The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-08-25
DoYALs PLANTATION, LA.
August Z, 1864.
The "Jefersoaidn'


anxious to hear how we are getting along
in this quarters, I will give you slight
sketch of our ''n,uss' on the morning Of
the 9Th Aug. Shortly after sunrise our
Pickets came into Camp and reported
Rebels on oil sides In about twent-
minutes we were in the saddle and ready
for action, but soon discovered that the
Rebs mad two field pieces and Regiment
of Cavalry stationed on our right cutting
US off from our re-inforcements at Batcn
Rough, and two more pieces and an e
pual number of Cavalry on our left cut
ting us off from Donalsonville, and how
many pieces in our rear cannot tell.
Our force at this point numbered about
three hundred, and to stand up and fight
against far superior force, with at least
six pieces of Artillery, would be folly
Our Com, Maj. Remington, gave orders
to get inside the stockade, which was
done in very good order, although the
Rebs were closing around US and were
only about two hundred yards from US
when we entered. About the time we
were well in they opened on our rear
with two pieces. They sent two shells
very close, when their fire ceased and one
of their officers came in with a flag of
truce, and presented the Maj with an
order which read thus
''To the Com of the Federal forces at
Doyals Plantation, THE Com of the
Con- forces. Col Scott orders an uncon-
dHionol surrender of your forces and
they shall be treated as prisoners of war.
As my force is far superior to yours and
you are completely surrounded, your COM
pliance will prevent the unnecessary ef-
fusion of blood. give you FIVE minutes
to consider" To which our Commander
replied that he would give him his reply
in less time than five minutes. He then
told his men their only chance was, to
cut their way through the Rebel lines
below, and reach our re-inforcements
which were nine miles distant. Placing
himself in front he gave the command to
form column on the road, which was done
in moment, then to draw Revolyers and
forwdrd march. The Major dashed off,
and his command did the same toward
their lines The Rebels stood until we
came within a short distance Of them
when Che head Of our column fired into
theirs. They returned fire and broke and
run in confusion, leaving the road clear
for us. They still kept up sharp fire
from their line formed toward our rear,
and threw several rounds Of grape and
canister at our rear, all of which were
aimed too high, and strange to say, only
one Captain and private wasswounded on
our side in making the charge. They
then closed in around our quarters tax
ing quite number of sick prisoners, and
number Of well ones who chose to re-
main, among which were two officers,
making in all about 90 men, with their
horses and equipments. They then be-
gan to pillage and destroy all within their
reach, loading all our wagons with their
spoils, and beat one of our teamsters Sc
yerely for refusing to drive away his own
team. They had about two hours to
complete their work of destruction when
our Gun Boats came to the scene. As
soon as they made their appearance the
Johnny's took to their scrapers, and the
negroes say they retired in great confu-
fusion with their booty. When we re-
turned, (Which we did under cover of
our Gun Boats, We found they had COM
pletely robbed us of every particle of
clothing, blankets, and everything that
could be of any possible use to them.
Lieut.. Burgess with small detach-
ment harrassed their rear, for some ten
miles, making several gallant charges on
their rear guard, but his force only num-
bering about 21 men, he had to return to
camp.
We are now occupying our old quar-
ters, and our duty is very hard owing to
our loosing SO many men in prisoners. /
hope my effort to give you something
like detail of our affairs, may prove in
terestiDg to your readers. If so so | will
be satisfied This is correct account of
the whole affair. Adieu for this time
Yours &C., Il. S. G. Horn,
"H" Com. SCOTS 900 Cavalry
THE CONDITION OF THE SOUTH.
The Rebel Cause Fui7in0 from Erbnus