goons, under those far-famed Yankee chiefs, Smith and Grierson, with such fierce displays of valor and determination as argued badly for Forrest's infantry scouts, scattered through the bushes and over the prairie in rather an irregular and unmilitary style. But these valorous horsemen did not advance far before the balls of two thousand riflemen began to rattle through their ranks with fearful effect. Scores of men and horses fell at the first fire, and their onward movement was checked, and before they could recover and re-form, the volley was repeated-again and again-until dismay and terror began to prevail in their ranks, and they soon broke into confusion and fled.

Forrest then mounted his men and began his pursuit, which he kept up with great vigor for nearly twenty miles, the enemy leaving behind many of his wounded and exhausted men, all his dead, his horses, prisoners, five pieces of artillery, burning his packs and turning loose his mules. Having discovered the small force of Forrest, several attempts were made by Smith and Grierson to rally their men and resume the offensive. Their efforts were successful on the hills just beyond Okolona, when the last grand charge was made by them. It was met in the same way as their previous attempts, but even with more vigor and determination by Forrest's men, who had in a few hours become veterans. Several crushing volleys from their rifles quickly arrested the impetuous valor of the Yankees, and sent them to the rear in the wildest confusion and dismay. By this time Forrest had exhausted his ammunition and the strength of his horses. He could not follow up the enemy.

Fortunately, however, General Gholson arrived with some fresh State troops, new levies hastily gathered, and took the place of Forrest's men, following up the Yankees for a great distance, harassing them, capturing and killing and wounding many, and picking up arms, wagons, horses, and a great variety of other valuable property thrown away by the enemy in his wild flight. The enemy never halted for a moment in his retreat, and when last heard from, the remnant of his splendid force was hastening fast to Memphis in far different plight from that in which they had so recently emerged from their fortifications. As soon as the news of this disaster reached Sherman, he began his retrograde movement toward the Mississippi, Lee following him up and hanging on his flanks, and harassing him continually. When last heard from, he was dragging his wearied, broken-down column back to Vicksburgh, in a demoralized state, the most mortified, disappointed, and disgusted chief who ever led ten thousand men up the hill and then marched them down again.

To increase this feeling of mortification and disgust, Sherman's conscience was burdened with a load of infamy which, even upon a Yankee General, could not have pressed lightly, in the recollection of the dastardly outrages upon private property, in the destruction of mills, of the houses of poor, inoffensive people living near his

|

line of march, and in the shameful excess of his wretched mercenaries. We could hardly wish our bitterest enemy a larger portion of misery than must have fallen upon this ambitious aspirant on his return to the fortifications to Vicksburgh. An educated soldier, who had long associated with gentlemen, who had received the highest favors and unbounded kindness and hospitality from the Southern people, during his residence in Louisiana, Sherman has, by the license extended to his brutal hirelings, in their march through Mississippi, and by his own acts of outrage and cruelty, shown a degree of infamy that entitles him to take rank with Butler, McNeil, Hunter, and other Federal chiefs whose only achievements in this war have been those of the ruffian, the pirate, the plunderer and highwayman.

Doc. 123.

CAPTURE OF GENERAL SCAMMON.
RICHMOND "EXAMINER ACCOUNT.

RICHMOND, February 18, 1864. WE have the particulars of the gallant exploit recently performed by Lieutenant Verdigan and ten men belonging to the Sixteenth Virginia cavalry, commanded by Colonel J. Ferguson, of Wayne County, in the capture of a Yankee steamer.

For two months past, the Colonel and most of his men have been wintering within the enemy's lines in the county above named. They have had several successful skirmishes with the enemy, and had, on a former occasion, sent out sixteen prisoners, who all arrived safely in Richmond. They also killed Denny Coleman, late surveyor of Buchanan County, in a fight at Round Bottom, near Ohio River, one of the vilest Union men and base-hearted traitors that have ever been arrayed against us.

