| From the Vicksburg Whig |
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| April 28, 1863 |
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| The Raid on the Southern {(of
Mississippi)} Rail Road |
| On Friday morning at 7:00 o'clock, Three
or Four hundred Yankee cavalry suddenly dashed into Newton Station, on
the Southern Rail Road, 30 miles West of Meridian, being no doubt,
guided by those thoroughly acquainted with the country, and posted as
to the arrival of the Trains. They caught Two trains meeting each
other at that point on schedule time. One a Freight Train going East,
and the other a Cross-Tie Train going West. They quickly burned 2 cars
and demolished the Two engines as effectually as they could. Next they
tore up a mile or Two of the track and burned Ten or Twelve small
trestles and culverts, both East and West of Newton. They expected the
Passenger Train which was due at Newton a little after 10:00 A. M.,
but by luck they did not enjoy that pleasure. A little boy seeing what
had happened, ran to tell his father, the Section Master, who took a
Hand Car and hurried to meet the Passenger Train, to warn it of the
danger. The Train was stopped at Hickory, together with Two other
Trains that were Following. One of them a Soldiers' Train, and
sent back safely to Meridian. Can it be possible that these insolent
marauders will be allowed thus to pollute our soil with impunity? Let
every man in this region of the State that can mount a horse and fire
a gun join the pursuit, and the vandals that they shall not leave the
State without receiving a severe chastisement for their bold attempt
to destroy our property and dishonor our State. If they are permitted
to get back alive and boast of their success, we may look out for more
serious invasions with consequences that propriety and decency forbid
the mention of. Le the War Cry go forth. They have played the farce.
Let us perform the tragedy. The Yankees, after leaving Newton Station,
went to Enterprise, and with al the pomp and circumstance of War,
demanded an immediate surrender of the place. Fortunately for the
citizens of that place, General Loring with a body of Troops reached
there, and as soon as that was ascertained, the Yanks took to their
heels, and the last heard from them they were threatening an attack on
Lake, Forest, Morton and Brandon. A passenger on yesterday's Train
reports that the guide who piloted the Yankees was caught by our
people. His name is Hammond, and he will be dealt with by General
Adams. |
| We refrained from mentioning the raid in
our last issue, for prudent reasons, but as it has been published
elsewhere we presume there is no use in keeping the news out of our
columns any longer. |
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