move eastwardly, and thence southwardly, to cross the Tallahatchie some five miles above New-Albany, with a view of rejoining the brigade some five or six miles below New-Albany, which Colonel Hatch accomplished the following day with good success. On this day, the eighteenth, the advance of the Seventh Illinois captured four prisoners-two of Barteau's and two of Wetherall's command. On the morning of the nineteenth two companies were sent, under command of Captain Trafton, back to the Tallahatchie, and he drove a force out of New-Albany, and joined the command at ten A. M. Colonel Prince also sent two companies to the right, to look after Captain Wetherall's company of cavalry, but the latter had retired during the night. This detachment, however, captured three prisoners from Major Chalmers's command, and destroyed some camp and garrison equipage. Two companies were also sent to the left, to look after some horses said to be hid in the woods; and they returned at ten o'clock with very good success. The command left camp at ten o'clock, and passed through Pontotoc at four o'clock P.M. They encamped on the estate of Mr. Wetherall, eight miles south of Pontotoc. The distance marched on the eighteenth and nineteenth was about sixty miles. On the nineteenth the Sixth Illinois marched in advance, and at Pontotoc killed a rebel who persistently continued to fire upon the advance. His name was Reno. 20th. They left camp at four o'clock a.m. Sixty men and a number of led horses, in charge of Lieutenant Wilt, were sent back to La Grange. About the same number were sent back from the other regiments; all under command of Major Love, of the Second Iowa. They encamped at Clear Springs, Mississippi, having passed around Houston-the Second Iowa in advance. The distance marched was about forty miles. 21st. They left camp at daylight, the Seventh Illinois in advance. Colonel Hatch and the Second Iowa turned eastward from Clear Springs, with orders to proceed toward Columbus and destroy the Mobile and Ohio Railroad as much as possible. The gallant Colonel has unfortunately not been heard of since, except through the Memphis Appeal, which says that near Okolona he was met by a large confederate force, was himself seriously wounded and lost fifteen men. The remainder, it is to be hoped, got safely back to La Grange. It rained all day on the twenty-first. The two Illinois regiments passed through Starkville, and camped eight miles south of that place. Distance travelled this day, forty-five miles. 22d. They marched at daylight. Captain Forbes, of company C, Seventh Illinois, was detached ten miles south of Starkville, to proceed to Macon, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, to break up the rails, destroy the wires, and do all the damage in his power to the enemy's transportation. From the time the command left Starkville, Colonels Grierson and Prince, in consultation, felt thoroughly convinced that it was of the utmost importance that the railroad-or, at all events, the telegraph-should be interrupted between Okolona and Macon, as near Macon as possible; and two volunteer scouts, (private Post, of the Second Iowa, and private Parker, of the Sixth Illinois,) who had offered to do the work, backed out at last from the perilous undertaking. Believing it to be very important that a feint should be made toward Macon, and no one appearing willing to do it, Colonel Prince-soon after starting on this morning of April twentysecond-offered the work to Captain Forbes, of company B, Seventh Illinois. Captain Forbes, whose command numbered only thirty-five men and officers, gladly accepted it, though knowing that, in order to rejoin his regiment, he would have to repulse any force which might be following, and march at least fifty miles further than the rest of the command; besides running great risk of being captured, as it was not known what force might be at Macon, nor what force might be following. He was instructed that if a force should be at Macon, he was to try and cross the Okanoxubee River, and move toward Decatur, in Newton County, by the shortest route. The gallant Captain proceeded on his perilous journey, and his Colonel says he feared he would never see him again; although he knew that he would accomplish all that could be done by human bravery and prudence. Before marching this day, (the twenty-second,) Captain Graham, with one battalion, was detailed to burn a confederate shoe-manufactory near Starkville. He succeeded in destroying several thousand pairs of boots and shoes, also hats and a large quantity of leather; besides capturing a quartermaster from Port Hudson, who was getting supplies for his regiment. The two regiments-the Sixth