Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-03-18
FROM SHERMANs EXPEDITION

gives the following account by telegraph Of
the progress Of the expedition and summary
/ Of its results:
"The expedition left Vicksburg on the 30lh
Of February. The next day il crossed the
/ Big Black river, as before stated, with Writ
Adams cavalry drawn up in line Of battle
Col. Potts brigade advanced and we're strong
ly resisted by the enemy, who began to re-
treat after fight Of an hour and half Our
troops pushed on in line Of battle, follow
ing them FIVE miles, and by night had driven
them beyond JacGson. They drove squad |
Of rebel cavalry out Of Jackson and occupied |
it. The State House is in good condition |
and not burned has been reported. In the |
night some soldiers burned down a number |
of houses. The next morning the pontoon
bridge was thrown across Pearl River and
the army marched to Brandon, where they
skirmished with rebel cavslry and them out.
On reaching Morton they encountered a dvi-
sion OF Lorings snd Frenchs. They had
been throwing up defenses and evidently in
tended to fight but as our forces came up
slowly. they retreated without firing gun.
On the l4th Gen. Hurlbut's corps entered
Meridian, the remainder Of the expedition fol-
lowing the ensuing day, having destroyed the
town of Hillsboro in Scott county, on the
way. IT, Meridian we encountered some rebel
d, cavlary and drove them out, after some skirm-
ishine, and then took possession Of the town
and held it four days. At that time expedi
tons were sent out which destroyed fully one
hundred miles Of read on the Mobile & Ohio
railroad and on the railroad leading to Selma,
This includes over 80 900 feet Of bridging,
and large amount OF rolling stock was also
destroyed. We found that the rebels them
selves had destroyed much rolling stock to
preserve it from falling into our bands
. While this was being done the town Of Enter
prise and Village and railroad station Of
Chankey were destroyed, together with large
. amount Of rebel stores which were burned at
Chankey. There had been no intention of
going to Selma, and the main body Of the ar
, my never went beyond Meridian. The expe-
: dition took with them only twenty days ra-
tions, and all WAS accomplished that had been
intended Our entire loss in killed, wounded
and missing is put down by correspondents
who accompanied the expedition only about
one hundred. Our forces captured and
: brought away ia prisoners, received 200 de-
serters and killed and wounded about 200 Of
, the enemy.
u Noarly 5000 negroes of all ages and sexes
followed the army on its return TO Vicksburg,
: escorted by Col. Potts brigade. Smiths
cavalry was to have Joined them at Meridian
e II it had done so it would have been used to
: do important service on the Tombigbee River,
in addition to the serious damages inflicted
. by other troops.
~ The expedition was at no time in danger
from the enemy's resistance, and so foTmida-
BILE that the utmost terror was caused by
their advance, and the country was generally
helpless before them. Confidence was felt
- that with necessary provisions the expedition
could have marched successfully to Mobile.
I nd a,d
6ity miles into the heart Of the rebel country,
=, with no communications kept open in it's rear,
= and without meeting any opposition except
diminishing with the enemy's cavalry. IL is
confidently reported that Gen. Polk had Ia,
600 men at Meridian, but with this force be
= dare not make a stand.
We have destroyed over seventy miles
railroad, so that there is not tie nor rail left
y All the road extending from Merdar,
which there are four are destroyed for a Ion
>" distance.
=, We killed rebel Major and captured one
y. besides other officers. The country is thinl
, peopled, and most of the residents poor
" They were not originally secesh, but most
y them became so. Many Of them would
/ glad to return to the Union.
- Some cotton was seen, most of which wa
y burned.
Ouf army huusloitu hlluohb cutTtlO ull u
enemy's country, and at no time was it sho
:, of provisions. 1t lefl Canton on the 4tt, az
:. returned to Vicksburg on the 9th and Il
" inst
10 Adjutant A. G. Phillips ofthe SD Obi
u who was with the Sherman expedition, h
10 arrived in Cincinnati, and states that the cN
u petition comprised 81 600 infantry, 1900 ca,
VI airy, and about 10 pieces OF artillery, with
train of 500 wagons.
"On the march from Jackson to Merida
Gu the railroad was destroyed to such an extei
as as that months will be required 10 rebuild it,
IN Ties and rails we're piled up together, aud
IL the ties burned, the rails bong heated, won
u bend so as TO be rendered worthless. Tn
entire country through which the expedite
~ passed was desolated, scarcely vestige
~ a house, barn or fence being left behind.
" Brigade commanders we're instructed to bur
" all unoccupied houses, but the soldiers we
sc not very particular whether the houses we
occupied or not
ge Gen Sherman remained at Meridian Fl,
al days All the supplies necessary for the a
my were obtained except bread. Mills we,
'n put in running order and corn ground for III
"a troops. In this manner three days meal r.
ay tions were obtained. -Four days the trooI
lived on parehed corn, as bread ration
The best kind of ham and shoulder was OF
us tanned there in large quantities. At Mer
dian the 9th Army Corps was ordered
ne destroy the railroad north and east, and tb
ut 18th Army Corps awest and south, which the
W did most efIectually.
en- Gen. Sherman issued congratulatory OF
s der to the troops before leaving Meriday,
nd which he said the object of the expedite
'r- (the destruction of the railroads) was mo
on effectually accomplished.
ed The expedition reached Vicksburgh on il
ly return on the 4th of March, without the lo
JIM Of a wagon or other government propert!
'es except twenty,six mules shot by the rebels
re- They brought in 400 prisoners, 250 Of who
&C. will take the oath and come North; GOO
Die blacks, of whom 300 will be added to II
, force at Yicksburg 500 captured horses an
, ne mules two pieces Of artillery and 500 viii
,'n refugees.
ne The people whom the troops saw on Il
'as route all expressed themselves tired of Il
war, and expressed wish that it was owe
h They made no expression Of preference f.
H. the Union or the ConfedeTacy"
,ro NEW YORK March Is.