The New York Herald Newspaper, March 15, 1864, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. “WHOLE NO. 10,041. —— NEW YORK, TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1864.-WITH SUPPLEMENT. THE SHERMAN EXPEDITION. Highly Important from South- ern Mississippi. Full Details of the Extensive Raid Through Mississip- pi from Our Special . Correspondent. Glorious Success to Our Arms. THE CAPTURE OF MERIDIAN. One Hundred and Fifty Miles of Rebel Railroad Communicatioif Destroyed. The Key to the Rebel Military Operations in the South- west Irreparably Ruined. Mississippi Redeemed from Rebel Rule. Fall Details of the Entire Expedition from Its Departure Until It Re- turned to the Mississippi River, &o., &o., &o. Mr, De Randolph Keim’s Perpater “ "Maman, Milss., Feb. 19, feed. ORGANIZATION OF THE EXPEDITION—PLAN OP MARCH. For several weeks prior to the sotting out of the pre- sent expedition General Sherman had been industriously ‘end quietly at work organizing a force which was destined for on@ of the most brilliant and effective movements of the war, At Memphis he gathered a body of cavalry mumbering about eight thousand, under General Wm. Sooy Smith, and, whea it was thoroughly organtzed, or. dered it to move at a certain time and sever the rail roads somowhere in the vicinity of this place. From Memphis the General left for Vickeburg, having previously moved thence the larger part of the Sixteenth worpe, This force, together with a portion of the Seventeenth corps, was consolidated into a column fer movement in the direction of Meridian, long the railroad connecting Vicksburg, Jack pou and Meridian. It was determined aiso to transport eupplies for twenty days and ammunition for the cam- paign in the wagons, For subsistence the troops were to depend mainly upon the country. By this plan the mecessity of a base of supplies was obviated and the ‘army unembarrassed by being obliged to keep open a Yong line of communication with the rear. Everything mecossary to insure the success o! the enterprise was Morough!y accomplished. ‘THE SPIRIT OF THR TROOTS was of a character most flattering to success, And it should be stated that, notwithstanding the promise and ‘expectation of immodiate furloughs under the re enlist ment act, there was but littie dissatisfaction arnong tbe mon, and that only among a class of those who are never coutented. The mijority seemed anxious to add another page to their bright record, aud to go home crowned with the glories of another campaign. Under such auspicious circumstances and feelings the forces of the expedition left Vicksburg on the morning of February 3, and moved by several roads, each corps for Ma respective designated crossing of the Big Black river As the expedition covers a large oxtent of temritory, it will bo impossible to give it that micutoness of detali ‘which it deserves. I will confine myself to the cardinal Sea*ures of the expedition, and even iis will require a very crude form of narration (CROSSING TI LACK RIVER AND ADVANCE. At one o'clock on February 3 the troops of the Seven. feentb corps crossed the Big Black at the railroad bridge, @bilethe Sixteenth corps at the same time crossed at Messonger's ferry, six miles above. Siuce the occupa Yon of Vicksburg by our forces during last July the Big Biack haa been held by a detachment of our forces as an @utpost and defence against the too close encroachments @f the enemy's cayairy, which has never for any length of time entirely disappeared (rom our front, Beyond thie stream we have never occupied, though frequent in earéions have beon made {nto the territory, either for re- @onnclssance or destruction of the enemy's supplies. ‘Tbe passage of the river, therefore, found us in the coun- try of the adversary, aud his pickots and parties of observation were soon seen or encountered. On the same night the two corps bivouacked 09 two roads about ve miles (rom the river, ‘The next morning wt seven o'clock both commande Sgain moved forward upon their respective lines of march. The Sixteenth corps experienced litt! opposition Goring the Gay, the enemy's attention seeming to be ex @lusively absorbed by the advance of the Seventeenth ‘Sorps, it having the main travelied road. Upon arriving fe the vicioity of the old battle Geld of Champion's Ril! tine enemy showed sigas of a disposition to oppose us with B more determined bostility than we bad experienced @aring Whe earlier part of the doy. “ 4 most about on o'clock tn the aftersoon the cayairy seirmisbers came togeiber. In cavalry (ie part of the 4 aie Way bee