DOCUMENTS. Colonel Lamb surrendered with the garrison at I am, very respectfully, your obedient ser- Doc. 55. BLACK WATER RIVER EXPEDITION. } LIEUTENANT-COLONEL SPURLING'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS SECOND MAINE CAVALRY VETERAN VOLUNTEERS, BARRANCAS, FLORIDA, October 31, 1864. GENERAL: I have the honor to respectfully submit the following report: Pursuant to orders from Headquarters District of West Florida, I embarked, on the morning of the twenty-fifth of October, on steam transports at Barrancas, in charge of a force consisting of a detachment of the Second Maine veteran cavalry of one hundred men, one hundred dismounted of the First Florida cavalry, and a detachment of the Nineteenth Iowa infantry, Twenty-fifth, Eighty-second and Eighty-sixth United States colored infantry, and Company M, Captain Roberts, Second Maine cavalry, dismounted for battery purposes and in charge of two howitzers, the whole amounting, in the aggregate, to over seven hundred men. Captain Stearns, of the Eighty-second colored infantry, was placed in charge of one of the transports, Lizzie Davis, with two hundred infantry, with orders to proceed up the Black Water river, to land a force eight miles below Pierce's mill, and distant from Millton thirteen miles, to raft logs, which are numerous along the shore, and by other and all his actions, endeavor to draw the enemy upon the narrow point of land or peninsula formed by Escambia bay on the west, and East bay and Black Water river on the east. I proceeded with the other transport, the 28 eight miles below the mill. It soon became ap- On coming up with the Lizzie Davis Idirected The enemy's force consisted of a detachment Mississippi cavalry, and a small force of militia. of between seventy and eighty of the Eighth Having kept up the pursuit as long as it was prudent, my horses becoming exhausted, and it growing late in the day, I returned to Millton, and leaving the cavalry to hold the place, went back to the Planter, which I ordered to move up to a place called Bag Dad, less than two miles from Millton, and here secured quite a large amount of lumber, about eighty-five thousand feet. I despatched a courier to Major Mudgett, with orders for him to move his forces from the bayou to Pierce's mill, and hold himself in readiness to embark at that point on the following morning. On the following morning the pickets were taken in, and the Planter moved up the river to Millton, thus exploding, if not the torpedoes, the idea and belief that they are planted in the river to obstruct its passage by boats. Here REBELLION RECORD. 1862-65. several flat-boats were secured, and the ferry across the river completely demolished. Quite an amount of commissary and quartermaster's property was found, among which was about two hundred bushels of corn and meal, and considerable ham and beef, and since there was no means of transportation by which it could be got to the boat, it was destroyed. Considerable surplus ordnance, accoutrements, and horse equipments, were also destroyed; several horses and mules were captured. Having brought off or destroyed everything that could be of use to the enemy, and having accomplished all that circumstances could admit of, I returned to Barrancas with my whole force, where I arrived on the morning of the twenty-eighth. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. B. SPURLING, Doc. 56. EXPEDITION OF GENERAL GRIERSON. GENERAL DANA'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MISSISSIPPI, Lieutenant-Colonel C. T. Christensen, Assistant- I have the gratifying opportunity of reporting the result of another very successful expedition to the Major-General commanding. The cavalry expedition sent by me from this point against the Mobile and Ohio railroad has reached Vicksburg in safety and in good condition, with about five hundred and fifty prisoners, one thousand negroes, and eight hundred horses and mules. General Grierson has just arrived here, and his force will follow as fast as transportation can be procured. When his brigade commanders arrive and I receive his report, I will forward it to you. Meanwhile I give you the following outline of the work done: The expedition left here on the twenty-first of December, in wretched weather, and moved directly east, threatening Corinth. Detachments were sent out which cut the telegraph from Grand Junction to Corinth, and also cut it and destroyed four bridges between Booneville and Guntown, on the Mobile and Ohio road. The main column then moved rapidly on Tupelo, and on Christmas night surprised, captured, and dispersed Forrest's dismounted camp at Verona. Here they captured six officers and twenty men, destroyed two trains of sixteen cars each, loaded with new wagons, pontoons, supplies, &c., for Hood, burnt three hundred army wagons, most of which had been captured from Sturgis, destroyed four thousand new Engliah carbines .which were for Forrest's command, and large amounts of ordnance stores and ammunition, with quartermaster's stores and commissary stores for Hood's army. From Verona the command moved south along the line of the road, destroying it thoroughly to a point between