Illinois in advance-passed through the little village of Louisville at halfpast seven P.M., and camped ten miles below the latter place at one o'clock A.M., of the twentythird. The distance marched this day was fiftyseven miles, over the most terrible roads that can be imagined. The march of the twenty-second was terrible, because the swamps of the Okanoxubee river were overflowed. After moving four miles south of Louisville, they marched a distance of eight miles through a swamp. On each side of the road were enormous trees, and the water was, everywhere, from three to four feet deep; with every few hundred yards, a mire-hole in which frequently, for a few moments, man and horse were lost to view. The Seventh Illinois being in the rear, found these holes almost impassable, from the action of the large body of cavalry which had preceded them, and they were compelled to leave drowned some twenty noble animals, whose strength was not equal to such an emergency. The men so dismounted removed their saddles, placed them on some other led beasts, and pushed onward cheerfully. 23d. They broke camp at seven o'clock A.M., crossed the Pearl River at half-past four P.M., and took refreshments at Squire Payne's. selves and the news about them was flying in all directions, it was a matter of life and death that Pearl River should be crossed, and the New-Orleans and Jackson Railroad reached without any delay whatever. He therefore obtained permission from Colonel Grierson to move directly forward with two hundred picked men of his regiment, to secure the ferry across Pearl River be distance to the river was thirteen miles, and from there to Hazlehurst's Station was twelve miles. The remainder of the two regiments were to come forward as soon as they were sufficiently rested. A glance at the map will show the importance of Pearl River. Knowing it to be quite high from heavy rains, and aware also that as rebel scouts had preceded them, it was of the utmost consequence to secure Pearl River bridge, Colonel Prince, who was in advance with the Seventh Il-fore the enemy should be able to destroy it. The linois, pushed forward with energy, and, by very fast riding, succeeded in getting to the bridge and driving away a picket, before they had time to tear up more than a few planks, which were replaced in a few minutes. The gallant Colonel devoutly speaks of this as one of the many instances in which a divine Providence seemed to be shielding them, during their whole perilous journey; for the destruction of this bridge would have been, in all probability, fatal to the whole expedition. Colonel Prince started with the two hundred at one A.M., and reached the bank of the river before daylight, when contrary to his information, the flat-boat was upon the opposite side of the river. Not daring to call out, he spoke to a volunteer, who, with a powerful horse, undertook to swim the river; but the rapidity of the swollen stream carried him below the landing, where there was a quicksand, and he barely returned to shore with his life. At ten o'clock P.M. Colonel Blackburn, of the Seventh Illinois, was sent forward with two hundred men to Decatur, which place he passed through at four A.M., (of the twenty-fourth,) and captured two trains of cars and two locomotives A few moments later a man came down from at Newton Station, at seven o'clock. The rest of the house toward the river, and, in true Norththe command arrived at nine o'clock. The bridges Carolina accent, asked, in a careless way, if we and trestles were found burned six miles each wanted to cross; to which he got a reply-in a side of the station, seventy-five prisoners captured very capital imitation of his twang-that a few and paroled, two warehouses full of commissary of them did want to go across, and that it seemed stores utterly destroyed by fire, and also four harder to wake up his nigger ferryman than to car-loads of ammunition, mostly for heavy artil- catch the d-d conscripts. The proprietor took the lery. The bridges, etc., on the east side of the bait, apologized for the detention and woke up station were destroyed by the Second battalion his ferryman, who immediately brought over the of the Sixth Illinois, under Major M. H. Starr. boat, which thenceforward became the property The whole command left Newton at eleven A.M. of Uncle Sam-the proprietor all the while beof the twenty-fourth, and marched through Gar- lieving he was lavishing his attentions on the landville to the plantation of Mr. Bender, about First regiment of Alabama cavalry, fresh from twelve miles from Newton, where they encamped. Mobile! The breakfast given to the Alabama The distance traversed on the twenty-third and Colonel that morning was highly relished and aptwenty-fourth was eighty miles, and all this with-preciated, but too much time was not spent over out scarcely halting. 