1t expected that the
cavalry force under Smith. which left Memphis about
the same time that Shcrmans troops left vickfburg
they failed TO do and hence that part of the plan which
embraced the taking Of Selma was abandoned FoT
the correctness If ny statement in this matter ven
,nre 70 preGct that you will have corr0boratiye evil
deuee as as Smiths cavalry return 10 Memphis IN
iAeir aditted failure TO unto with sherman as they
expected.
While therefore denying to the General that com
pIe;sness In his late achievement which he claims,
not BY any disposed to dispute with him. nor be-
l,e tue magnificent results which he has actually ef
feeted These results moreover am inclined TO believe
viii become more appreciated when other movements
sLaD have rendered their value in military sense more
thoroughly understood. Presenting that your other
correspondents have given you already the details of
he advance Of the army 10 Meridian. and its return
,Aa undertake to narrate In consecutive form the
incidents Of the expedition but rather seek 10 supply
saeh as in ny opinion win more clearly picture 10 Jour
readers the results which have been attained.
Be: little fighting took place during The entire march
the most important being tOlerab'y heavy Skin.
n.sAng which occurred in the vicinity of Clinton this
sde Of Jackson the expedition was starting out the
snail squads OF the enemy, wherever seem pTudenty
Withdrawing upon artillery being brought into
position. Large quantities of cotton were found and
destroyed while on cur way ont some baled and some
not yet ginned. Both cotton and gins were placed
SPECTATORS OF questionable loyalty. On return
little however. was molested. As general thing, in
The region Of country passed the large planters
had abandoned the growth Of that former sovereign
staple under the prohibOry enactment OF the Rebel
Congress two years ago Corn, however in sbund.
ance and such corn as would make the heart Of
glad The cribs o. this entire section bursting
With fatness though army left those in lis imme
date wake about effeciuslly depleted Howell Cobb
did the national Treasury when he retired from its
agement at the close Of Mr. Buchanans administration.
At Decatur large lanyard and very considerable
i Of cotton were destroyed the town itself sharing
tie same fate Our boys were guided 10 quantity Of
cotton hidden in az obscure locality this place by
some negroes acquainted with the fact and indeed
verywhere the blacks testified unmXed dight at
approach frequently meeting US with their wives and
children "toing" their little all along with them and
apparently folly satisfied Of the advent Of the day Of
tpbilo" Repeatedly were our men advised Of she lid
ing places Of boards Of bacon. pork, hams, stock
riages. etc. the movements OF Rebel military and
The whereabouts of citizens fighting in the Rebel army
II in vain that the people have sought to inspire them
with aversion and terror Of Northern. especially
Yankee soldiers. They know better, and In spite o!
tie habit of years TO obey and believe their masters,
they will not credit what they say but preerng to cut
ose forever from the associations OF yonth and al oil
home they know throw themselves upon the uncertain
Issue Of their condition with faith that is sublime.
From 1000 TO 1000 of these people accompanied the
triumphal return Of Shermans expedition and defy
any human being with much feeling in his bosom
even Legree in Mrs. Slows immortal story to look on
such scene unmoved. Old with the frosts Of 90
years upon their heads in the prime Of manhood,
youth and children that could barelytrun. with
.lo,r rr1c vii fha in.n1 ~
proud Southern masters In their veins old women tot
terng fcebly along leading from land Of incest and
bondage possessing horrors than death children
and grandchildren. dear 10 them own sons and
daughters are 10 They came, many OF them 1t IS
true with shout and careless laughter but sont tears
coursed down many cheek-tears Of thankfnness for
their great deverance and there were faces in that
crowd which shone with Joy which caused them to
look almost inspired. Those may smile who viii, but
TIE story Of the coming up Of the children Of Israel out
1t TIE land Of Egypt can never call up TO my mind
profound emotion that the remembrance of that
scene. The carniyalIat Rome with the fantastic COS.
Fumes Of the populace presents nothing varied and
promiscnous than did the attire Of this interesting
semblage.
When looked upon the long lane fling in through
roads along which our slaughtered brothers Lie buried