The exploit above alluded to happened near Winfield, about twelve days since. Major Nonning was on a scout with a portion of the command, and entered Winfield about midnight, when he ascertained that the steamer Levi, bound for Charleston, lay on the opposite side of the river. Lieutenant Verdigan, with a solitary companion, was despatched across the river to reconnoitre, which was successfully accomplished, and the telegraphic communication with Charleston severed in front of a house, and in fall view of a woman residing therein. In about two hours Lieutenant Verdigan was reënforced by nine men, who had crossed the river under many difficulties, on account of the scarcity of water-craft. It was soon discovered that the enemy were on the alert, and were about to cut loose from the shore. Not a moment was to be lost. The Lieutenant gave the order, "Forward!" and immediately the gallant eleven double-quicked it to the boat, dashed aboard, up into the ladies' cabin, and found a sentinel at the door. Our men were soon in possession of the arms of General Scammon, two lieutenants, (his aids,) two other commissioned

officers, twenty-five privates, besides the boat, enemy had gone, leaving only a small force of crew, and freight. As fast as the arms were re-about two hundred sharp-shooters to annoy us ceived, they were thrown overboard, for fear an attempt would be made to recapture them, as soon as their small number was ascertained. The boat was immediately taken to the opposite side of the river, where Major Nonning and the balance of the command came aboard, when all parties steamed down the river about five miles. The prisoners were paroled that could not be safely brought off. General Scammon and his

SIR: Inclosed I send you a report of Lieuten-laging, etc. The Exchange was struck twice out ant Commander Owen, in relation to an expedi- but no one hurt. of four shots to-day in the first reconnoissance, One shot struck within two tion I sent up Yazoo River to cooperate with feet of the boilers, without doing any damage. General Sherman, (who is marching on Meridian,) and to confuse the enemy with regard to moveI am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. K. OWEN, ments on foot. It appears the troops did not consider themselves strong enough to land, and force the position. The vessels will work their way along cautiously until the water is high enough to send an iron-clad or two.

ed, as also all the cotton out of which it was built. We have succeeded, so far, in gathering about four hundred and fifty bales of cotton, of which eighty are on the gunboats, and the rest on the transports. Fifty-three bales are all of the C.S. A. that have been captured, though but very little of any is marked at all. When we leave here, it will be to go up the Little Schula, as far as the town of that name. Then we go down the river, fill up with coal, and ascend the Sunflower.

ed, as we had scarcely eaten the day before. The next morning, at day-break, the rebs commenced a vigorous attack on our pickets. We mounted, formed, and rode out to meet the enemy. Company E, commanded by Captain William J. Bodenhamer, (a gallant and brave officer,) was sent to the right to flank the enemy, and the rest of the command attacked them in the front. In the early part of the fight, we drove them back about two hundred yards, There has been no Union sentiment of any when the rebs, consisting heretofore of cavalry, moment or value expressed since our advent into were reënforced by a large force of infantry, these waters. On the Sunflower, however, we compelling us to fall back to our former posihave reason to believe it is prominent. This is tion. Here a fire was kept up for two hours, an insignificant place, containing about forty when orders were received to fall back, as the houses of all kinds, and entirely of frame build-enemy greatly outnumbered us, (estimated at ings. The inhabitants have mostly fled, leaving one thousand six hundred.) We heard that we a few poor Irish. It is a rendezvous for dry-goods were to be aided by forces sent up the river, merchants, who obtain large supplies from Mem- to attack them in the rear, and by troops from phis vid Friar's Point. We have met with no Helena, to attack them in that quarter. This young men as yet, all having been forced into fired the boys on, and made them fight with the army. The last military order of the rebels more vigor. Our wounded, among whom was is to remove or shoot all the negroes between the D. Edward M. Clark, of company A, (wounded ages of forty-five and sixteen. Some few negroes mortally,) were carried off the field to a neighhave already been shot by the rebel scouts. boring house, which was fitted up as a hospital, and the wounded placed in charge of Dr. Cook, contract surgeon at this post, who remained with them, and is now in the enemy's hands. Company I, commanded by Lieutenant F. J. McAdoo, and company L, covered the retreat, till the wounded were all moved from the field, and then joined the balance of the command. We were closely followed, and fought constantly, for about five miles. We then halted, and the ground being favorable, formed to receive the enemy, and while doing so, we discovered that they were about to make a flank movement to cut us off, compelling us again to take up our line of march. Here Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Lisenby left us, taking with him companies I and H, pursuing a different road, to protect a ford at a bayou, which we would have to cross, and which it was feared the enemy would take possession of The rest of the command proceeded further, under command of Major William J. Teed, making direct for the bayou, Colonel Lisenby arrived at the bayou, and waited some time for us, when he received information that Major Teed had been cut off by one hundred of the enemy, and to prevent being cut off also, the Coionel took a different road, swam Cache River, and proceeded directly to Duvall's Bluff, and arrived at the banks opposite this ON the morning of April twentieth, detach- place next day. Major Teed arrived at the ments of companies A, B, C, E, F, H, I, L, and bayou, and sent out scouts to find the Colonel, M of this regiment, about two hundred and fifty but these returned without having found him,. men, left this place under command of Lieuten- and so we proceeded unmolested, except by the ant-Colonel J. W. Lisenby, and arrived at Cot-rain, which poured down in torrents, and reach. ton Plant at ten o'clock next morning. Here weed Clarendon at eight o'clock P.M.; camped, and learned that two hundred guerrillas had left the waited for a boat to ferry us across White River.. town the day before. We resumed the march at eleven o'clock, and at dark halted and sent a small party to reconnoitre. Sergeant Major was informed that the rebs knew our designs, and had formed in line on both sides of the road. Upon this we marched back a mile, and cookVOL. VIII.-Doc. 32