25th. They left camp at Bender's at eight A.M., and encamped for the night on Dr. Dore's plantation, eight miles east of Raleigh. It was at this place they were unhappily compelled to leave two or three soldiers, who were unable to travel further. The distance marched this day was about twenty miles. 26th. They left camp at sunrise, passed through Raleigh at eight o'clock A.M., crossed Strong River, near Westville, and fed at Mrs. Smith's plantation, near Strong River bridge. The distance marched was forty-one miles. 27th.-Colonel Prince left Mrs. Smith's with two hundred men at one A.M., and arrived at the Georgetown Ferry at daylight. The rest of the command came up and crossed during the day. Colonel Prince immediately proceeded with two hundred men to Hazlehurst, cut the telegraph wires, destroyed a number of cars, four of them loaded with ammunition. it, and the importance of speed was clearly proved, only half an hour afterward, when they caught a courier flying to the ferry with the news that the Yankees were coming, and that all the ferries were to be immediately destroyed. At Hazlehurst Station, Colonel Prince succeeded in capturing a large number of cars, four or five being loaded with shell and ammunition, and others with army stores. The whole of this property was utterly destroyed. And here comes one of the most amusing episodes of the whole affair. Captain Forbes, who, it will be remembered, had been sent to Macon, from near Starkville, rejoined the command just as they had all crossed Pearl River. Having been unable to take Macon, he followed their trail to Newton, where he was informed that they had gone to Enterprise, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. He followed on to that place, and marched with his little squad into town, where he found about three thousand rebel troops just Although Colonel Prince had marched his reg-getting off the cars. He promptly raised a flag iment forty-one miles during a large portion of of truce, and boldly rode forward, demanding the the time through drenching rain-he firmly be- surrender of the place, in the name of Colonel ieved that, as the citizens were arming them- Grierson. this rebellion. They marched twenty-five miles this day. The commanding rebel officer-Colonel Goodwin, asked one hour to consider the proposition, and wished to know where Captain Forbes would be at that time. The Captain answered that he would go back with the reply to the reservewhich he did pretty rapidly, after having shrewdly ascertained the strength of the enemy. It is not known whether Enterprise ever surrendered or not, or whether the rebel Colonel is still trying to find the "reserve" to make his penitent bow, but one thing certain is that Captain Forbes, with his little squad of thirty-five men, did not intend to take those three thousand rebels prisoners-ceeding in a south-westerly direction through the that time at least-and was laughing in his sleeve many miles off while those Enterprise-ing people were trembling in their boots-id est, if, at the present fabulous price of leather, they had any boots to tremble in. The Sixth and Seventh Illinois, under command of Colonel Grierson, left Hazlehurst at seven P.M., (the Sixth Illinois in advance,) passed through Gallatin and encamped near that place. A thirty-two pounder rifled Parrott gun, with one thousand four hundred pounds of powder, was here captured, en route to Grand Gulf. The distance travelled this day was thirty-seven miles. 28th. They left camp at seven o'clock. At Hardgrove's, companies A, H, F, and M, were detailed, under command of Captain Trafton, to proceed to Bahala and destroy the railroad and transportation. The Sixth Illinois had a skirmish with some rebel cavalry, near Union Church, in which two of the enemy were wounded, and some prisoners taken. They camped at Union Church. Distance marched that day thirty miles. They left camp at sunrise. Captain Trafton's battalion had come in at four A.M., having travelled some thirty miles more than the rest of the command, and having had several skirmishes, in which, without any loss, they captured about thirty prisoners. Again directing their course toward the New-Orleans and Jackson Railroad, at Brookhaven, the Seventh Illinois, in advance, charged into the place, burned depot, cars, bridges, etc., and captured and paroled two hundred and one prisoners. They encamped six miles south-west of the town. The people were much terrified by the idea that the whole town would be burned, but when they found all private property perfectly undisturbed, they