The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-06-18
Sturgis' Defeat.
Details of the Movements.
NEGRO SOLDIERS.
REPORT OF LOSSES.

MEMPHIS, June l6.-The following infor.
nation in regard to the late expedition Of
General Sturgis, is gathered mostly from
officers accompanying the expedition, and
is mainly correct.
Nothing of interest occurred until the
expedition passed Salem, Miss, on the 5th,
when 300 men were sent in advance pass
ing through Ripley, and capturing several
small parties Of the enemy aHd moving di'
rectly upon Reinsei and Danville, destroy
ing the railroad and burning the depot at
the former place, constantly skirmishing
with considerable body of the enemy
They rejoined the main column on the sth'
with twenty five prisoners.
On the 9th the main column passed
through Ripley, moving South west.
On the morning of the 10th, the cavalry
moved in the direction Of Guntown, leaV-
ing the infantry in camp. After proceed
ing few miles they encountered the ene'
my's pickets and soon came upon large
body of the enemy in position. The caVal-
~ dismounted and drove the enemy some
distance, when the latter were reinforced
and our men fought hours against great
odds. When the infantry came up the cav
airy retired.
At3PM, another large body Of the
enemy arrived on the railroad in sight OF
the battle, which was raging furiously. All
our forces were engaged.
It was soon evident that we could not
withstand such attacks as were made by
such superior numbers, and our men began
to fall back contestlng every inch OF the
ground.
The colored troops fought with despera-
ton. and were the last to give way. The
column retreated to Ripley,a distance OF 70
miles that night, after burning large por-
ton of the supply train and destroying ten
pieces of artillery which they were unable
to move through the swamp.
On the 1lth the enemy made desperate
attack on our infantry, which was repulsed;
but the attack was renewed and consider
able portion of the infantry cut off and cap
tured after their ammunition had become
exhausted.
1t is stated that many negro troops board
ed the ammunition train as it was being
DESTROYED, filling their pockets and bosoms
with cartridges. Others gathered ammu.
nition from the cast off accoutrements OF
white troops, and thus were enabled to
keep up the fight until they reached
Memphis.
1t is stated that the body of 1000 infant
ry which were cut of, and supposed to have
been captured, were defended by 200 ne
proes from the repeated assaults OF the reb'
ell cavalry, and arrived at Oollurville, soon
after the main column
Another body of 300 negroes arrived this
morning, having escaped upon by'roads, all
bringing other arms.
The loss is now estimated at l25 wagons,
IA pieces of artillery. about $500 men. All
of the 59th U s, colored, have come in ex-
cept 200 men and officers. Three hum
dred of the 55th U s, are missing.
Among IKE casualties are: Second New
Orleans cavalry, Capt Rulley, killed; Lieut.
Rudolph, Lieut. Broda, Lieut. Smith, Lieut.
Ramsey, Lieut. Applegate and AsstSurgeon
X rautz, missing. Seventh Indiana cavalry,
Lieut. Col Brown, Capt Elliot, wounded.
Ninety third Indiana Lieut. Col Root, Kill.
ed; Adjt Moody, killed; Capt Convalsseer,
wounded; Lieut. Rees, wounded and miss
ing. Ninety-ffth Ohio, Capt Allis, Lieut.
Keton, killed; Capt Hanson, wounded and
missing.