I have been up the Tallahatchie as far as where the Star of the West is sunk, which is directly opposite the Fort, (Pemberton.) At the mouth of the Yallabusha the Ed. J. Gay is sunk, the decks being just above water. About one mile below, the Arcadia is sunk, with her upper-works out, and nearly filling the river at this stage of water. We found great difficulty in turning and coming down, the light upper-works suffering to some extent. The rebel steamer Sharpe was burnt a few days ago in the Yallabusha, to prevent her falling into our hands. As the river is falling quite rapidly, and with thirteen boats in the fleet, I think I shall drop down below the bars. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. K. OWEN, Lieutenant commanding Fifth District.

Rear-Admiral D. D. PORTER,

Commanding Mississippi Squadron.

Doc. 125.

FIGHT NEAR COTTON PLANT, ARK.

MISSOURI DEMOCRAT ACCOUNT.

DUVALL'S BLUFF, ARK.,

CAMP EIGHTH MISSOURI CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS,
April 25, 1864.

This arrived next day; ferried us across, and so we arrived here last night, much wearied, hungry, and exhausted, but content that it all happened in our three years. Upon arriving, we learned that parts of companies D, F, and G, altogether fifty, and parts of the Third Minne

sota and Sixty-first Illinois infantry, under com- are forts, with guns of heavy calibre, some of mand of Colonel Andrews, the latter having them of immense range. Sometimes the blockcome secretly from Little Rock, had left this ade-runners come down to the forts, out of place on Steamers Commercial and Raymond at range of our guns, of course, and lie there waitthe same time we did, and were to operate with ing an opportunity to slip out in a dark stormy us. They arrived at Augusta at daylight, on night, etc. Had we found one of them there, we the twentieth, here disembarked, and proceeded would have boarded, surprised, and worked her toward Cache River by different roads; the cav-out if possible. But to our expedition. alry taking one road and the infantry the other. It was not long before the cavalry, commanded | bert, the rebel General commanding this departby Captain J. H. Garrison, of company G, came upon the rebel Colonel Ponder, of the Ninth regiment Missouri Cavalry, C. S. A., who had been reconnoitring our forces. Upon seeing our cavalry, he endeavored to escape, but the boys gave chase, came upon him, and after firing a few shots at him, captured him, to. gether with a few more rebs, and took him to the main command. After this, they proceeded toward the Cache River, arriving there at three o'clock P.M. Advance-guard here fired into a rebel picket on the other side of the river, causing them to skedaddle. They then turned back, and met the infantry resting three miles from the river, who returned with them to the boat. On the way there, the advance-guard (cavalry) came upon a reb, who tried to escape them; they gave chase, and "Jonny Reb" was thrown from his "critter," and then surrendered. Upon being asked by Captain Garrison as to his occupation, he stated that he was a despatchbearer for the C. S. A., and drew forth a batch of despatches, among which were some announcing a victory of the rebs over Banks on Red River. The troops arrived at Augusta without further molestation. The next two days scouts were sent out, bringing in a great number of mules, horses, and contrabands, and at daylight of the twenty-fourth they left Augusta, and arrived here at two o'clock P.M.