Of ios Hounted oe ez Gepariment baying been concentrated at Memphis for the purpose already mentioned © drips afair between wefeatry of (be COfps was fh the onsulsg content vever Rasumed the dimensions of a Dattlo, it was decidedly, for © time, © considerable skirmisd. The Fifteenth aud Pixteenth {Hoots Wofantry, Colones! Rogers and Major Moity, and an Ohio battery wore the forces engaged ov @ur side. At length our troops succeeded tn forcing the enemy (0 retire, aud pursued, driving him across Haker's @reck, Our troops belt up here, aod the entire corps Moved up and birouscked The enemy on the opposite Gide of the creek also made preparations for the vight, @nd the pickets of the two armies sion arrayed against @ach other, separated only by a smal! stream a fow yards te width. ‘The casuaities of the day on the part of the Seventeenth @orps were about eis killed and fourteen wounded The Boss of the enemy, a8 jearned from a private letter osp ured several days after, was Ofty killed end wounded Wp prisoners, several were lost in Foster's battalion, @hbieh opened the engagement. We captured a lieuienant fend seven privates. Both parties ased artillery during the day, Lieutenant Colones! A M. Powell, chief of or Bilery, superintended this arm, choosing its positions, which to every case proved very eMective, The euemy Giscovered our pisces during the day. It was anticipated that the following morning would Dring on an cngagement of some charaster, Io thi, bow. @ver, wo wore disappoinied. The creek was crowed Bader o ight and seatiereg Gre, and ous jroops moved op thew route with little det-arion, though skirmishing waa CobtiDuoUe BNGAGEM" ey WRAR CLINTON, Dpoo arriving Ab ™ widay to vbe vicinity of Clinton the advance of tbo tao armies again engaged in a spirited contest, The ¢ siay, however, was but momentary, and we 8000 Med forward, and marched through Clinton witbout ‘gaiting. The Sixteenth corps during ihe day en000",tered w more decided opposition iban during the Pr‘ceding day. Both corps, however, suffered little lose ‘itber of men or time. Ov the same afternoon Colone! Winslow's cavalry, of ‘be Seventcenth corps, succeeded im capturing one Piece of artillery and @ caisson, and drove the @uemy towards Jackson, on the outskirte of which they again formed m line. The conflict here was short, and the enemy withdrew rapidly acrose Pear! river, not having time to destroy his pontoon boats. He Pursued the Canton road towards the north, General Stephen D. Leo commanded the enemy’s force, and the manner in which be disposed of the troops under his orders was Dighly effective and he was warmly compl mented by car commanding officers, « Our loss during these affeim wes twenty killed and wounded. General McPherson in these affairs was seve: ral times made the target @f the enomy’s sbarpebooters and artillery, Licutenait Colonel Clark, Adjutant Gene- ral of the Seventeenth corps, im person directed the ope- rations of the cavairy ou this day, and, by one successful obarge ordered by bim and executed by the Eleventh Mmois cavalry, ander Colonel Kerr, completely discom- fitted the enemy and bastened his fight. In this last affair Colone! Clark’s horse su(fored a severe wound in the Jeg, completely disabling him, and the Colonel bimseif was bit by a splinter ou the Anger, and narrowly escaped more serious tojury from the missiles. OCCUPATION OF JACKSON, MIS3,—CROGSING THR PRARL RIVER. ‘The same evoning the headquarters of the Seventeenth corps were in Jackson, and the main body of tho troops bivouacked within five miles of the city, The Sixteenth corps joined us at Jackson. The drst person ip the town was Lieutenant Vernay. Tho next day was spent io reconstructing the bridge across Pearl river, The enemy, after crossing, merely cut the guy ropes and some of the timbers floated off; but the boats were not damaged. Captaio Andrew Hecken- looper, Chief Engineer of the Seventeenth corps, had the Dridging of the river under his superintendence, assisted by Captains Black and Merritt. On February 7, at soven A. M., our forces commenced crossing Pearl river, the Seventeenth corps im advance. There was but little skirmishing during the day, The army encamped in the vicinity of Brandon. This day our troops captured @ deserter from the Thir teenth lilinois, Company G, who had deserted to Wirt Adams on the Grst attack on Vicksburg. Ho was recog nized by some of bis company. French, with two brigades, was in Branden io the morning of the day upon which our forces took possession. ENGAGEMENT AT LINE ORBEK, The next day the army