and in good order at La Grange for further duty. These horses should be promoted and have an extra pad in their saddles. Had it not been for this stampede, many more men would have been killed or captured. Taking advantage of the confusion caused by this unexpected onset, the larger portion of the regiment dashed forward, and succeeded in getting through with but little fighting and few accidents. As soon as Forrest discovered, from the disposition made of our troops, that he was about to be caught in a trap, he set himself to work to effect his escape. Abandoning the works at Jackson, he sent a part of his command in a south-east direction to work out their own salvation. With two thousand five hundred men and two thousand conscripts, he moved down toward Bolivar, the point at which the railroad to Jack son crosses the Hatchie River, and, while Richardson's men were engaging the Seventh Illinois cavalry, he was making all speed in crossing over. part of Richardson's force took a position near Moscow to cover the rear of the retreating army, and Forrest proceeded toward Collierville. General Grierson was still at La Grange. As soon as he was notified of the fact that the rebels were crossing at La Fayette, the Third brigade, cavalry division, was ordered to the cars to proceed to that point. The order was promptly execute, and as soon as possible the brigade was transferred to a point about two miles west of Moscow. It was now dark. A line of battle was immediately formed, and moved forward through the swamps and undergrowth with difficulty. Heavy firing was heard in advance, and the boys pushed anxiously ahead. Upon nearing La Fayette, which was aglow with the light of burning houses, it was found that a part of the Ninth Illinois cavalry was already there, and had been skirmishing with Forrest's rearguard. He, with his conscripts and plunder, was going west on the line of the railroad, and was supposed to be already at Collierville. It was now near midnight, and every thing seemed to indicate a fight at that place in the morning. Once across the Hatchie River, his way was unobstructed until he approached the line of the M. and C. Railroad. Passing near Middleburgh, At two o'clock our column was pushed forhe turned westward, and, moving so as to avoid ward, and by daylight reached Collierville. But too close contact with La Grange, took a course the enemy was gone. The place had been atleading to Moscow. But on leaving Bolivar a tacked on the previous afternoon, and had been small force was sent in advance to find a safe ably defended by about one hundred convalescrossing on Wolf River. This party came within cents. The rebels had then retreated southward eight miles of Memphis, but finding the river too without any effort in force to take the place, and wide for their pontoons, proceeded eastward the trifling demonstration which was repulsed by along that river to test the crossings at other a handful of sick men was all that occurred. places. Detecting these movements on the part But it turns out that it was Richardson's force of the enemy, General Hurlbut ordered all the that made the attack on Collierville, for the purbridges and trestle-work to be destroyed. This pose of drawing our attention in that direction, was done except in one case. The officer in while the main body of Forrest's army went command at Lafayette failed to execute the order south from La Fayette with their conscripts, catfor some unknown reason, the result of which tle, etc., and got safely across the Tallahatchie. disobedience of orders will be seen directly. It It was at this crossing that my informant and his may be worth while to state that the highlands, companions deserted. Colonel Mizener, with a which start from the Mississippi River at Ran- brigade of cavalry, attempted to intercept the dolph, stretch out toward the north boundary of enemy, between La Fayette and Holly Springs, the State of Mississippi, and passing down near but they had too much start, and the attempt the centre of that State, do not touch the river failed. At this date, Forrest, Lee, Chalmers, and again until they reach Vicksburgh. All the land Richardson are in North-Mississippi, and our between these highlands and the river is very forces are encamped at their former positions on swampy and liable to overflow, except the bluffs the railroad. The failure to capture Forrest, and at Memphis and a few unimportant points below. his whole command, was owing solely to the The reader will now understand why we have so bridge not having been destroyed in compliance many bridges and so much trestle-work to take with General Hurlbut's orders. care of. On the first instant, at ten o'clock in the foreWhen within a mile of Lafayette, the party noon, the force sent from Collierville to intercept alluded to discovered five or six cavalry near a the enemy before he could reach Holly Springs, farm-house. Their horses were hitched to the arrived at Mount Pleasant, where it was learned fence, and the cavalry were lounging about un- that the rear-guard of the rebels had, a few hours conscious of the nearness of the enemy. Leav- before, passed south. Pushing ahead vigorously, ing a score of men to watch this outpost, the our troops followed them to Hudsonville, twenty rebels took a roundabout course, and found that miles further. By this time it had been discovthe crossing at this place was vulnerable. For-ered that Chalmers had moved north from Parest was immediately notified, and the main body nola, and formed