The National tribune., 1891-12-31

az W merely as one al
VI E Y system Of deienses Of The
f"" Gulf" and as rendez-
vous OF the naval forces, whose work was now
so take Mobile Pensacola, Galveston, ana other
rebel strongholds, whose possession was nee
essary in order that we might control the great
gulf from the center al around TO the sea"
Now the couirabands began 70 come IN across
Mississippi Sound, in boats which They pur-
loined from their masters or from some other
niggers' masters, aud which carried them 10y
night across the few miles OF water which lay
between them aud liberty. These escaped
slaves brought 10 the General Information OF
OIL kinds about the people aud the uOings upon
the mainland. Gen. ID, moved by some OF
these reports, and by the prospect OF picking up
fresh provisions determined 10 make certain
accommodating expeditions into the Slate OIL
Mississippi. Accordingly soon after midnight
on the Sd OF June six companies Of the tn
were embarked on the steamer Sallo Robinson.
The General took command in person, aud the
Hospital Steward, much 20 his own surprise,
was detailed as medical officer of the expedition.
Why this was done was never known TO the
said Hospital Steward. Whether the General
was afraid lac might lose his Surgeons If he al
lowed them 10 60 OF whether he had more
confidence in tho Steward ms a lorRger viii
probably never be known. Be it as 70 may, the
fact is thai the writer OF this the humble Hos
pital Steward OF the til, was the only medl-
cal officer aboard.
The Salie having received her load, steamed
out Of the hRrbor and about 7.30 n the morn
ing tied up at the wharf az Pass Christian. The
six companies marched ashore. formed IN line
IN a beautiful lawn and grove la front of a fine
old mansion, stacked arms, and proceeded 10
make themselves ms comfortable as circum-
stances would permit. Ii any line Of piekets
WAS established it was unknown 10 the writer.
The General called upon the comfortable old
gentleman Of the mansion Aforesaid. The
officers and men strolled around the village
talked with the people, bought good things 10
cat and allowed with the utmost cquanImity
the inhabitants, white and black alike 10 stare
with opcn-eyed aud open mou.hed wonder at
the Wild and feTocious animals known TO them
by report only as live Yankees The men be-
hayed with great propriety, There was not
single instance Of insult or Ill treatment TO any
individual, nor was any property taken which
was not fully paid for. The few officers and
men who remained with the stack, l0lled upon
thu green turf and went 10 sleep al their own
sweet wills. ID would have been an easy thing
for a small force Of rebs 20 scoop in the whole
outfit; but. although il was remarked that not
an able-bOdicd white man was 10 be seen in the
settlement, NO hostile demonstration was made,
nor was there any sign Of an enemy in the
neighbOrhood. What might have happened
had we remained IN this careless aud defense
Jess condition very long can only be con-
leCtured Alter enjoying o few hours Of rest
under the trees aud o. most delightful refresh
ment OF looking upon the luxuriant green Of
semi-iFOpicd heritage By eyes lung blasted by
the seOrCling Euu aud sand at Slip Island, we
Te-embarked on the gentle Sallie and steamed a
few miles up Bay ST. Louis and then back 10
our sand-bank.
As q military cEped tion this was much like
the one we read % la our school days, where
the General marched iis great army up the
hill and ti.en marched them down again. As q
pleasant picnic aud grateful ryiicl from Tic
tedious BOnotony Of our island PRISON, IL Eas q
decided success We never knew Just what
was accomplished by this expedition. but tic
impression prevailed that the General told iht
comfortable old gentleman Of the mansion just
what be should expect him 90 do, aud what Ok
should require him 10 refrain from doing and
OF course, that settled the matter.
Our memories 81 Pass Christian are Of ID,
most agreeable nature and we can recommend
u az q pleasant place Of resort TO people who
are confined upon hot and sandy islands
Stall the c0lOFed people continued 10 flock q
the island, bringing reports 81 various kinds
from the mainland. They told Us that then
were some families who remained true 20 thi
Union. That the "sccesh had organized
company Of mnuHted guerTillas. who were ridinj
mp aud down the country, robbing aud perse
cutting al who were suspected OF Union pro
clIvlties, cliiFalr1usly whipping defenscess ne
Rroes, and perpctmiiuR al sorts Of deyiltr,
under the pfelonso Of looking after the utter
ests Of the G0niederacy. That some miles d
Bay S. Louis and the Jordan River was a fcrr
which Use bandits made use Of aud the dc
Etructi0n Of which would much impede thei
operations. The General concluding that Ga
nice old gentleman al the iine mansion ut Pas
Christian had failed 10 use has influence 10 kee
IN check the bushwhHckers, determined upol
another reconnaissance aud this time 10 uso
sterner kind Of persuasion.
Accordingly, Two companies Of tie III
commanded by Capt g., and guided by escape
slaves, were placed on hoard the steamer Cre0l
on the night u June q. fhe Hospital Stew
ard was aEHn detailed as Medical Officer Of d
expedition. The Object OF this excursion vi
90 HrrCs' some 81 The more active OF the disuI
i0nisiS and those who harborpd aud encourage
The Eugriiias, 40 afford au ium 10 such Of IA
prosecuted Iuioulsts az desired il 20 destru
The ferry aforesaid 10 procure fresh beef an
other provisions; aud, ID possible 10 meet al
punish Zoe organized band 81 robbers.
E8r.y Boo Doe morning 81 the 22d we t0uchG
al Pass Christian where small dciachmei
landed and escorted on board coupls Of vel
much surprised and indignant citizens AZ rri
Oners. hteAminE on up bay 81. Louis, we vi
iteo two plantations belonging 10 men who we
ANetik ~ AilF lLntl hih4s 4 Ne ihtmlIlUk Ai
also disappeared, leaving "a large number
slaves To take care of themselves who said al,
were Rctuuly suffering Tor want al food. lie
we took on board u head OF cattle Some
the boys also visited the houses 81 the owns
whence they took whatever pleased their fan
without ] fear, leaving anything 10 pay for
Here q Lieutenant aud about 20 men we
detached, guided by an old half breed India
who said he was a true Union man, 20 90 "a
eTa mIlos into tic country, arrest viole
notwithstanding secessionisl, aud 20 retu
with their prisoner 10 the boat lower down 1
river, aud near the old lndinu's cabin. Wen
ashore some boxes Of hard bread aud barrels
Hour for the hungry ncFr5s, who respond
with many God bless you 4" The Creo
with the main party, bow pushed on up I
Tivcr some 10 miles further DESTROYED the leri
bout mud fixtures and started 60 return.
IL was a beautiful Sabbath afternoon. Il
weather was delightful The men were enit
ing their little outing aud their fresh PROV
ions 90 the utmost We bad got about hall- "
down tile river and the officers had been cal
o. bupper The men were louuging about {
boat. many Of them out Of reach of their ml
Eois; some were aslecp. some were eating
were thinking Of anything but drnrer Z
officers lad barely seated themselves at