moved forward witb little or DO opposition until arriving ia the vicinity of Line creek, Here a considerable force of the enemy was discovered in line of battle in front of a house inhabited by @ family. Yhe enemy fired upon our advance cavalry, under Col. Winslow. The volley was returned. Accidentally one of our missiles killed # woman occupying tbe house, Sho was discovered dead when the enemy broke. Her fymait; Tw, Pe Kee as The reason given for the rapid: withdrawal 2" ee inp tion on tbe part of some of - Tha greatest demoralization is said to prevail, snd the refusal to fight is very good evidence of the fact. On this sight our force bivouscked om Line creek: The probable strength of the enemy, based upon statements received from prisoners and deserters, was set down at fteen thousand. THE ADVANCE RESUMED —CHANGE OF FRONT. On the Oth the army was again in motion by eight o'clock. Rather reliable information was received in the night that the enemy would Sight at Morton; but upon ar- riving at that place about noon it was discovered that be had left several hours before. The Seventeenth corps bere went tate camp, in order to silow the Bixteenth corps to take the advance. During the day dfty desert- ers came In. From Morton on the next day the army made fifteen miles and bivouacked. During the marob several foragers from our army were captured by the enemy, and it bas been stated upon good authborily that they were bung. The next day's march was necessarily very siow, owing to swamps. The two Pioneer corps of the com mand were temporarily consolidated under Captain Hickenlooper, The energy oxhidited by this officer aod the efficiency of [the work executed under bis supervision reflected great credit upon his engineering al 7. Not withstanding all these delays the army, with all its trains, made twelve miles and went into camp. Ou the following morning Captain J, 8. Foster, Fourth Obio Independent cavalry, commanding cavalry bat talion, set out, im accordance with orders, and moved to take a station ou the railroad. A smal force of the enemy in the village was seon driven out, and two engines, thirty-‘lve care, a turn-tablo, round house, machine shops and several mills were destroyedesio al! valued at five hundred thousand dollare, NARROW ESCAPA OF GENERAL SHERMAN. On the 12th opr army arrived tn the evening at Deca tur. In the afternoon about two hundred of the enemy, under Captain Kavanaugh, made a dash upon the wagoo traio of the Sixteenth corps, killing twenty-(our mules, but no men. General Sherman almost fell into the hauds of the enemy, and was saved only by the valor of bis ‘Troops were soon brought to the scene of nd the enemy as quickly withdrew. STEADILY ONWARD—EXPEDITION TO NEWTON, Ou. February 13 General Chambers, commanding tho Towa Brigade, took the advance and led of the column with little delay, and arrived in camp on Big Chunkey river at half-past eight o'clock 1 M. Up to thie time n0 reliable news bad been received frow General Smith’s columo. The next day the army advanced twelve miles, with little skirmishing. On the same day General M. F, Force left with hie command for Newton, a railroad station, He set out before daylight. His expedition was success ful, effecting everything that was designe: On the same day, also, the trains were left on Chunkoy river, under a strovg guard, commanded by Geveral Chambers, The rest of the troops, with two wagons, two ambulances and ove hospital wagon to s regiment, moved forward qui kly upon Meridian, OCCUPATION OF MERIDIA®. ‘The advance of the Sixteouth corps entered during the afternoon without opposition, the enemy baving previous ly withdrawn, The Seventeenth corps camped that night five miles from the town, and entered ou the morning of the 15th Ip a terrific rato storm. Upon arriving in the village it was found that tho epemy bad removed ali bie stores and trains, but the great object of the expedition was not defeated, and the destruction of the railroads was at ondé commenced, not- withstanding the rain. an ‘THR WRBRL ARMY. The entire concentrated force of the enemy, as already fated, in thie section is estimated at fAfteon thousand Fe ee emtnk ee Badd at tater. stopo, Jobo Adams, Alien, Whitaker, Buford, Baldwin apd Cockerel. The morals of their army is shocking, [n tances, according to the reports of desorters, large pombere of men atterly refused to 1 many throwisg down their arms, From repor t Wore that the enemy determined to make @ stand at Brevdon, Morton, sear Line creek and at Me. fridian but at Gone of these pointe could the