a junction with Forrest, whose made for that point, after throwing out a picket force was thus augmented to six thousand. Our near Moscow to contest our advance from La single brigade had consequently to hold its Grange. They arrived, and commenced crossing ground and await reënforcements. These arrivat about two P.M., and by sunset they were all ed next day, Colonel Mizener's brigade having over-rebels, conscripts, beef cattle, and all. A been sent down from Collierville. For two days the pursuit was continued, but necessarily with caution, as Forrest's force was known to be yet superior to ours. When near Holly Springs, reliable information was brought in that the enemy's main column, reenforced by Ferguson's division, had left the Taylor plantation, twelve miles west from Holly Springs, and were yet moving south, having ten hours start of us. The pursuit was here abandoned, and our column, tired out by nearly two weeks of unceasing active service, turned back, and moved by easy stages toward Collierville and Memphis. It is known that, on the seventh instant, the entire rebel force was near Camden, Miss. It is likely they will remain there until they eat up the two hundred beeves they stole in this raid. There can be no doubt that if General Hurlbut's orders had been properly executed at La Fayette, Forrest and his whole force would now have been our prisoners. the latter not kept a vigorous hold to the handle, it would have been knocked a rod. Just then some occurrence outside caused them to hurry away, and both officers escaped. In the great hurry in which the rebels made their crossing at La Fayette, there was necessarily much confusion and straggling. By some means an officer of Forrest's staff became separated from the main column, and after our occupation of the place he came riding up in the dark and inquired for headquarters. The sentinel pointed out the house just occupied by General Grierson. Starting in the direction indicated, he was encountered by Major Starr of the Seventh Illinois, to whom he repeated the inquiry. "What headquarters ?" asked the Major. "Why, d-n it, General Forrest's, of course," replied the rebel. "This way, then," said the Major, and to his unspeakable surprise he was escorted to the presence of General Grierson. M'K. Doc. 51. DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH. GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 6. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, During the fight at Summerville, between the Seventh Illinois cavalry and a part of Richardson's troops, Colonel Prince, in trying to rally his men, became separated from the main body, and, after the regiment had cut its way out, managed to pass through the enemy's lines and escape alone to Summerville. At that place he was concealed by a Union citizen, and at night was guided between the rebel pickets, and arrived safely at La Grange. A number of his men were also concealed and fed for two or three days by citizens of the same town, and were assisted in making their way through the rebel pickets by the same true-hearted patriots. Lieutenant McIntire, of the Ninth Illinois ORDERED: That Major-General Gillmore, comcavalry, relates that just as the fight near Sum-manding the department of the South, be, and he merville commenced he arrived on the ground is hereby, authorized: with a despatch from General Grierson to Colonel Prince. Finding himself surrounded and unable to escape, he sprang from his horse and crawled under a house; but fearing that this might not be a safe place, he crept to a cottongin, a short distance off. In the gin he found a large heap of cotton-seed. Jumping into the heap, he covered himself with the seed, so as to have only his head out, over which he pulled a basket. Here the lieutenant was feeling comparatively safe, when an officer of the Seventh bulged in the door, with a dozen rebels at his heels. The officer ran up-stairs and hid under some loose boards in the floor. The rebels put a guard around the house, and began a vigorous search. Up-stairs and down they went several times, and every hiding-place but the right one was examined. They knew that the officer was there some place, and they were determined to have him. Presently, the heap of cotton-seed caught their attention, and forthwith they began plunging their sabres into it. The heap was probed in all directions, but providentially without touching the Lieutenant's body. At last, one of them, exasperated beyond endurance at their ill-success, vented his anger on the basket over the Lieutenant's head, by striking it a furious blow with the sword. Had First. To enlist and organize all the colored troops that can be recruited within his department, the said enlistments to be in accordance with the rules and regulations of the service and of the War Department, relating to the organization of colored troops, and such further orders as may from time to time be given by the Department. Second. General Gillmore is authorized to appoint a board for the examination of white persons to officer the regiments and companies so raised by him, and to make provisional appointments of the persons passed by said board, and appointed by him, reporting their names to this department for its approval, and, if approved, such persons will be commissioned by the President, as in other cases of colored troops. He may also appoint a mustering officer, and have the officers and troops mustered in at such times as he may deem proper. Third. The troops so raised may