The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-07-19

in this section Of the country, who rem
dered most valuable assistance to our
troops.
mot the least important result OF
this expedition was the accumulation Of
S22 horses aHd mules, sQ much needed
few exceptions. far superior to those
purchased by our Government for cav
airy service. After few days rest the
8th Ill. Cav. will be the best-mounted
regiment in the service. It may be
mentioned here that the most service
able horses the cavalry have had dur
ing the past year have been those cap
tured from the enemy. One company
that I know has, out Of so horses. IS
which were formerly in the Confeder-
ate service. and this company has not
had horse condemned In six months.
The reason for this is, the rebels press
into their service the best horses to be
found within their lines. while our
Government buys the poorest horses to
be had for a very limited price. Yet.
with all this advantage in favor Of our
enemies. our cavalry have thus far had
vim and pluck enough to capture two
OF their cavalrymen to every one lost.
What we could do. IL properly mount
ed, 1t Is impossible to imagine.
THE 9Th Ill. Cav. reached their camp
last night. and q more ludicrous process
sion was never formed than this caval-
cade Of cavalry. negroes. captured
horses. mules. carts. wagons. oxen. reb-
Ell soldiers, trotting sulkies, top car
riages, etc. There were about 100 pris-
oners, some OF them guerrillas. for
whose crimes the punishment is death;
three officers and a few smugglers. Up
ward OF $4,000 In Confederate money
was also secured, beside some Govern
ment securities. OF the negroes, 900
were stout. healthy field hands. who
have been assigned to duty as laborcrs
In the Quartermaster's Department.
where they will earn for themselves the
fair wages OF SIC per month and ra-
lions. The remainder were old men
and the wives. children or mothers oil
the first lot To feed this large family
and his command as we'll. Col. Glen
denim made heavy levies upon the
granaries Of Secesh, took possession OF
their grist mills, turned his soldiers into
millers, and thus succeeded In obtain.
ing abundant supplies Of meal and
-four. 1t was ascertained that some OF
the wealthiest citizens on the Neck
were engaged in the smuggling bust.
ness. or contributing in some way tc
the support Of the rebellion. and these
gentlemen were made to pay dearly FOL
their Secession sympathies. AS thei,
negroes have left them. it was thought
but just that the soldiers should take
their rations. So these Illinois eman.
cipators Jared sumptuously during Their
trip. The official reports OF the raid
show that upward of $1.O00,000 worth
OF rebel property was destroyed, aside
from what was brought into camp
while the blow struck at the smuggling
trade was the severest one yet dealt
This is by no means the first raid In
which the 9Th Ill. has distinguished
itself. while as fighting regiment it II
excelled by none. Gen. Pleasanton'.
Division. to which it has been attached
heretofore. has always had the mos
work and the most fighting to do Of
any cavalry command in the army. bu
has had less publicity given to TT
movements. That division, as indeed
all the cavalry, only need the proper
authority to make their raids and fights
more frequent, and IL permitted to dc
SO would do more by dealing sturdy
blows to effect a peace than all the
'Copperheads' or peace men, in the
country. YOurs-K."