Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1896-09-18

In which ..cavalry', Capture Qua:
boat.

'tdts -.
tBy Allen 7. Bowie, Captain Al. a. q.
4 Staff Of Brig. Gen. Writ Adams
c. s. a..
4 During the spring OF 1864. II.
Union troops from Vickshurg, Miss.
made raid in force consisting OF ii.
fantry, calvary and artillery, mp the
Yazoo valley, accompanied by a CUR
boat on the Yazoo river
Gen. Writ Adams, c. S. A afte,
assembling his available command.
cavalry and mounted artillery, Station
ed at different points along the
Mississippi Central Railroad for its
| protection, moved across to Yazoc
| City, arriving too late to intercept the
enemy's land force which had retreated
after slight skirmishing south of that
Iplace.
The gunboat Petrol No. 5 was cut
off north of the city of Yazoo by occu-
plying earthworks at the waters edge
with artillery supported by sharpsheot-
ers These works had been erected
earlier in the war.
The date was April %, 1864. The
gunboat Petrol No. tied up at the
west bank of the river Just above and
in sight from the heights that over
looked Yazoo City. 1t was thought
the boat would endeavor to run by the
Confederate position at night under
cover of darkess, possibly aided by the
Union forces encamped across. the bend
of the river below the city. Gen.
Writ Adams attempted to make en- eff
for to capture the boat, and selected
Col. John Griffith, 18th Arkansas regi-
ment, to lead the detail. Col. Griffith,
after receiving minute instructions
from the general commanding, was
given detachment consisting of one
piece of artillery and one hundred cav
airy.
10 the soldier accustomed to the
duties of army life and the moving in
masses, separate or detached, duty is
always sought after and welcomed
when attained, affording opportunity
for individual distinction and display
of personal valor aud ability.
Col Griffith moved promptly down
into the valley withthis command. He
had the best of guides, Cor one large
company of Gen. Writ Adams COM
mand had been. mustered into the SER
vice from Yazoo county. Passing
through Yazoo City, lady from her
front door halted the detachment, ask
ing who commanded and where it was
going. Col. John Griffith, six feet
four inches in height, and of huge pro-
portions, astride a small gray horse, |
announced his name and as belonging
to the Writ Adams cavalry, and that
he, was on bis way to capture gun.
boat. The lady, who bore a name
prominent among Mississippi's distin-
guished statesmen and soldiers, replied,
"Colonel Ross tried to do that
once and failed. !" Colonel Crit
fifth replied. "Oh yes; madam,
but he never commanded such men as
| have the honor to lead on this occa-
sion, : Mrs. Barksdale, for she it was
repfed, Then, Col. Griffith, promise
me to come back and tell me all about
il when You succeed. All honor to |.
Col. Ross and the brave soldiers who
him to the war from Tex
as. He indeed was then, and is. "a gal
liant leader, as since the war he has
held the Office of governor and is a
power IN hist State. Col Ross had
done some hard fighting in and around
Yazoo City and deservedly, along with
bis command, was held in the yery
highest esteem 1t is only necessary to
say that Col. Griffith made the promise
amid the cheers of those around who
had heard all that passed.
After leaving the city by what is
known as the upper valley road, into
he densely wooded swamp this de-
tachment disappears, and the now dis
mounted men drag and push their gun
nut quietly to the river bank and OPEN
ID fire upon the unsnspecting foe with
ne one cannon and one hundred rifles
4 very close range. The well-seryed !.
annon at its first discharge disabled
he machinery of the boat, and the
'uliets from the rifles, through the
pen matches, cut down the gunners
nd prevented the serving of the boats
nns or the closing of the matches.
he demcralized survivors of the crew
tam peded from the boat and escaped
p the west bank of the river, leaving
le prize to be boarded by the Con- +,