Egypt and Prairie stations. At Okolono telegrams were taken from the wires from Lieutenant-General Taylor and MajorGeneral Gardner, ordering Egypt to be held at all hazards, and promising reinforcements from Mobile and other points. On the morning of the twenty-eighth the enemy was attacked at Egypt. General Grierson reports them about twelve hundred strong, with infantry, cavalry, and four guns on platform cars. Two trains loaded with infantry, under Gardner, were in sight when the attack was made. A force was thrown between them and the garrison, and Gardner had the mortification to see his friends dispersed after a fight of two hours, and the stockade carried by assault, and its defenders, to the amount of about five hundred, captured. The rebel Brigadier Gholson was among the killed. Another train of fourteen cars was destroyed here. The command was now incumbered with so many prisoners and animals that, with the hostile force in front, it was useless to think longer of going to Cahaba. south-west, through Houston and Bellefontaine, Accordingly the column turned west and to the Mississippi Central railroad, striking it at Winona. A detachment was sent to Bankston, which destroyed the large and valuable factories which worked five hundred hands to supply Large quantities of wool, cloth and leather the rebel army with cloth, clothing, and shoes. were destroyed. A detachment was sent to Grenada, which destroyed the new machineshops and all public property in the place. A brigade was sent south from Grenada, under telegraph for thirty-five miles, and then met a Colonel Osband, which destroyed the road and brigade of the enemy under Wirt Adams at Franklin; charged and drove them from the field, leaving twenty-five of their dead on the ground. of January. including a large number of bridges, telegraph, sults to the enemy, is second, in importance, to I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION WEST MISSISSIPPI, Į SIR: Your communication of the eighth instant, giving a detailed account of the highly successful expedition led by Brigadier-General Grierson, and which resulted in the complete interruption of the enemy's communications by the Mobile and Ohio and the Mississippi Central railroads, has been received. The Major-General commanding desires to express to you his gratification at this glorious, and, I might say, almost unexpected success. The expedition was planned and started under very great disadvantages, and with anything but promising prospects; and but for the high degree of skill, bravery and good conduct, which was evinced throughout, such magnificent results could never have been accomplished. He desires me to convey to you, and through you to the officers and men composing this expedition, his warmest congratulations and thanks. We all feel that such blows are indeed deathblows to the rebellion. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient Commanding Department of Mississippi. GENERAL GRIERSON'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF MISSIS- Memphis and Charleston railroad, threatening From Early Grove the Tenth Missouri cavalry, under Captain F. K. Neet, was sent to La Grange and Grand Junction, and destroyed the telegraph and stations at those points, rejoining the column near Salem. From Ripley a detachment of one hundred and fifty men of the Second New Jersey, under Major Van Rensselaer, was sent to destroy the Mobile and Ohio railroad and the telegraph at or near Boonville. At the same time the Fourth Illinois, under Captain A. F. Search, was sent to destroy the same road near Guntown. These detachments rejoined the main column, one at Ellistown, the other at Shannon's station, having destroyed four bridges, eight or ten culverts, several miles of the track and telegraph, and a large quantity of army supplies. With the main column I moved on Tupelo. Upon arriving at Old Town creek, five miles ser-north of Tupelo, hearing of the existence of a rebel camp and large quantity of army stores at Verona, I ordered Colonel Karge to leave his pack train and proceed rapidly toward that point, and if his information would justify it, to make a night attack upon the place. Our movements thus far had been rapid, and the indications were that the enemy had no knowledge of our presence, as our appearance was a complete surprise to citizens on the line of march. COLONEL: In obedience to instructions from the Major-General commanding, I ordered Colonel James Karge, commanding First brigade cavalry division, to proceed, on the nineteenth of December, north-east from this point; cross Wolf river at Raleigh, demonstrate strongly toward the crossing of the Hatchie at Bolivar and Estenola; thence swinging south, destroy the telegraph between Grand Junction and Corinth, and join the main column, which was to move the following day at or near Ripley. Owing to heavy rains for several days, the roads were almost impassable, and, as a crossing of Wolf river could not be effected, Colonel Karge re-plies, to the army of General Hood. The burstturned to Memphis. When within two miles of Verona Colonel Karge struck the enemy's pickets. Notwithstanding the darkness of the night, his