| From the Memphis Appeal |
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| April 27, 1863 |
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| The Raid Through Mississippi -- Additional
Particulars |
| From various sources we have
particulars of the enemy's movements from the north line of
Mississippi, through the eastern portion of the State almost to the
Louisiana line. The route chosen for this daring dash was through the
line of counties lying between the Mobile & Ohio and New Orleans,
Jackson & Great Northern railroads, in which, as they anticipated,
there was no organized forces to oppose them. The penetration of an
enemy's country, however, so extensively, will be recorded as one of
the gallant feats of the war, no matter whether the actors escape or
are captured. The expedition, we learn, was under the command of Col.
Grierson, of Illinois, who has already acquired considerable
reputation as a dashing leader in West Tennessee. He boasted that he
had no fears of his ability to extricate his command from the
dangerous position it seemed to be in, but gave no indication as to
the route he should take to get out of the country. Enterprise was
declared to be the next point he should advance upon after leaving
Newton, and the movement was expeditiously made, with what result we
have already stated. He found a warmer reception awaiting him than was
expected, and at once turned westward. Leaving Enterprise about noon
on Saturday, the force took the road to Raleigh. After crossing Leaf
river, the bridges behind them were burned. Last night, it appears to
be authentically reported, they caped near Westville, in the southern
part of Simpson county. Whether they will move thence to Natchez, via
Gallatin, or to Baton Rouge, via Monticello and Homesville, can only
be conjectured; but we still incline to the opinion to confidently
expressed some days ago, on first being advised of their presence at
Newton, that Baton Rouge will be their haven, if undisturbed. The
crossing of Pearl river is the only natural difficulty they will
encounter, and as we have no doubt they are advised as to the
facilities they can accrue at the different prominent points, we
presume they will act accordingly. Monticello and Holmesville may
expect a visit. |
| The best information, as to
the strength of the party, puts it at eight hundred. They were well
mounted, having abandoned all their broken down horses and seized
fresh ones as they were found on the route. They were unencumbered by
artillery or baggage, and admirably fitted out for a flying
expedition, such as they appeared to be on. But, notwithstanding their
facilities for escaping, we anticipate their discomfiture, beyond
doubt. If they escape the preparations made to intercept them, we
shall be very much disappointed indeed. |
| The damage to the Southern {(of
Mississippi)} railroad extends over a distance of four and a
half miles, commencing a mile west of Newton, running east. Two
bridges, each about one hundred and fifty feet long, seven culverts
and one cattle gap, constitute the track-injury done. Most of the
culverts are small, and easily repaired. An experienced gentleman
informs us that proper energy will again place the road in working
order in four days or less. Twenty freight cars were burned at Newton,
and the depot buildings and two commissary buildings. The telegraph
wire was taken down five miles, and cut in pieces; and in many
instances the wire rolled up and thrown into the ditches and pools.
But few poles were destroyed. We can hear of but little outrage having
been committed upon the persons of non-combatants or their property
except by the seizure of every good horse, and of necessary forage and
provisions. They had to depend on the country entirely for these. One
engine at Newton was somewhat injured by their attempting to blow it
up. A like attempt was made on the other -- the James P. Wood -- but
it failed, when the tender was turned over and broken up, and the
engine started down the road under a full head of steam and ran off an
embankment at a break in the road. The railroad agent and an ordnance
officer on one of the trains were captured and paroled. |
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