consist of infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and in such proportion as General Gillmore may deem most beneficial for the service; their pay and allowance to be in accordance with the act of Congress and the rules and regulations of the service respecting colored troops, but a bounty may be allowed, not to exceed the sum of ten dollars, payable out of the fund for procuring substitutes, as in the case of recruits in the department of Virginia. Fourth. All other authorities for raising colored troops, within the department aforesaid, shall be subject to the direction of Major-General Gillmore, until further orders. Fifth. That General Gillmore is authorized, under the foregoing regulations, to procure recruits. from Key West, or in the States of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, not, however, so as to interfere with the engineer service at Key West. Sixth. All the colored troops now in the department of the South, or that may be recruited therein, or that shall be sent forward, may be organized in such brigades, divisions, and corps as General Gillmore may deem most advantageous to the service, he making report to Major Foster, Chief of Bureau in the War Department for organizing colored troops. Seventh. The colored troops to be called United States troops, and be numbered by regiments, in consecutive order, as organized. By order of the Secretary of War. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General. By command of Major-General Q. A. GILLMORE. ED. W. SMITH, W. W. BURGER, Assistant Adjutant-Generals. Doc. 52. GENERAL VANCE'S EXPEDITION. RICHMOND EXAMINER ACCOUNT. RICHMOND, Jan. 29. WE have some interesting particulars of the recent expedition of the North-Carolina forces into East-Tennessee, which terminated so disastrously, and resulted, among other misfortunes, in the capture of General Vance, who was in command. General Vance crossed the Smoky Mountain at the head of Lufty, with about three hundred and fifty-five cavalry, two pieces of artillery, and one hundred and fifty Indians. The force had great difficulty in crossing; the soldiers had to take the horses out of the wagons to get down the mountain over a perfect sheet of ice for three miles. After getting to the foot, part of the command was left, while General Vance, with about one hundred and seventy-five men, started to Sevierville on a reconnoissance. When in about two miles, he heard of a Yankee train of wagons being there. Our small force immediately charged and captured seventeen wagons, one hundred mules, and twenty-six prisoners. The enemy were then within four miles of our force, and General Vance at once started out with the captured property. This was about three P.M. The General thought it was impossible to get back over the Smoky Mountain, and endeavored to make his way to the Cattaloocha road, on the head of Cosby Creek. He immediately despatched to Thomas (who was the seVOL. VIII.-Doc. 22 nior officer in command) to send Colonel Henry, with the balance of the command and artillery, by the road around the base of the mountain, to meet him on Cosby. The force with General Vance travelled that night until twelve o'clock, when they found the road in their front blockaded. They then had to lay by until daylight, when they cut out the blockade, and reached Cosby about one P.M.; but, instead of finding Henry there, they found a despatch from him saying that, upon consultation with Colonel L. Thomas, he had concluded the route was imprac ticable, and would fall back across the Smoky Mountain. So there was General Vance, with the captured property, prisoners, etc., and only about one hundred and seventy-five men. These had not been on the creek one hour before they were attacked by a Yankee cavalry force about four hundred strong. Our command was completely dispersed, the property recaptured, half the men taken prisoners, among them General Vance and part of his staff. The fight occurred on Thursday, the fifteenth, about half-past two P.M. Our men were perfectly panic-stricken, and made no fight at all. The General escaped from the house where he was, and got across the creek, and was endeavoring to get to the advanced-guard, when he was captured. The enemy did not stop at all, but dashed on toward the front. One of our officers in the affair writes as follows: "We succeeded in rallying the men on a little point, which was a pleasant position, but the men were so frightened, that they only stood one fire and broke. It was the worst stampede I ever saw or heard of. Nearly every man lost his horse." Doc. 53. SEIZURE OF REBEL PROPERTY. GENERAL BUTLER'S ORDER. HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS, DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS, No. 10. To correct a misapprehension which seems to exist with the officers of this command as to their powers and duties in taking property for military purposes, and their accountability therefor; to afford just protection to peaceful and quiet citizens, from unauthorized and lawless acts, and to enable them to obtain speedy redress and remuneration therefor, if found loyal; to allow the taking in an orderly manner only, such property and material as may be necessary and useful for military purposes, or to deprive the enemy thereof, likely to fall into their hands, or if found in the hands of those in rebellion, or aiding the enemy; to give full force and effect to the example whenever it is found necessary to punish summarily offences, by the destruction of the property