men be prevailed upon (0 stand, In the vicinity of Line creek the enemy formed in imme of battle four times; but #0 great had become the panic and consequent tosubor- dination upon the approach of oar army that sovtrai fogimente were pul under guard aod marehed to the fear. One very covrincing fact of thie state of ibe ene: my's soldiers le the aecesaity of siwaya keeping bis cavalry between bis infantry and oar army. On one oo- easton, when his cavalry bocame ee closely pressed as to be obliged to movo from botween (he armies, as many ae Alty Gesortors came within our ‘tea. All of these seemed to be of the opinion that further rebellion was an- gecessary and ueoless; that they had nothing favorabic to hope for, and that the continuance of the struggle wae bot magnifying their sulleringa aud more surely consummatiog the ruin of thomesives, their homes and their best interests, There has hoon HO Movement of the war in which the hopeleat- Bese of the Southern cause bas been brought more direct- «7 home to the hearts of the soldiers and the peopie in ‘thip eegtiop Iban tbe present, and doudtigas be‘ore tbe army retorna © the river many wore will be similarly impressed. GENERA}. SURRMAN'S CONGRATULATORY ORDER. Upon the occupation of Meridian Gepera) sherman te sued the following congratulatory address Lo bis troops:— ARanQuaRrEers, Deranrxent ov THs TRNvESsER, Marivian, Mise., Feb. 16, 2864. The Genera) Comrianding conveys bis congratulations and thanks 0 the officers and men composing this com- mand for their most successful accomplishment of one of the great probiews of the war. Moridian, the great railway centre of the Southwest, is now in our possession, aad by industry and hard work can be rendered useless tothe enemy and deprive him of the chief source of sup- ply to hig armies. Secrecy in pian and rapidity of exe- cution accomplish the beat results of war; and the Geveral Commanding assures all that by following their loaders fearlessly and with conflaence they will in time reap the reward so dear to us all—a peace that will never again be disturbed tu our country by a discontented minority By order of W. T. SHERMAN, Major Genera) Commanding. PLAN OF ACTION, ‘The following instructions were issued'to the troops by Genera) Sherman:— Hgapquanrsrs Drpal OF 388 TRYNE:SER, s Feb. 15, 1364. A 1. Tho destruotion of the railroads ridian is of = fmportanco and should be done inost effectually, pape rail for many miies in each irection should destroyed or {njured, and every bridge and culvert shoulda be completely destroyed. To insure this end, to Geserel:Hurtbut is eutrusted the destruction east and north, and to General Me!’herson tho roads west and sonth. The troops should be impressod with the importance of this work, and also that timo ‘a material, and therefore it should be begun at once and be prosecuted with all the energy possible, Working parties should be composed of about one half the command, and they should move by regiments, pro- vided with their arms aud haversacks, ready to 1 attacks of cavalry. The other half in reserve will be able to watoh the enemy retreating eastward. 2. Colonel EB. F. Winslow, commanding cavalry, will keep his cavalry in advance of the party working east- ward, and will act as though this army were slowly pur- suing the enemy. 8, Special instructions will be given as to to the gen- eral supply train; and the troops now in Meridian wiil, under preper brigade parties, collect meal, meas and supplies, The destruction of buildings mast be deferred tll the fast moment, wheu @ special detail wij! be made for that purpose, By order of W. T. SHERMAN, Major General Commanding. TB AALLROADS DESTROYED—CAPTURS OF BNTERPRISE AND QuImMAN, In obedience to the instructions, the destruction of the railroads in the village and vicinity was entrusted to the superintendence of Chief Engineer Hickenlooper, assisted by Captains Black and Merritt and the pioneer companies of the several divistons of the Seventeenth corps. Gene- ral Veatch’s division, of the Sixteenth corps, destroyed ‘the road fifteen miles oast, in the direction of Demopolis, Ala.; General A, J. Smitb’s division, of the same corps, towards the north; Crocker’s and Leggeti’s divisions, of the Seventeonth corps, towards the west and soutn. General Crocker, with bis division, on the second day after our occupation of Meridian, moved against and captured the towa of Enterprise, destroying the rajiroad completely along bie route. General W, Q Greaham, of Crocker’s division, with his brigade, penotrated fourteen miles further south, to