| From the Columbus (Ga.) Times |
| |
| January 4, 1865 |
| |
| From Up the Road |
| The passenger train on the
Mobile & Ohio Rail Road, due yesterday morning, arrived about 9 1/2
o'clock last night, it being the first train of any sort down the road
since Tuesday morning. We have by this train the following interesting
intelligence: |
| The Yankee raiders who were
reported at Vernon on Monday, proceeded thence down the road to Okalona,
burning and otherwise destroying as they went. They entered Okalona on
Tuesday about 10 o'clock, a. m., burned that town, as is supposed, and
came on down to Egypt, where it appears they met the first organized
resistance. |
| The train that left there
Wednesday morning reports that the fight was progressing. It commenced
at 7 o'clock. The result is not known, but our forces were at the time
inferior to the enemy, and a portion of them had no ammunition. Indeed,
it is said that the enemy by some means found out this fact, and hence
their attack. A part of the Irish regiment lately mustered into
Confederate service was in the fight, and it is said fought with great
persistency and gallantry. A report says, we hope untruly, that a
portion of these men were surrounded and captured by the enemy. |
| A train loaded with troops,
some of them veterans, was stopped by one of those mysterious orders
whose wisdom is not easily perceived, at a point some eighteen miles
from the fight, from 8 o'clock Tuesday night to 2 o'clock next morning.
Had the train proceeded on Tuesday night, it is said that the additional
force it conveyed could have made victory certain at Egypt, and saved a
great deal of valuable property. |
| The down train, which was
heavily laden, was attacked by the enemy, and it was necessary to
uncouple a portion of it to save the remainder. |
| Five passenger cars, one mail
car and four box cars fell into the enemy's hands, and were immediately
fired. |
| This raiding party is reported
to have come out from Memphis, and is variously estimated from 1,200 to
2,000 strong. They are all mounted, have no wagons or artillery, and it
is believed the injury to the road is confined to burning depots, cross
ties, trestle work, &c. |
| The raiders, at last accounts,
threatened West Point, were Taylor was collecting a considerable force
-- cavalry and infantry -- and if they come to a fight, the enemy should
be well whipped. The probability is, however, that they came out to
destroy communication with Corinth, and having accomplished this they
will return as rapidly as possible. |
| Mobil Register, 30th |
|