New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-09-06
FROM FLORIDA.
A Successful Expedition - Gathering OF
Coutrabnuds - Relief Of Refugees In
the swamps-Maanoiin, Pi.nlko and
Gainesville Occupied.


the swnmps-Maanoiin, Pi.nlko and
gainesville Occupied.
From Our Special Correspondent.
JACKSONVILLE. FLORIDA. Aug. ~. 1854
Military affairs in this district have been quite
lively since your last dates from the Department.
Our forces have been hard at work for tho past
few weeks, and have succeeded in annoying and
harassing the enemy, as well as Gripping him in
his material resources to no triiiing extent. The
last expedition Of Gen. Birney succeeded In re-
capturing the Railroad town of Baldwin and driving
the enemy from his Notifications there and at Camp
Milton. Baldwin was at once occupied by or
forces rs q base for raiding operations.
1t was hcldlby US until Sunday night last, when
il was voluntarily evacuated for more advanced
position. The forces then under command of COL
Noble Of the 9TH Conn, took up their line of march
for Pilaka on tho river, distant four days march.
II is here understood thet the object of the exped-
ton was 20 emancipatc slaves enough TO recruit our
coorcd regiments, and clear the country OF
Dickinsons cavalry who infest oil this portion OF
the State, and have become terror TO all OF Its IN
habtants without distinction Of party; the secesh
among the population being quite as much IN fear Of
them as the Union people They have nov fairly sys-
tematzed tho business ofconscrpton, and are taking
every male inhabtaat between the ages Of fourteen
and sixty-thc halt the lame. and tho partially
blind in some instances, Lot excepted.
We have now a force at Magnolia, formerly
known rs The Springs, and once summer resort
of some note, about twenty-five miles up the river.
sort Of depot has been established there for con-
trabanas aud refugees coming into our lipesi from
thence they are brought 20 town By boats our camp
then has como TO be familiarity called among the
col-.rabands, " AJrahan's BOSOM"
We received from these on Saturday last small
instalment of oontrabands, poor white trash, and
Rebel prisoners, consisting of two scouts and q
seccsh doctor, and seven white refugees, with q
party Of eight colorcd people. The scouts and
doctor were captured by party Of the Massachu'
sets cavalry, aad were evidently not as well pleased
with the result Of heir trip the rest Of the party
The doctor nan Of some importanr" in bis way,
Which At The Time gf - capture was not efaeGy
within the line OF his professional calling. His &C.
cupation for the time being was none other
than tho collecting of slaves and running
them to the upper part of tho State, or over
into Gcorgia--out of reach of the Yankees He
had already secured several squads and deposited
them safely a, Madison. He was about 10 start
with morc--when CHANGING 10 come within range
Of Yankee rifle, and finding his heels Though a
good pair and well used incompetent 20 save him,
he sulkily acquiesced in an invitation 20 join the
party coming In. His appearance aud general bear
ing bcspeak him man admirably adapted to his
late calling. With tho scouts we captured one of
81 nv nur IN az Ia hat la NJ
Olustee last spring.
The white refugees report that they have aban-
donod their homes and lived concealed in the
swamps, to avoid CONSUMPTION, some Of them for
tho past three months They came in armed with
shot-guns determined, they say 10 be taken
alive. They say many others to their knowledge
are now living in the same way. They give as the
strength Of Dickinsons force three hundred men
other troops in the State between nine hundred and
a thousand. They confirm the reports that Dickin-
sons son. q non-commssioned officer in his fathers
company, was killed by our forces in little Skin
mish at Pilalka on the i.h inst. They seem unani-
nous in the opinion expressed by one Of their num-
Der who said: =" was mighty glad TO meet up with
your folks shoo-ar."
THE EXPEDITION TO GAINESVILLE.
Our forces under Col. Noble pursued their course
from Baldwin toward Pialks without interruption
adventure, for distance Of some fl
teen miles, when Col Harris OF the 18th Ohio Rcgi-
ment, with one company Of cavalry from tho first
battalion of tho 4th Massachusetts Regiment and
a detachment Of fifteen men from Capt. Hammers
Sd r. l. Artillery light battery, with one howitzer,
were sent upon reconnaissance in the direction of
Gainesville, aud the rest pursued their way " Pr
talka.
Col. Harris, with his command, succeeded In cap
turing and destroying some railroad cars and a
quantity Of provisions and other stores at the town
of Stark, AMI met no enemy until his arrival at a
point some two miles from Gainesville, where, upon
Tuesday night last 10th nst.), he encsmped. On
Wednesday morning some forty of the enemys pick.
cts we're discovered near the suburbs Of the town.
A charge wss made upon Thorn by our cavalry and
they fed. Col. ii. with his force pursued and had
approached the outskirts Of the town, when force.
varously estimated at from five Ito eight hundred
Of tho enemy, opened sharp fire from ambuseades
each side of the road which at this point Ia cut
through hammock and denscly wooded on either
side. The enemy had both infantry, cavalry ana
artillery, and having evidently chosen their ground
with great care, doubtless counted upon quito III
Initiating the little force o Col ii.
But they certainly reckoned without their hoS''
Our men werc, as may be supposed thrown into
great disorder ut finding themselves so suddenly IN
the midst ofa heavy and wcll-directed hre-for
moment they waycrcd, but rallying, returned tho