Quitman, tearing up the railroad, burning the ties, bond- fog the rails, destroying three miles of trestle work, several steam mills, and a bridge over two hundred feet fo length, A still more remarkable feature of this expe- ition ts the fact that the brigade, from seven A. M. till aine P. M. of the same day, marched twenty-seven miles, Spending four hours of the time in effecting the above meationed destruction, This is quite « flattering com. tyencement of the Geveral’s career under his new rank. ny Generals saleby, joe ES ‘Smith and Colonel Halt, with their brigades, algo did valuable service on the southorn and western sections of the road on the second day. Colonel B. F. Potts’ brigade was ordered along the rajlroad towards the west and completed is destruction, after which he moved for the wagon train parked on Big Chunkey creek, and relieved General Chambers, who was ordered here with his command. The great feat of the expedition in the way of marching was performed by ubts brigade on this occasion. On the day after Colouel Potts arrived it set, out at seven A. M. and marched bere—a distance of eighteen milosewin six hours, having ‘spent an bour out of thesix in resting. During our occupa- tion of this place up to the present the work of destroying railroads hag been continually going on; but the burning of government buildings ts reservod for the day of our departure in return, This was a matter of foresight, with the dosiga of sheltering our troops in case of a retura of the raio experienced on the morning of occupation. MERIDIAN. Meridian isa village of three hundred inbabitants, in Missigsippi, about midway beiwoen the oorthery and southern boundary of the State, and Gfteen miles from the Alabama line. It is situated at the point of inter. seciion of the Mobile and Ohio Ratlroad from Columbus, Ky., and the Southera Ratlroad from Vicksbifrg to Solms, Ala. In’ consideration of this the place was one of im mense Importance to the enemy, ina military point of ‘view, and has been the centre of much of the material of war belonging to the confederacy in this section Prior to the #ucoess attending our arms last summer Meridian was the key to communications betweon the trans-Missiesippi. Departmont, Vicksburg, Mobile and the Bast. The surrender of Vicksburg sod ‘he destruction of the railroad to Jackson put an end to rebel occupation west of the Poarl river, wrested from them Aifty miles of road and severed intercourse with their armics weet of tbe Mississippi. The present oxpedition bas beon equally as important ia the destruction of the centre of the eutire network of communication ta the Southwest, hitherto 0 advantageously used by the enemy. The last line,of railroads has fallen from bis control, Henceforth intersecting at a force destined to reinforce Mobile will be obliged to per- form many miles of the distance on foot, or else use water commuuication by the Tombigbee and Alabama rivera, {78 MILITARY VALUB TO THE REOELS. and Improvements tion of the enemy toestablish bere the great military post of the entire southwest, AM arsenal, extensive depots and ware- houses, machine shops, barracks aod hospitals, all aew, ‘and some stil! unfinished, were found upou our oocupa tion, A partly completed residence was poluted out to meas having been erected for the use of Genera) Polk, the commanding general of the depariment, Many other atlldings were being constructed, probably with @ view to the accommodation of officers. How ever, ali these plans bave been protty effectually disarranged, and the confederacy in the future will be obliged to select ® less convenient locality to order to carry out ite dreams of suthority io the Soulbwest. From present appearances there will shortiy be ae choice loft them west of Georgia, THB COUNFRT AROUND. The country through which the army passed wae majnly uninviting tp prospect and quality of soll, The laud 1@ poor end in many parts sandy or tow and swampy. The country between the Pearl and Sissisaipp! rivers ts much more fertile than that beiweeo the Pearl and Tombigbee, Agriculture in tho Gret mentioned section = recelvos some attention, aod the investment of capital and = insor has brought foto existence = some — excellent plantations, bot west of she Pearl the land is almost worthless, and hardly repays the primitive and econom) cal manner of Ite oultivation. Hers moet w/t aimést a continuoug pind forest which would make excellent jumber--and bore opens 8 tne Gold for an enterpriring Yankee, Land varies froai Twonky-dive coots to five dol lars por aoro, with (he convenience of railroad transpor tation, whICR was at band and will be again upen the re turn of peace, A steam sawmill would be profitabe, aud ready buyers could be found io the markets of Vicksburs and ai! the river towns aad cities, Inclusive of New Orieans ‘THE POPULATION. AR A COneequence of the condition of the oowntry sar! culturally its population is very sparse, and the few Inbabiting 14 are an adject and ignorant class, who know perhaps as little of the present struggle between the North an@ South as possibio for human beings. and rem 0 exert n0 influence and fool little concern as to ibe issue. Upon the advance of our foress some would eecret themecives aod it effects im the woods, others would loot o9 wit an apathetic stare abd, as might be expected, mo hustility tewards our sordiors was evinced. It is a matter of av surprse that the secession movement found many supporters in bo fection, for the inbabitints aro got given to thinking for themsel ¥ hor Gid & require s romerkabie ab play of persuanion to force theif ignorant minds into the beilef that their interests jay with the rebeliion of the Southern |, States. Perbaps by the time ovr army will have war versed (he rost of ite route oa the way Back fhe poyslaty Wil) bo aroused to tho fact of the deceptive glories of ao wunie unformed ationality and the ancertaintios attending re volution. TH SUPPLIES FOR THE EXPEDITION, When the expedition left Vicksburg twenty days’ sup- plies of bard bread, sugar, coffec and salt were placed in wagons, and orders wore issued for the troops to subsist upon the country, Upon oar arrival bere it waa found that the troops had consumed but four out of twelve days’ rations—the remainder of the subsistence having been drawn from the country, At presont there aro seve- ra} mills in the vicinity in full operation grinding meal, ‘The average oxpacity of each mill is about six bushels per hour, which bas been found a valuable assistance in the supply of tho troops, On the march a large number of mills were destroyed, and all of thom will doubtiess share the samo fate ag our army withdraws, ‘Tho wills of the country hawe been the sup- port of the onemy during his occupation of this region. Their destruction 1s as grsat on obstacle to bis reoccupa- tion of Southern Mississippi ag the rujo of railroad com. munication. MON-ARRIVAL OF SMITH’S CAVALRY. When this portion of the expedition arrived here ft was found that Geacral Smith’s cavalry bad aot yet made its appearance, Soyerat days defore information was received from deserters and pris- onets that be had been at Lauderdale Station, forty-five miles above, Nothing further, bowever, hag been received, and it is doubtful whether that informa- ion was correct. A great doal depended upon the co. operation of Smith’s column, and if it had been success ful in accomplishing what was laid out for it the ene- my’s stores) and possibly many of his troo, ould bave fallen into cur bands, Much speculation ts afloat as to the cause of bis non-appearance. By some it ts supposed that he encountered a stronger opposition from Forrest's command than was looked for. {!t hardly seems probable that he would have deviated so far from bis course as to attack Selma, Tho grestest curiosity prevaila among ofiicers as to bis whereabouts and the fortune of bis movements, ‘WHY THE REPELS PRLL BACK It was at one time supposed that the ready giving way of the enemy upon our advance was the effect of Smith's Presence in thoir rear. [i is uow kuown that the enemy, presuming our destination was Mobile, fell back with a view te enticing us {nto the country, ag they explain their movement, They have pow learned, when wo late, ‘that Meridian and the destruction of the railroads cen. tering here wore the main objects to be attained. It is said that General Polk remarked that if he bad known thie he would have given us Aght before reaching Meridian. This t#@ ove way of coveriug up the demoralization of Bis army. [f Smith had come up it is not improbadie we would have vorided his expectations ‘and marched for Mobile; and It ts not boastful to add that General Sherman would have been fuily able to consum- mate the still greater glory and success of bis daring movement ip the capture of the last important city of the enemy fn the Southwezt. The accowplishment of the expedition thus far could not have been favored by more agreeable weather. With the exception of a few hours’ severe rain upon the morning of te entrance of the Seventeenth corps into the village the sun shone continuously and beautifully. The