The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-23
THE GRIERS0N RAID.
Left Behind IA Rebel Camp Cap
tured---ArriEal at Baton Rouge.
[By r. ". issr5y, Batle Cfesk, Mich.1
VII.

.
The column wasclose aft hand, and our prison
ers were turned over to it. Just at that mo-
ment Lieut. Colonel Blackburn came galioping
up alone, and said to me, Sergeant, bring
along your scouts and follow me, and I'll see
where those rebels are"
Istarted, followed by Kelly, Wilson and Wood,
the remainder of the scouts being absent on
duty. / thought this rash movement on the
part of Colonel Blackburn, but he had ordered
ME to follow him, aud it was my duty to obey.
We soon reached the edge of the timber and
discovered q considerable stream of water wend-
ing its way through the marshy and heavy
timbered bottom. A little to the left, about
seyenty-five yards distant, was the crossing
a narrow plank bridge some fifty feet in length
known as Wallis Bridge over the Trickataw
River, and within one mile of Wallis Post
office, Amite county, Miss. Just before reach
ing the bridge we were saluted by q few shots,
and we now increased our speed. Closely tol-
lowing the colonel we dashed upon the bridge,
but ere the last of us had reached the opposite
side, a loud volley from carbines and musketry
were poured into us by eighty of Writ Adams
cavalry, at distance of not over sixty yards.
1t seemed as though every tree concealed
| rebel The colonel fell along with his horse,
both pierced by the fatal bullet. One of my
scouts was wounded, another had his horse shot
| under him; mimic ball struck the writer on
the thigh, passing through and into his saddle.
| Three shots were all I could get, and began to
feel a dizziness, but just then the advance
guard of the column commanded by Lieuten-
ant Styles, came charging up across the BRIDGE
| followed by only twelve men. No sooner were
| they over the bridge than they were checked
| by a well-directed voley; they rallied and
| charged, but were too few in number and too
much exposed, while the enemy were protected
by the TIMBER and the. little band was forced to
retreat back across the bridge, leaving one man
| killed and two wounded, and seven dead horses.
| Nevertheless, they prevented the writer and
| his scouts from falling into the hands of the
| foe. just then the main column reached the
! timber, and two companies were dismounted
| and sent to the right and left as skirmishers,
/ while one section of the battery was brought
! forward and commenced sheiling the woods.
The enemy We're put to flight, and the Sixth
| Illinois took the advance in hot pursuit. while
! the Seventh remained to look after the killed
| and wounded.
LEFT BEHIND.
| My comrades soon stripped me of my rebel
uniform and put on the blue. pleaded to be
taken along, but it was useless. The command
would not be ineumbered with anything under
! the present circumstances. The colonel and
other wounded were borne by friendly hands
/ to plantation about one mile ahead, and the
! horses, equipments and arms were turned over
to comrades. Many kind farewell was said,
| and friends there parted, some never to meet
| tanned III this sharp encounter-all the injured
| being members of the Seventh Illinois cavalry:
| Lieut. Colonel Blackburn, mortally wounded;
! r. w. Surby, flesh wound; VIM. Roy seriously;
| K. w. Hughes, mortally ;'Geo Reinheld, killed.
/ The following were left to care for and nurse
| the wounded A. IeSuer and q. w. Douglas,
| Of the Seventh; also, DR.. E. Yulee, assistant
surgeon, Second Iowa cavalry, who accompan-
| led the expedition.
/ And now I cannot withhold my opinion of
| this unfortunate affair." nor refrain from show
ing how, in my Judgment, it might have been
| avoided. The reader will remember that at
| the time the scouts rode up to the picket post,
] and were obtaining information concerning the
force in the bottom land we we're startled by
| the report of firearms in our rear, caused by
| Lieutenant CASTOR and q few men leaving the
column without permission and riding up to
| plantation and coming In contact with some
| rebels exchanging shots, etc. Had those shots
| not been fired neither the picket nor the force
| in the bottom would have been alarmed. and
| / should have succeeded in obtaining all the
! necessary information about the force IN the
| bottom, thus enabling Colonel Grierson to
have perfected his plans, so as to have sur
| rounded the enemy, and probably have cap
tured them without the loss of life, thereby
saving to the country a few good soldiers and a
brave and efficient field officer, and sparing
the loved ones at home their sorrow and an-
| guish. Another sad mistake was that Colonel
! Blackburn with too much daring proceeded
across the bridge with no other support than a
| few scouts. He was a very large man. and
being dressed in full uniform and mounted
upon very fine horse, he was a most conspicu-
Gus target for the enemy There was no call
for this movement. The scouts had performed
! their duty up to this time, and, knowing that
q force occupied the timber in the bottom. they
should have been withdrawn. 1t was mira
Gle that any of us escaped the first yolley.
And now, as my thoughts at the time were
with the command, | will, with the readers
permission. still continue with them, aud mar
rate their adventures until they again returned
to old Tennessee, and then, not forgetful of
the suferings of those whom they were COM
PEELED to leave behind will return and tell
you of their fate.
AN EXCITING CHASE.
The eSixth led the pursuit of the fast st-retreating
foe now scattering in all directions, and found
the road strewn with old saddles, blankets,
coats, hats and firearms. The chase was both
amusing and exciting The Seventh soon
overlook the Sixth, and the command was soon
in louisiana The roads were in good condi-
tion and the column was making not less
than six miles per hour. About o'clock p. M,
when within six miles of Wallis Bridge, the
scouts discovered, on their right flank, about
forty rebels advancing on a side road, and
when they arrived at the junction of roads
commenced firing the rebs, who still kept
advancing, determined to gain the main road
replying. Just then the Sixth come in sight,
and at a distance of SIX hundred yards, threw
!, few shells among them, which caused
them to turn tail aud beat hasty retreat
This was most fortunate, for had they
, gained the main road, nothing could have
prevented them from reaching the Amet
River and destroying the extensive bridge
over that stream which would have been a
serious loss to the command. About 4 o'clock
D. IN. the column passed through Greensbor.
ough, a small town in st. Helena county. As
the scouts entered this place, scout Nelson dis.
covered mounted reb, standing picket on the
crossroads. Nelson approached him, saluting
and inquired who the was and what he was
doing there He replied that he was the county
clerk, and was waiting for courier to learn
the news. Nelson offered him his canteen and
told him to try some Yankee" whisky, at the
same time getting The drop ON him. ME- Rel
!. comprehended the situation, obeyed orders
took a good pull from the canteen, and, before
parting company, very politely asked Nelson
for another nip of that Yankee whisky
From this place the column took southwest
course. The roads Wereain splendid condition
3 and level as floor, and shaded ON both sides
e by tall forest pines When within four mile.
OF Amet River the country become more open
] showing some fine residences and extensive
g plantations The night was clear, starlight
one, and moderately warm The men were