The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-25
GEN. SHERMAN'S EXPEDITION.
DETAILED NARRATIVE OF
EVENTS.
SUCCESS GREATER THAN EX-
PECTED.
The Enemy Disheartened and
Weak.
RESULTS OF THE MOVEMENT.
In THE FIELD NEAR CANTON, Miss, |
Eolri,n DC 1904

In THE FIELD NEAR CANTON, MISS,
February 26, 1864. {
Your readers have doubtless learned OF
the success of the expedition to Meridian,
Mississippi, and as the writer accompanied
the expedition, few details can be given
which may be found interesting. The ex-
petition proved successful beyond expecta-
ton, being favored with warm and dry
weather, making our march easy and
rapid.
On the Sd of February the first troops
left Black River, Mississippi, the cavalry
brigade, comprising the 10th Missouri cav
airy, the 18th and 9Th Illinois cavalry, and
the 4th Iowa cavalry, in the advance. The
first days march was to Champion Hills.
On the morning of the 4th of February
the enemy's pickets were met, after half
an hours march. Considerable skirmish-
ing between the cavalry of both armies en-
sued until - NJ, our cavalry driving the
enemy before them. A sharp engagement
took place near Bakers Greek in the after
noon, and resulted in the defeat Of the
rebels. Toward shutdown, the infantry
command in the meantime coming up, a
detour by the cavalry was made to Bakers
Greek. The enemy were found in consid-
cradle force. They were posting their
commands across Bakers Greek, and, in
order to check our advance, they charged
their rear column twice against us. They
met with repulse and considerable loss.
Twice they were driven back, and we &C.
cupied the field; but, night setting in,
the pursuit was abandoned. Here the
rebel papers speak of Lee making one of
the greatest cavalry fights of the war; I"
Our loss during the day was four killed,
five wounded, and five taken prisoners,
On the morning of the 9TH of February,
the cavalry brigade made detour on the
right flank to Clinton, the main column
skirmishing with the enemy. At p. NJ.
the cavalry brigade took the road by the
right flank to Jackson, and met the enemy
in the rear of Jackson, retreating in a dis
organized manner A charge was made
by the 10th Missouri cavalry into Jackson,
but the enemy succeeded in making their
escape-par. of their command across
Pearl river, and the main cavalry force by
the road to Canton 1t being dusk when
we entered jackson, no pursuit was made.
A portion of the 10th Missouri cavalry
were dismounted and skirmishing with the
enemy on the south side of Pearl river,
who partly succeeded in tearing away the
pOntoon bridges across the stream. One
piece of artillery and seventeen prisoners
were taken by the cavalry command that
evening, the flight of the rebels being so
rapid they were obliged to abandon it.
Our army remained at jackson the 9th,
preparations in the meantime being made
to cross Pearl river. A reconnaissance
during the day was made by the cavalry
brigade east of Jackson, and few scat
tering rebels were seen. The brigade
camped east of jackson, where we re-
manned until 8 A. NJ. the next day, at
which time our line of march was across
Pearl river to Brandon. Camped east of
Brandon on the night of the 7th. Con-
siderable skirIuishing with the enemy to.
wards evening.
At sunrise on the morning of the 9Th.
our command left camp and had several
severe skirlnishes with the enemy the
whole day, with few casualties A num-
Der of prisoners were taken The enemy
were reported in heavy force and in line
of battle at Morton, two miles distant.
At s O'Clock NJ, Tuesday, the 9th of
February, our command entered the town
Of Morton But few rebels were seen and
very little skirmishing occurred during the
day. Prisoners and deserters by squads
were taken and coming in the whole day.
Our cavalry were pursuing their rear very
close, and their worn out infantry were
obliged to give themselves up, though
many came from their hiding places in the
woods and gave themselves up, utterly
sick and tired of the war;" Prisoners
taken that day stated that one brigade
guarded the division of the rebel General
Loring, and that nearly every man in Lor.
ing's division would desert before it en-
tered Meridian, and. such must have been
the case, as several hundred gave them
selves up
On the morning of the 10th our forces
entered Hillsboro, with but little resist
ance, though rumOrs reached lis that the
rebels would make stand at that place
At this place the rebel command divided
into three parts to Meridian, the main pOr-
ton being moved by rail to that place.
Our march was uninterrupted and quiet
during the next day.
The command reached Decatur about
noon of the 18th, and had severe Skin
mish with the rebels at Chunky creek At
this point the enemy endeavored to check
our advance. The bridge at Chunky creek
was torn down by large tree being
thrown across it, 1t was but little work
tor the cavalry to cross the creek, and the
enemy was driven for three miles beyond.
General Ferguson (rebeD was wounded in
the arm slightly.
Our march during the next day was
SLOW and tedious, the enemy retardinq our
progress by cutting down trees across
Iougn and narrow ridges, and burning and
tearing up bridges. Towards evening we
succeeded In getting SO close that they
nao no opportunity of impairing our
march. They were followed Closely until
9p. M and during the whole evening
brisk skirmishlng occurred. Tive rebels
were killed, and number taken PRISON.
ers. Maskets were found in the woods
scattered in every direction A nr;so,.or