Accompanying the infantry was Lieutenant Albert Potthoff, Post Quartermaster at Little Rock, who is greatly pleased with his lot of horses and mules. Officers and men behaved gallantly. The enemy's loss is not known, but is believed to be severe.

Doc. 126.

Our main object was to capture General Herment, and whose headquarters were at Smithville, a small village up the river, and inside all the forts. We supposed there were about three regiments of rebels at this place. It was a good dark night. With muffled oars, we passed the forts unseen, although we passed close to them. Orders were given in whispers, and the strictest silence was observed. Saw plenty of fires from salt-works, as we were pulling up the river. At last we passed Smithville, and returned to the village; could hear voices of workmen at the salt-works on the bank distinctly; pulled in; landed near a small landing-place, where was a sentry, whom we found to be fast asleep-we didn't disturb his dreams. To our surprise, on advancing from our boats, we found a sand-battery in our very front, not twenty yards from our boats. The Captain ordered four men to stay in the boats, while the balance, with the exception of our Captain, myself, another officer, and a coxswain, were left near the boats, with orders to hold on to them, in case we were discovered, to the last moment. Seeing a man at work at the beach near by, an officer and man were sent to secure him; they crept up on to him, put a revolver to his head, and brought him to us. On their return, they got another-both of them contrabands, and just what we wanted. The Captain clapped pistol to the head of one, and told him to lead us to General Herbert's headquarters, and point to us where the sentries were posted. He took the lead; we followed, four in all; passed close to a sentry, he was asleep, (every body sleeps here apparently ;) finally we arrived at the General's headquarters, and sat down under the edge of the verandah to "take our bearings," as Jack would say. It was a large house, with the verandah extending all around it. On the opposite side of the street was a long building, the bar

EXPEDITION UP THE NEUSE RIVER, N. C. racks, where a battalion of soldiers were quar

ACCOUNT BY A PARTICIPANT.

UNITED STATES STEAMER

OFF WILMINGTON, N. C., March 2, 1864.

tered. Learning from the "black" that the General's staff lived in the house with him, the Captain sent to the boat for four more On the evening of the twenty-ninth of Feb-men. Now we were eight, all told. The moon ruary, we started from our ship on an expedition; the Captain in his "gig," with a master's mate and twelve oars. I had command of the first cutter, also pulling twelve oars, with the Coxswain. We took with us an engineer and two firemen, and were, all told, twenty-five men and officers. The engineer and firemen accompanied us to take charge of and bring out a blockade-runner, in case we should meet any inside the forts. We are blockading at the mouth of the Neuse River. On each side of its mouth

was now up and shining brightly; we tried the front-door, found it unlocked, and walked in; opened the door on the left side of the hall, and commenced hunting the General, "or any other man" that we could find. Our guide didn't know which was the General's chamber, so we had to explore, with strict orders not to fire, unless to prevent capture, and then only to fire when obliged to retreat. We were armed to the teeth-drawn cutlasses, and revolver in left hand. Captain struck a match in first room,

saw at once it was their mess-room; then tried right-hand door, found it locked; sent two men to watch in the rear of the house.

a four-gun battery which lay very handy to that vicinity.