roads were consequently tn excellent condition and marching an agreeable duty. The rain has now passed, leaving the atmosphere quite cold. This, however, will baye the effect of quickening the movemeuts of the men. AgaDquaRrers, SxventsenTa AaMY Corps. in Oaur, on Bia Caunasy River, Miss., Feb. 20, 1864. THR ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE EEPEDITION—EVAQUATION OF MERIDIAN. Yesterday afternoon, the destruction of the rail- Toads being fully accomplished, ordera were tssued by Gonerai Sherman for the troops to evacuate Meridian, ‘the route and length of each day’s march wali our ar tiva! at Hitisboro being given. ‘This morning at daylight the commands still in the Village were in movement. During the two days imme- diately prior to our departure the larger part of the troops bad been distributed in various directions to quicken the prosecution of the work of authorized destruc: tow, By last evening the greater part of the troops bad retirped to this piace, aud it was then ordered tuat the Six- tec gh corpo» which Gea, Shermaa accompanied tn person, should move northward towards Marion, whiletueseven teenth corps was ordered to return by the route of our ad- vance, Crocker having moved the night before with bis di- vision directly from Enterprise to the main road, ive miles west of Meridian. It was at the samo time ordered that this corps should move to Hillsboro, @ distance of sixty miles, whore the Sixteenth corps will jou ua, and the wagon trains, which are moving one day in advance of the columo,will again be assigned to their respective corps. DESTROCTION O7 THR REBEL GOVSRNNENT BURDINGE—RE FUGRRS. Upon the withdrawal of our forces from Meridian this moraing all the goverument buildings and property wore burned by orders from the legttimate authorities, The last company that left the town was Foster’s Fourth In- dependent Obio cavalry, commanded by Livutenants. D, Porter. The object in leaving this force was to prevent any vunauthorized destruction of private property by stragglers. A large aamber of refugees, particularly employes of the rajiroads, are accompanying the army to Vicks burg. These poople have furnished their own cou- veyances and provisions, and will probably be no embarrassment to tho army. At dillsboro many of them will be placed ta empty gov: ernment wagons and otherwise cared for, Those who bave thus taken advantage of this opportunity to escape the dominion of the tyranny they have expe- rienced for the past three years are greatly r@oiced at the project of an early return to the peaco, quiet and ority of the Northera States, A large aumber of the inevitable conjrabands are also accompanying the army. MOVEMENTS OF THE REBELS. Wo have learned some further intelligence as to the direction taken by the enemy after hie leaving Moridian, ft seems the largest force moved southward, towards Mobile, while another force has goue to Demopolis, on the Tombigbeo river, and still ancther northward. The cavalry, uoder Ross and adams, are reported on our flanks, Dut bave stood at a distance, ing us a0 trouble or de! At four o'clock P, M., after having marched fifteen milos—the day’s march ordered by Geaors! Shermaa— this partof the army bivouacked upou the stream from which the presoat letter is dated. Haanquantens, Sevexteayta ARMY Coars, Tones Misats Kase ov Paant Riven, Fed, 25, 1966 On Februmry 21, ateeven A. M., with Leggott's di- visio ip the advance, this corps was again iu motion As wo wore about moving out several teats woro dis- eovered on the roadside, and upon examiastion were found to contain several smallpox patients. Tbe Medical Director of vais corps, Dr, Bouchor, immediately inquired snto thelr condition, ead found that they belonged to the Sixteenth corps, and bad been left there by the surgeoe Jet with the Sixteonth corps train, The men bad 00 adejuate attendance and wore without food and modi soourod several ambu- cine. Dr, Boucher @t once junet; find placed the patiouts io them, with proper persons to care for thom, and with orders to follow tm the fear of the columo uptii the conjunction of the two corps, when they wore to be turned over to their proper medical oificers This cote of iafarnous Gegleet will be reported to Dr. Camp. bell, Mediea! Director of the Sixtoonth corps, aud there te co doubt the author of the outrage will De deservedly dieuss0d (rom tbe service. eo RETORN MARCH, after marching with good spsed, consitering the swamps through which we passed, the corps Divouacked fp (he vicinity of Decatur Ov Lhe vext day the command made seventeen