advance regiment, the Seventh Indiana, charged into the camp, dispersing the garrison, and destroying two trains, thirty-two cars, and eight warehouses filled with ordnance, commissary and quartermasters' stores; also two hundred army wagons, most of which were marked U. S., having been captured from General Sturgis in June last, and which were about being sent, loaded with sup ing of shells which were contained in this immense depot continued until afternoon of the next day. On the morning of December twenty-one I moved with the effective force of my command, consisting of detachments of the Second New Colonel Karge fell back five miles to HarrisJersey, Seventh Indiana, First Mississippi rifles, burg, and encamped with the balance of my Fourth and Tenth Wisconsin, Third and Fourth command on the same night. I encamped be Iowa, Second Wisconsin, Fourth and Eleventh tween Old Town creek and Tupelo, From this Illinois, and Third United States colored cavalry, point I sent the Eleventh Illinois, Lieutenantin all about three thousand five hundred men, Colonel Otto Funk, commanding, with the pioorganized into three brigades, and commanded neer corps, to destroy the extensive railroad respectively by Colonels Karge, Winslow, and bridge over Old Town creek, and the track beOsband; also, company E, Second Iowa cavalry, tween that point and Tupelo. The night was numbering forty men, Lieutenant A. Sherer, very dark and rainy, notwithstanding which commanding, as provost-guard and escort, and Lieutenant-Colonel Funk and his command rea pioneer corps of fifty negroes, commanded by sponded to my orders with alacrity, and before Lieutenant Luvis, of the Seventh Indiana cav-morning had rendered the railroad from Old alry, without artillery or wagons, and with twenty days' light rations carried on packmules. The whole command moved east, along the Town creek to Tupelo a complete wreck. From this point I moved my entire command south along the railroad, destroying thoroughly to a point between Egypt and Prairie station, about five hundred strong, under Colonel Woods, in which the enemy were defeated, with a reported loss of fifty killed and wounded. I reached Vicksburg with my entire command in good condition, with about six hundred prisoners, eight hundred head of captured stock, and one thousand negroes, who joined the column during the march. For particulars I refer you to the report of the brigade commanders herewith enclosed. The average distance marched was four hun fifty-six miles from Boonville, where it was first highly successful; Colonel Osband met and enstruck. The enemy had concentrated a consid-gaged a detachment of Wirt Adams' command, erable force at Okolono, which, upon our approach, fell back to Egypt. Having tapped the wire at Okolono and intercepted despatches from Lieutenant-General Taylor and others, indicating that reinforcements would be sent from Mobile and other points, and learning from deserters who came in on the night of the twentyseventh, that the reinforcements would not be likely to arrive before eleven o'clock A. M. the next day, I accordingly, on the morning of the twenty-eighth, attacked the enemy, variously estimated at from twelve hundred to two thou-dred and fifty miles. sand strong, consisting of cavalry, infantry, and one battery of four guns on platform cars, at Egypt. While the fight was in progress two trains with reinforcements, said to be under command of General Gardner, came in sight, but I threw a force between them and Egypt, which succeeded in capturing a train of cars, tearing up the track two and a half miles south of that point, and engaged the trains with reinforcements, preventing them from joining the garrison at Egypt. After an engagement of two hours, we killed, captured, and dispersed the enemy. Among the rebel killed were Brigadier-General Gholson and several other officers. Having secured about five hundred prisoners, cared for the dead and wounded, and destroyed all government property, I moved due west to Houston, crossing the Sookatanuchie and Houlka rivers, to both of which streams I sent detachments in advance to secure the bridges. Here the Second Wisconsin, Major Woods commanding, was detailed to take charge of the prisoners; and the officers and men of this regiment deserve much praise for the cheerfulness with which they performed this arduous duty during the balance of the march. From Houston demonstrations were made to the north toward Pontotoc, and south-east toward West Point, while the column moved south-west via Bellefontaine to the Mississippi Central road, striking it at Winona. From Bellefontaine a demonstration was made southeast toward Starksville, threatening again the Mobile and Ohio railroad. At the same time a detachment of one hundred and twenty men of the Fourth Iowa, under Captain Beckwith, was sent south via Greenboro to Bankston, to destroy large cloth and shoe factories at that point, which employed five hundred hands for the manufacture of those articles of prime necessity to the army. From Winona Colonel Noble, with detachment of three hundred men of Colonel Winslow's brigade, was sent north to destroy the railroad and all