Next morning I went over in charge of a flagThe rest of the party kept watch, while the of-truce boat, to arrange affairs with the comCaptain and I went up the stairs. (How the mandant of Fort Caswell, (Colonel Jones,) so as dogs did bark over the way about this time!) to get the effects of Captain Kelley; landed on We went into an apartment on the landing, and the beach under guns of the Fort. Colonel Jones were lighting a match, when we heard the door and several of his officers were there to receive below slam violently, amid the crashing of glass. me. I introduced myself, and at once made I said: "6 Captain, there's a row below; we known the object of the flag of truce, etc. I was must fight or go to Richmond!" We rushed obliged to wait there until they could send to down stairs, (a pretty good load of excitement Smithville for Captain Kelley's clothes, etc., etc. on, as you may imagine;) coxswain told me a At first Colonel Jones was very reserved in his man had jumped out of the window, and was manner, and of course I was on my dignity as making off! I started to run back of the house well. I could see that they felt a good deal morto head him off, when I heard sounds of strug-tified at our success. At last Colonel Jones (by gling in another room back-went in, and found the by, he is from Virginia—was a captain in the Captain had a fellow by the arm-revolver the regular army when the war broke out) reclose to his head. "One word and you die!" marked: "Sir, you did a brave and gallant said our Captain. This prisoner was in his thing last night, and deserve great credit not drawers; two beds in the room, and one man only for the plan, but for the cool and daring had escaped. We asked prisoner if he was the manner in which it was executed. We know General. He replied, "No; the General went your object was to get our General, but, thank to Wilmington this morning;" that he was "Cap- God! he was gone," etc., etc. After this they betain Kelley, of the Engineer Corps, and on the came quite sociable. The Colonel said he much staff of the General;" that "the officer who had regretted he could not invite me into the Fort; escaped was Adjutant-General Hardeman," etc. but said he: "You have already seen more than Captain ordered him to dress himself without I wish you had." Refreshments were brought delay, and prepare to go with us. He (Captain on, and we had a very pleasant chat. AdjutantKelley) was terribly excited, and exclaimed: General Hardeman, who was there, (I told him I "What, you take me, surrounded by my own had his blanket, and the circumstances connecttroops! For God's sake, who are you!" Up went ed with my taking it,) laughingly said that any the pistol to his head, and on went his clothes- body who could think of being cold at such a quick was our play. He could not believe we time, etc., deserved an admiral's commission. were from the fleet outside. My feet were wet The Colonel said that the sleepy sentries would and cold; the sight of a fine red blanket on the be shot, and that some of the officers would be Adjutant-General's bed was too much for me; hauled over for negligence. He was surprised I took it as a memento and comforter. We ran when I told him how many there were of our Captain Kelley down to the boats, expecting every party. I told him "we were few but very semoment to hear the alarm, and to be surrounded lect," etc. or attacked: but luck was with us. We shoved off with our prisoners-(the Captain and two contrabands) -all right so far.

we

Doc. 127.

BATTLE AT PADUCAH, KY.

PADUCAH, March 29, 1864. THE smoke of the battle of Paducah has at length cleared away, and we may add another chapter to the history of the war of the rebellion-to us, of this city, the most eventful chap

Now to get by the forts. Kelley said never could do it-would be blown out of the water," etc. We pulled about twenty minutes down the river, when the enemy commenced making their night signals. Gracious! how the lights were flashing from all points, above and below us. Kelley understood these signals, of course; said they had telegraphed to the forts-ter written. "The enemy inside in boats." We pulled along slowly; just about this time the moon was obscured by a thick bank of clouds--now was our time. If ever I saw boats jump, 'twas then; every man knew his danger, but was cool. How grim old Fort Caswell loomed up as we passed her! We knew that a thousand eyes were watching the river for us; but, thank God! we got by undiscovered, and got on board our good ship by four o'clock A. M., all safe.

We were much disappointed at finding the General "not at home;" we would surely have had him. Had not the Adjutant-General escaped, we would have paid a quiet visit to several other houses in Smithville, and also intended to spike

On Thursday, the twenty-fourth instant, Union City, sixty-five miles distant, was attacked and surrendered to Colonel Faulkner, of the rebel army. The news speedily came to Paducah, with a note of warning to our commander to prepare for an attack.

Colonel Hicks having been apprised of the concentration of rebel forces south of here for some days previous, needed nothing to stimulate him to increased activity in the means of defence.

Rumor had a busy day playing on her "harp of a thousand strings" on Friday, the twentyfifth, till about two o'clock in the evening, when all of a sudden the presence of a large rebel force in the suburbs of our city was no longer a doubt