The National tribune., 1898-03-24

Z Another Yankee raiG seemed to have
been made into the interior Of Mississippi,
more railroad was reported TO be destroyed,
and great doubts were expressed whether
/ should be able to get into Nicksburg at
all
However, as / found some other people
as determined 10 proceed as myself, we
hired a carriage for 500 to drive to Brook
haven, which is the nearest point on the
railroad, and is distant from Natchez 66
miles.
We left Natchez, driven by negro named
Nelson; the carriage and the three
horses belong to him, and he drives IL for
has own profit; but he is, nevertheless, a
slave, and pays his owner $3.50 week to
be allowed 10 work on his own account
Every traveller we met on the road was
eagerly asked the questions: Are the
Yanks in Brookbaven? Is the railroad
openi"
At first we received satisfactory replies;
but at p. M. we met an officer driving to-
wards NatcheZ at a great pace; he gave us
the alarming intelligence that jackson was
going TO be evacuated.
On the other hand, we were told that
Gen. Joseph Johnston had arrived and as
stunned the command in Mississippi. He
appears to be an officer in whom every one
places unbOuDded confidence.
We slept at a farmhouse. All the males
were absent at the war; and il is impos-
sible TO exaggeTate the unfortunate condi-
farnnhouses; they have scarcely any
clothes, and nothing but the coarsest bacon
TO eat, and are in miserable uncertainty
as 10 the fate Of their relations, with whom
they can hardly ever communicate. Their
slaves, however, generally remain true to
them.
We started a little before daylight, our
team looking so very mean that we ex-
pressed doubts as to their lasting-to Mr.
Nelson's great indignation.
We met d great crowd Of negroes, who
had been run into the SWamps to be out of
the way Of the Yankees, and they were
now returning 10 Louisiana.
wounded soldier gave us the deplorable
information that the enemy really was on
the railroad between jackson and Brook
haven, and that jackson itself was in his
hands. This news staggered US all, and
Nelson became alarmed for The safety OF
his wretched animals but we all deter
mined 10 go on at all hazards, and see
What turned up.
We sssed the night in the veranda Of
an ole farmer. lie told US that Grerson s
Yankee raid had captured him about three
weeks ago. He thought the Yankees were
about 800 strong; they took all good
horses, leaving their worn-out ones be-
hind. They destroyed railroad Govern
ment property, and arms, and paroled all
men, both old and young. but they com
mitted no barbarities Ia this manner they
uaversed all the State Of Mississippi with
out meeting any resistance. They were
fine looking men from the Northwestern
States.
May live started again at z.30 a. m.
and met five wounded men, who had been
captured and paroled by Banks in Iouisi-
ana; they confirmed everything about the
TALL Of jackson, which made me consider
myself particularly unfortunate. and des-
tined apparently To be always intercepted
by The Northern troops, which had han.
pened TO be at Alexandria at Harrison
burg, and now again at Jackson Al s a
IA. we reached the little town Of Brook.
haven, which was full OF tray lcrs princi.
palIy Confederate soldiers, anxious to re.
join their regiments
Maxey's Brigade left this place bv road
last night to join Gen Johnston. who is
supposed TO be concentrating his forces al
place called Canton, not far from .Jacl(.
son.
] called on Capt. Matthew'S. the office,
who commanded at Brookhaven. and aftc,
introducing myself 10 him, he promised II
assist me, by every means in his uou,e,
to join Gen. Johnston.
At noon, just as ! had begun 10 get in
very low spirits about the prospects al
getting on, locomotive arrived from p
station called Ha Zlehurst ard brought ms
the astonishing report that the Yankees
bad suddenly abandoned jackson after
destroying all the Government ard a good
oehl OF private property. This news caused
our prospects 10 look brighter
May ls.-On getting up this morning
every thing appeared very uncertain, and
q thousand contradictory reports and nm
noTS were flying about