seemed to entertain a very different opinion of the Yankees to what they did only a few hours previously. This diffusion of light and truth is, in reality, the vital point in which our advancing armies are striking down 30th. They left camp at sunrise, the Sixth Il linois in advance. They burned the depot, bridges, and cars in the railroad at Bogue Chito; left that place at ten A.M., burning all bridges and trestles between there and Summit, where they arrived at five P.M., and again burnt several cars and a large amount of government property in the last locality. They encamped south-west of Summit, after marching over a distance of twenty-eight miles. May 1st. They left camp at daylight, and prowoods-without regard to roads-came into the Clinton and Osyka road, near a bridge four miles north-east of Wall's Post-office. About eighty of the enemy were lying in ambush near the bridge. Lieutenant-Colonel Blackburn, unfortunately with more bravery than discretion, proceeded across the bridge at the head of the scouts and of company G, Seventh Illinois. He was seriously wounded in the thigh, and slightly in the head. Colonel Prince immediately caused his men to dismount, to skirmish the enemy out of the bushes, and, with the assistance of Captain Smith's battery, soon put them to flight. This affair at the bridge detained the column but a few minutes. They marched all night; and crossed the Amite River about ten o'clock P.M., without opposition-the picket being asleep. They had marched forty miles this day. May 2d. They marched again early in the morning, and the Sixth Illinois, being in advance, surprised and burned a rebel camp at Sandy Creek Bridge. At this point the Seventh Illinois was ordered in advance, and, at about nine o'clock A.M., as a crowning glory to this most extraordinary series of adventures, captured forty-two of Stewart's Mississippi cavalry on Comite River, including their Colonel. This noble band of toil-worn heroes arrived at Baton Rouge about noon of May second, where their triumphal entry created a furore of joyful excitement that will not cease till it has thrilled every loyal heart upon this continent-ay, every heart that loves liberty and human bravery, through the civilized world. Some idea of the pluck and endurance of these men can be gleaned from the fact that during the last thirty hours-in which they had ridden eighty miles, fought two or three skirmishes, destroyed bridges, camps, equipages, etc.; swam a river and captured forty-two prisoners and quantities of horses-they had scarcely halted at all, and went through these terrific exertions without food for man or beast! During the last night it was observed that nearly the entire columnworn out almost beyond human endurance-were fast asleep upon horseback; except when the sharp report of a carbine told of the nearness of the enemy. And all this was rendered without one word of murmur or complaint from any lip, either of officers or privates. Doc. 171. OPERATIONS ON THE OPELOUSAS. GENERAL BANKS'S OFFICIAL REPORT. HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Į GENERAL: On the evening of the seventeenth, General Grover, who had marched from New-Iberia by a shorter road, and thus gained the advance, met the enemy at Bayou Vermilion. The enemy's force consisted of a considerable number of cavalry, one thousand infantry and six pieces of artillery, masked in a strong position on the opposite bank, with which we were unacquainted. The enemy was driven from his position, but not until he had succeeded in destroying the bridge over the bayou by fire. Every thing had been previously arranged for this purpose. The enemy's flight was precipitous. The night of the seventeenth and the whole of the next day were occupied in pushing with vigor the reconstruction of this bridge. On the nineteenth the march was resumed, and continued to the vicinity of Grand Coteau, and on the following day our main force occupied Opelousas. The cavalry, supported by one regiment of infantry and a section of artillery, being thrown forward to Washington, on the Courtableau, a distance of six miles. I informed you in my number "nine" that I had ordered the gunboats to take Bute-a-la-Rose. This was handsomely done without serious loss on the morning of the twenty-sixth instant, by Lieutenant-Commander Cooke, United States Navy, with his gunboat and four companies of infantry. We captured here the garrison of sixty men and its commander, two heavy guns in position and in good order, a large quantity of ammunition, and the key of the Atchafalaya. I hope not to be obliged to lose a moment in improving the decisive advantage gained in this section. We have destroyed the enemy's army and navy, and made their organization impossible by destroying or removing the material. We hold the key of the position. Among the evidences of our victory are two thousand prisoners, two transports and twenty guns, (including one piece of the Valverde battery,) taken; and three gunboats and eight transports destroyed. I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. P. BANKS, Major-General Commanding. Major-General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief, Washington City. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PECK'S REPORT. Adjutant-General J. D. Williams: The command rested on the twenty-first. Yesterday morning, the twenty-second, I sent out Brigadier-General Dwight with his brigade of Grover's division and detachments of artillery and cavalry, to push forward through Washington toward Alexandria. He found the bridges over bayous Cocodue and Bocuff destroyed, and occu-dition to this point. pied the evening and night in replacing them by We left Brashear City, La., on the ninth of a single bridge at the junction of the two bayous. April, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, and The people say that the enemy threw large quan- proceeded to Berwick, where we remained until tities of ammunition and some small arms into the eleventh, when we marched to a point one Bayou Cocodue, and that the Texans declared mile above Pattersonville, company B being that they were going to Texas. Here the steamer thrown forward as skirmishers. We bivouackWave was burnt by the enemy, and the princi-ed for the night, and on the twelfth marched pal portion of her cargo, which had been transferred to a flat, captured by us. A despatch was found by General Dwight, in which Gov. Moore tells General Taylor to retreat slowly to Alexandria, and if pressed to retire to Texas. General During the day our skirmishers were constantDwight will push well forward to-day, and pro-ly engaged with those of the enemy, but sustainbably halt to-morrow, to continue his march or return, according to circumstances. forward on the left of the brigade in support of Carruth's Sixth Massachusetts battery on our right, our front being covered by company A, thrown forward as skirmishers. ed no loss. During the afternoon we came under the fire of the enemy's artillery, when an engagement ensued which lasted till night. At dark we withdrew out of range of the enemy's guns and bivouacked in line of battle upon the left of the brigade line. An expedition, consisting of the One Hundred and Sixty-second New-York, Lieutenant-Colonel Blanchard, one section of artillery, and Barrett's company B, First Louisiana cavalry, accompanied by Captain Durham, Assistant Adjutant-General, On the thirteenth, soon after daylight, the and First Lieutenant Harwood, Engineers, (both regiment was formed in support of the Twentyof my staff,) was sent out yesterday morning by first Indiana battery, which opened upon the way of Barre's Landing, to examine the Bayou enemy's fortifications and the gunboat Diana, Courtableau, in the direction of Bute-a-la-Rose. | which had taken position upon their left. After Last night Captain Dunham reported the road the silencing and withdrawal of the Diana, the impassable, four miles beyond Barre's Landing, regiment was advanced to the front of the and that the expedition had captured the steamer enemy's works, and successively, during the day, Ellen, in a small bayou, leading out of the Courta- supported Carruth's, Mack's, Duryea's, and Bainbleau. Tais capture is a timely assistance to us. I bridge's batteries. Companies E, F, and G were advanced as skirmishers, and approached within speaking distance of the enemy's intrenchments. They were actively engaged during the whole afternoon with very apparent effect. All our casualties occurred during this engagement. The battle was continued till some time after dark, when we bivouacked upon the field in line of battle. During the night the enemy's works were evacuated. On the fourteenth we marched in pursuit through Franklin. On the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth, we marched through Jeanerets, New-Iberia, and St. Martinsville, without special incident. On the eighteenth we rested near Vermilionville. On the nineteenth, renewed our march for Opelousas, where we arrived on Monday morning, the twentieth. We are distant from New-Orleans one hundred and eighty miles, and from Alexandria, on the Red River, about seventyfive miles. The patient endurance of the men of the regiment, of the fatigues and privations of the long march, in their eagerness to overtake and again engage the routed enemy, deserves the highest praise. Captains Grannis and Brennan, with their