of offenders; It is ordered: I. That private property of a peaceable inhabitant shall be seized only when needed for the use of the troops, either for shelter, transportation, fuel, or food, or from known enemies, to be turned over to the agents of the Treasury. Secondly. It may be taken or destroyed, in order to deprive the enemy thereof, when in danger of falling into his hands, or to prevent its use by the enemy. Thirdly. It may be destroyed, as a summary punishment for offences, such as discharging a musket by a citizen, from his house, upon a body of troops, or setting poisoned food before soldiers, or murder within a house, or using the house and property to secrete murderers, or as a rendezvous for felons and the like. In each of these cases the act can be done only by the order of a commissioned officer, in command of an army, expedition, separate detachment, or post. II. It has been brought to the notice of the Commanding General, that there is a reluctance on the part of officers seizing property, either as a military necessity or upon orders, to give to the party claiming certificates, showing such seizure, thereby leaving themselves liable to the imputation of having carried away property which they have not in fact taken, and exposing the United States to claims sometimes unfound ed, and always exorbitant. There should be no hesitation in giving such certificates. It does not add to the responsibility of the officer, but, on the contrary, is a protection both to himself and the Government. No officer should do an act which he is not willing to certify having done. It is therefore the duty of every officer, taking any property from any peaceable citizen, whether loyal or disloyal, to give a certificate to the party, claimant, or person from whom it is taken, place where and person from whom taken, with the name, regiment, and company, as the case may be, in full of the officer actually making the seizure; whether that seizure is made upon that officer's own responsibility, or under orders from his superior, and to make a report of the same to his immediate commander. Such certificate should also state whether the property taken is that of a loyal or disloyal citizen, to the best of the information of the captor. III. In case it becomes necessary, for military purposes, to destroy any houses, buildings, or other property, a certificate stating the cause of the act should be given by the officer making the order, or doing the act, to the person claiming, or it should be affixed to the nearest prominent object, if practicable, and in each case a report made to the immediate commander of the act done and of the certificate given. Any officer taking property of a citizen for any purpose whatever, whether loyal or disloyal, without giving such certificate to the claimant, or destroying any property, without such certificate, and reporting the act as above provided, shall be deemed to be, and held guilty as for unauthorized and causeless plunder and embezzle ment of the property taken, or for an unjustifiable destruction of property, as the case may be. In such cases, the Commanding General will not too much invoke the aid of a court-martial in punishing the offenders. IV. Cases of difficulty have arisen where the negroes, formerly slaves, joining the troops of the United States on marches and expeditions, with intent to come within our lines for protection, bring with them property of their former masters. While the theory adopted by some officers that all the property in the rebel States belongs to the negroes, because it is the product of their labor, is theoretically true, yet it is not such a truth as can be made the foundation of government action. Therefore negroes, while they are to be induced to join our marches and expeditions, are not to be allowed to bring with them any other than those personal effects which have belonged to them, or such property as the officer commanding may order. If it becomes necessary to take means of transportation from their masters, it is to be receipted for by the officer in command, as in other cases, stating the purpose for which such transportation is taken. V. Competent officers make good soldiers; efficient officers can prevent outrage and plunder on the part of their men. All officers will be held strictly responsible for the acts of their men, and will be held to make good all plundering by the troops under their immediate command. In punishing the offences of plundering, the inquiry at these headquarters will be, not which men did the act complained of, but who was the immediate commander of the men liable for the outrage. VI. All property, seized as above provided, must be accounted for, or turned over to the quarterinaster or provost-marshal, to be taken up on their accounts, or the officer under whose command it is taken will be held liable for embezzlement. By command of Major-General BUTLER. Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. Doc. 54. FIGHT NEAR DANDRIDGE, TENN. CAMP NEAR STRAWBERRY PLAINS, There Wood's division of Granger's corps drove the rebel cavalry out of Dandridge January fifteenth; Sheridan's division came up the sixteenth. There was sharp skirmishing the evening of the sixteenth, but the enemy was driven back. was a tough fight Sunday, lasting from three o'clock P.M. till dark. La Grange's brigade of cavalry, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth, Ninetythird, and First Ohio infantry-One Hundred and Twenty-fifth commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, Ninety-third and First by the major of the Ninety-third-were the forces chiefly engaged on our part. The infantry regiments were on picket; and the forces in the order from left to right as named above. In addition to this a section of a battery was posted on a hill in rear of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth. The rebels came on in strong force, five to one. The cavalry videttes were soon driven in; then the infantry outposts, supported by the outpost reserves, were hotly engaged; and finally, and indeed very soon, the grand reserves went in, and the fight became general and severe. Our troops fought desperately, especially the infantry. The outposts, as skirmishers, excelled praise. Captain Bates, of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio, commanding skirmishers on the right of that regiment, made a charge, and, gallantly supported by the Ninety-third and the First on his right, drove the rebs nearly a quarter of a mile back, clear to their main body. Infantry skirmishers on the left also fought most stubbornly; but the cavalry being driven back, they were flanked and forced back to the grand reserve. In the open ground, looking up the road to Bull's Gap, was a semi-circular depression, a sort of natural rifle pit, in which the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth, grand reserve, had been posted. This proved to be the key to the whole position. The men fired by volley, and were only exposed as they rose up to deliver their fire. The ground not only sheltered them, but concealed their strength from the enemy, who tried by artillery, infantry, and sharp-shooters posted in tree-tops to dislodge them. And, though flanked on the right and left, they" Tigers" General Wood named them at Mission Ridge, and they deserve the name held their ground till dark, and then retired across a ravine, and took up a new position, from which they poured in a volley, which ended the progress of the rebels for that day. There they remained, until Colonel Garrard, with his splendid regiment, dismounted, advanced, and occupied the ground. The regiment was then, by order of Colonel Garrard, posted on the crest of the hill next in rear, where it was relieved near midnight by the Fifteenth Wisconsin. The stubborn fighting of the infantry alone saved the town from capture, and, perhaps, the entire command from defeat, for preparations for retreat had been going on all day, and the troops engaged were not reënforced for fear of bringing on a general engagement, for which we were not ready. The retreat was made over two routes, our forces falling back across the Holston to Strawberry Plains. Newmarket was occupied by the rebels yesterday. The forces here are ready for any emergency, and expect an attack from Longstreet, who has been heavily reënforced. Still, if the enemy is as strong as reported, you need not be surprised to hear of us next at Knoxville. Doc. 55. RE-ORGANIZATION OF ARKANSAS. Lincoln to General Steele in reference to the reTHE following are the instructions of President organization of Arkansas : EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1864. Major-General Steele : Sundry citizens of the State of Arkansas petition me that an election may be held in that State, at which to elect a Governor; that it be assumed at that election, and thenceforward, that the Constitution and laws of the State, as before the rebellion, are in full force, except that the Constitution is so modified as to declare that there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted; that the General Assembly may make such provisions for the freed people as shall recognize and declare their permanent freedom and provide for their education, and which may yet be construed as a temporary arrangement, suitable to their present condition as a laboring, landless, and homeless class; that said election shall be held on the twenty-eighth day of March, 1864, at all the usual places of the State, for all such voters as may attend for that purpose; that the voters attending at each place at eight o'clock in the morning of said day may choose judges and clerks of election for that purpose; that all persons qualified by said Constitution and laws and taking the oath presented in the President's proclamation of December eighth, 1864, either before or at the election, and none others, may be voters; that each set of judges and clerks may make returns directly to you, on or before the day of next; that, in all other respects, said election may be conducted according to said modified Constitution and laws; that, on the receipt of said returns, when five thousand four hundred and six votes shall have been cast, you can receive said votes, and ascertain all who shall thereby appear to have been elected; that, on the of next, all persons so appearing to have been elected, who shall appear before you at Little Rock, and take the oath, to be by you severally administered, to support the Constitution of the United States and modified Constitution of the State of Arkansas, and be declared by you qualified and empowered to immediately enter upon the duties of the offices to which they shall have been respectively elected. You will please order an election to take place on the twenty-eighth of March, 1864, and returns to be made in fifteen days thereafter. A. LINCOLN. Doc. 56. REBEL ARMY IN VIRGINIA. GENERAL LEE'S ORDER. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA, THE Commanding General considers it due to |