government property between that point and Grenada. Colonel Osband's brigade was sent south on the line of the railroad to destroy it as far as practicable. With the main column I moved south-west, via Lexington and Benton, to Vicksburg. At Benton Colonels Osband and Noble rejoined us, having been The entire loss in the command during the expedition was four officers and twenty-three enlisted men killed, four officers and eighty-nine enlisted men wounded, and seven enlisted men missing. The destruction of property may be summed up as follows: Twenty-thousand feet of bridges and trestlework cut down and burned. Ten miles of track, (rails bent and ties burned.) Twenty miles of telegraph, (poles cut down and wires destroyed.) Four serviceable locomotives and tenders, and ten in process of repair. Ninety-five railroad cars. Over three hundred army wagons and two caissons. Thirty warehouses filled with commissary, quartermasters' and ordnance stores. Large cloth and shoe factory, employing five hundred hands. Several tanneries and machine shops. Five thousand stand of new arms. Five hundred bales of cotton, marked C. S. A. Immense amount of grain, leather, wool, and other government property, the value and quantity of which cannot be estimated. Over one hundred of the prisoners captured at Egypt formerly belonged to our army, and were recruited from Southern prisons into the rebel service, and most of whom, I believe, were induced to join their ranks from a desire to escape a loathsome confinement. I commend them to the leniency of the government. I take pleasure in bearing testimony to the uniform good conduct of the officers and men of my command, and desire to express my thanks to Colonels Karge, Winslow and Osband, for their cheerful support. I also take occasion to make honorable mention of Major M. H. Williams and Captain S. L. Woodward of my staff, for their untiring energy and gallantry in the discharge of their duties. This, one of the most successful expeditions of the war, undertaken as it was, at a period when roads and streams were considered almost impassable, could not have met with such extraordinary success without the patient DOCUMENTS. Doc. 57. JAMES RIVER EXPEDITION. UNITED STATES STEAMER ONONDAGA, We have this day seen the beginning of the spring campaign. The strong arm of the government is again extended toward the heart of the Confederacy, and we trust-how earnestlythat it may not fail to gain the prize which seems almost within its grasp. The iron-clad fleet which has been gathered near the mouth of this river has found another, if not a safer, anchorage. Until yesterday, we were not aware that the movement of the fleet in this matter would be made so soon. During the day, yesterday, the fourth instant, a number of new steamers, of the class familiarly called "double-enders," came up from Hampton Roads, and joined the fleet which has for a few days been at anchor off Newport News, and which consisted of the iron-clads Roanoke, Onondaga, two turrets; Canonicus, Tecumseh and Saugus, one turret each, and the Atlanta; of double-enders, the Mackinaw and Eutaw; of gunboats, the Dawn, Osceola, Commodore Jones, Stepping Stone, and a large number of powerful armed tugs. Besides these there were steamboats armed as army transports, of all sizes, shapes, colors and models. In the evening the broad river off Newport News Point was filled with the different vessels, so that it was difficult for the iron-clads to manoeuvre among them, as they were obliged to do to take their allotted places in the line which had been planned for the movement in the morning. During the afternoon Admiral Lee transferred his flag from the steam frigate Minnesota, his former flag-ship, to the fine steamer Malvern, formerly the blockade-runner Ella and Annie, and came up into the fleet and took command. During the afternoon and evening all were busy in completing the plans for the work of the coming day. It was ordered that all vessels should be ready to move this morning at four o'clock. The morning came, and in the dim twilight the vessels got under way slowly, quietly moving from the stations they had occupied during the night. It was five o'clock before the column was passed, and then the movement of the strange-looking line began. The morning was unusually fine, the atmosphere was soft and refreshing, the river was without a ripple, and nature seemed strangely in contrast with the mission upon which we had set out. Scarcely any of our rivers afford more 66 Up a few miles further, and we are in view of the advance vessels of the fleet, prominent among which is the flag-ship. Below us immediately is the remainder of the iron-clad fleet, and further below, even until they are lost in the river bend, are ocean and river steamers, side-wheels and propellers, barges, canal-boats, and sailing vessels, long lines of them, crowded even in shrouds and at mast-heads, with soldiers, whose bright belt-plates and bayonets glisten in the sun. clean Through our glasses we look up the river again, and see our advance vessels off the long pier at Harrison's landing, and away beyond on a distant hill, between two high tree-tops, the |