companies, as skirmishers on the eleventh and twelfth, did most creditable service. The coolness and pertinacity with which the companies of Captains Braley and Byxbee annoyed the gunners of the enemy during the entire afternoon of the thirteenth, under a fire of grape and canister and repeated volleys of musketry, reflect the highest credit upon the courage and skill of the officers and soldiers of those companies present. tion of Ozark, and reported no apparent preparations of the enemy to move in this direction. Having no fresh horses, I ordered Lieutenant Robb to take his command to quarters, expecting to be able to send a small scout again on the next day. On Saturday morning, eighteenth instant, at a few minutes after sunrise, the enemy having made a forced march from the Boston Mountain during the night, surprised and captured our dismounted picket on the Frog Bayou road, and approached the town with wild and deafening shouts. Their cavalry charged up a deep ravine on the east side of the city, and attacked my headquarters, (the Colonel Tibbetts place.) The firing of the picket had alarmed the command, and by the time the enemy had reached town the First Arkansas infantry had formed on their parade-ground, under command of LieutenantColonel E. J. Searle, assisted by Major E. D. Hanna, and slowly retired by my orders, toward the cavalry, then formed, dismounted, at their camp. Fearing that, not being informed, they might be mistaken for the enemy, and be fired upon by the cavalry, I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Searle to post seven companies as a reserve in a sheltered position in our rear, two of which were afterward ordered to support the left wing. The remaining three companies of the First infantry, together with four companies of the First cavalry, formed the centre of our line under my own immediate command. The right wing was composed of the Third battalion, First cavalry, under command of Major Ezra Fitch; and the left wing, Second battalion, (First Arkansas cavalry,) was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel A. W. Bishop, assisted by Major T. J. Hunt. Headquarters was made the "bone of contention," and was repeatedly charged by the rebels, but they were gallantly repulsed by our men. In less than thirty minutes after the first attack, the enemy planted two pieces of artillery-one a twelvepounder, and one six-pounder-upon the hill-side east of town, near Colonel Guitar's place, and opened a sharp fire of canister and shells upon the camp of the First Arkansas cavalry, doing some damage to tents and horses, but killing no men. At eight A.M. our centre had advanced and occupied the house, yard, out-buildings and hedges at my headquarters; the right wing had advanced to the arsenal, and the left occupied the open field on the north-east of town, while the enemy had possession of the whole hill-side east, the Davis place, opposite to, and the grove south of headquarters. This grove was formerly occupied by the buildings of the Arkansas College. At about nine A.M., or a little before, Colonel Munroe led a gallant and desperate cavalry charge upon our right wing, which was met by a galling cross-fire from our right and centre, piling rebel men and horses in heaps in front of our ordnance GENERAL: The following report of the battle office, and causing the enemy to retreat in disof yesterday at Fayetteville, is respectfully sub-order to the woods. During this charge, Captain mitted, in addition to the telegraphic despatches of last evening. On Friday, seventeenth instant, a scout under command of Lieutenant Robb, First Arkansas cavalry, returned from the direc I take pleasure in mentioning the efficient support of Major Lewis during the progress of the expedition. Our wounded were promptly cared for by Doctor Cummings, Acting Surgeon. Chaplain Bradford is deserving of great praise for the fearless activity with which he ministered to the suffering during the battle and the night following. I inclose a list of the killed and wounded. I am, sir, your obedient servant, FRANK H. PECK, Lieut.-Colonel Commanding Twelfth Connecticut Vols. P. S.-Lieutenant Francis, who was wounded and captured on the Diana on the twenty-eighth of March, was recaptured at Franklin, where he now remains in hospital, receiving all possible attention. F. H. P. Doc. 172. BATTLE OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. COLONEL HARRISON'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS POST, Major-General S. R. Curtis, Commanding De- Parker and Smith, of the First infantry, while bravely cheering their men, were both wounded in the head, though not dangerously. At about the same time, by my order, two companies of |