The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-30

sue the enemy, they having too good a start
About this time report had reached camp that
Lieutcnant-Colonel Blackburn, who had been
left behind in the raid, was dead and that Ser
geant Surby had been recognized as one of the
scouts and hung. So. about the last of June,
permission was granted to proceed with dag
of truce and investigate the truth OF the re-
port. the rebel General Gardiner furnishing the
party with the necessary papers of protection.
j. Is. Hartley, company A, and A. e. Leving,
veterinary surgeon of the Seventh Hi
nois, started on this mission. They pro-
eeeded TO Clinton, La. where they were
furnished with an escort of two Confederate
soldiers, who accompanied them through. On
the afternoon OF the second day they reached
Mr.. Newman's plantation and found Mr. New
man at home but were disappointed at not
finding any of the wounded. They were told
that the colonel had died, after suffering in
tense pain for seventeen days, and that a
member of company G had also died from his
wounds. The remaining two wounded men,
together with the nurses, had been sent TO
Oeyko Station. Mr. Newman stated that he
had been paid most literally by ali parties con-
cerned for his attention to the wounded and
stated that the dead had received decent
burial, which was gratifying news TO the friends
of the deceased. On the morning of the fourth
day the flag of truce returned, having made the
trip without meeting with any accident or
trouble On the road.
SURRENDER OF PORT HUDSON.
When the news of the surrender of Vicks-
burg reached the command at Port Hudson the
rejoicing was beyond describing and ON the
Sth day of July General Gardiner surren-
dered Port Hudson and its garrison to General
Banks. Then the cannon pealed forth in thun-
der tones yolley after vOiley from the gun
boats and land batteries in honor of the great
victory achieved. The last stronghold on the
Mississippi River had been wrested from the
traitors clutch, and the Father of Waters"
once more throughout its entire length carried,
proudly floating the banner of liberty. The
next day portion of our force marched into
the fort and there in the presence of cavalry,
infantry, artillery, and marines, the rebs
grounded arms. This was a proud moment
for the Illinois boys. General Gardiner re-
quested to see Colonel Grierson, who came for
ward and was introduced to him. He compli-
mented the colonel very highly, saying that
he was both glad and sorry to see him-glad
to see so brave and gallant an officer, but sorry
to see the one who caused the surrender Of
Port Hudson by cutting off his communiea-
tions and supplies and thus starving him into
submission.
few days after this the Sixth and Seventh
Illinois cavalry embarked for Memphis, Tenn,
amid the cheers of friendsand the deafening roar
OF artillery. Accompanying and under guard
were the Confederate officers of the garrison,
with Col. GTierson. On their arrival at FickS-
burg the boats we're detained several hours,
during which time Colonel GriersOn had an
interview with General Grant, who received
him with marked courtesy and kindness On
the arrival of the command at Memphis they
disembarked. happy to have returned III safety
to old Tennessee Shortly afterwards a reunion
took place between the raiders and those who
were so unfortunate as to be left behind. The
brigade was now-the Sixth and Seventh Illi-
nois and Second Iowa cavalry thrown to-
gether once more, and the meeting was of the
most friendly character. Only brave men and
| unpreiudiced minds capable of the respect
that these three regiments entertained toward
each other.
THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
The confidence which they reposed in each
| other had stood the test of the battlefield.
| think the Second Iowa cavalry was one of the
best drilled regiments in that branch OF the serv
ice in the Department of the Mississippi. Their
| fighting qualities were unqueStionably splen-
| did, and with such an intrepid commander as
| Colonel Hatch they were inyincible in an
| engagement. The part they performed on the
| raid was of the greatest Importance, and too
much praise cannot be awarded Colonel Hatch
| for the skillful manner in which he handled
| his men against far superior numbers His
/ fight at Palo Alto, Mississippi diverting the
/ enemy from Colonel GriersOn, undoubtedly
| gave the satter some thirty-six hours start,
clear Of all membranes.
On the Sd day of June, 1853 Colonel Grier-
| son, for gallant and distinguished service, was
| appointed by the President of the United
! States brigadier-g general of volunteers and was
| placed in command of the cavalry of the Six
| teenth Army Corps. In person he is tall, with
/ dark complexion, hazel eyes, black hair and
! beard, and prominent nose. Though not robust
| in appearance, he had an iron constitution, and
was capable of enduring great hardships and
| fatigue. Modest and unaSsuming in his man
ner, he was loved by his officers and men, and
had the confidence and respect of his command
| ing officers. A very remarkable coincidence
| occurred in the spring of 1880, when those two
! dashing cavalry commanders and
| GriersOn-seventeen years after this famous
raid, met in the mountains, whore, by q pre-
vious understanding, and By their united
action, the Indians were to be surrounded,
killed or captured, General GriersOn starting
from Texas and Major-General Hatch, by
brevet. from point our western frontier.
1t was just seventeen years to the month and
day.
And now must take the reader down to Wallis
Bridge, Amt county, Mississippi and tell what
disposition was made of those of US who were
left wounded at Mr.. Newman's plantation, and
thus bring the history of our adventures TO an
end
ITO Be continued