miles and bivouscsed op Untacola creek, Ob the 2d, in the after. avon, th ouleenth corpe ootered Hilieboro, and ehortly ator the Sixtecuth entered also, The latter command ecormpiisbed, with iiitle opposition, the th Marion and to this point. Orders iseued that (he erate should be mmedvately djvided aud each Corps prepare w move again ip the morawe On fevrsary 24 Generss Chambers, moved at daylight % Loe main Canton read wore with bin jows Prighie tir Patt Over, WILD RETFMCKIODR V6 FexeD that potot {about Uhirty aes) HY BOK & ploneer corps wan ore aptam Hickenlooper and sent ny the @ the bridge for the passage of the i@ worniog the Sixteeneh corps left another, ganized ope game road 10 pr twoorps, the by the sxave fowl, aOd ihe SeventeentD being ordered to reach Pearl river by to-morrow night. bridge. Fortunately several scows were found, which bridging was one bundred and sixty fect, > PRARL RIVER RBCROSSED, By Ave o'clock this afternoon Chambers, in the ad- vanoo, crosged the river without opposition, and moved a fow miles and bivouacked, The advance of the Sixteenth corps immediately followed. At pine o’clocis im the even- ing some difficulty was experienced with one of the soows, and the crossing was discontinued while tho engineers again went to work to repair the difficulty. should bave stated that on tho first day out from Hillsboro several of our advance encountered several of rebel officers at a house, and as they attempted to make their escape shat the horse of Colonel Ballantine’s Adju- tant General. The party were pot captured, in conse. quence of the ignorance of ourjmen of the roads, our party expecting to intercept them on the right, when tho left was the proper direction, Canton, Miss., Fob. 26, 1864. AQ midnight the bridge across the Pearl was repaired and orossing was immediately resumed. Tho Sixteenth Corps was all over by six o’olock A. M.,and tho Seven- teenth at once followed, The eutire army moved directly for this place. ARRIVAL AP CANTON. By n00n Chambers entered the town and placed his entire brigade on provost duty to prevent the robbing Of citizens and destruction of property. The Fourth lowa cavalry, under Colonel Winslow, @utered from the north, bringing 1 a large number of wagons and quantities of bacon and negroes, which were being taken off by citi- zens. The Sixtecath and Seyouteenth corpa both camped ip tho vicinity of the town during the afternoon. Conton was entiroly evacuated before our troops ar- rived. We captured seventeen engines, thirty cars and some stores, The people of the town were less vindictive towards our officers and men than have beon the people in the other rogions through which we passed. Ladies prome- nadod the streets, notwithstanding the presence of our soldiers, General Shorman has ordered for the present that the Seventeenth corps shall operato between this point and Poari river, and the Sixteanth between here and the Big Black. The object is the destruction of rail- roads and other operations of an important character, Vicusnung, Fed 28, 1864. RETURN TO VICKSHURG, Yesterday morning at eight o'clock, escorted by the Fourth Iowa oavairy, Colonel Winslow, Goneral Shorman. and sta set out from Cauton for this place, This being the first opportunity, 1 also accompanied the party. The distance between the two points is a trifle over seventy miles, By seven o'clock this morning we arrived at the Big Black, and taking an extra train we reached here at ten o'clock. The two corps were toft at Canton to carry out the instructions given them, which I have mentioned in a former lettter. The expedition, however, may now be considered competed, aud @ very brief re- view of the whole may not be out of placc bore, ‘THE OBJECT OF THE EXPEDITION seoms to have been the demolition “of the chain of rail- ways centering at Meridian. In effecting this Geveral Shorman’s column was eminently successful. Fuily one hundred miles of road have been literally destroyed, n0. thing being left but beat and useless rails. As re. gards the future reoccupation of the State by the enemy, this is ao impossibility. The sub. sistence of our large force upon the meagre produce im store in the country has drawn off, 1p ali probability, more than the surplus above tho im Mediate wants of the home pcpulation. This will oblige many to leave the State or seck other portions that have not been visited by our troops. This being the case, with bis very poor means of transportation the enemy will hardly God it convenient, if indeed possible, to return to Mississippi ia any force. A small cavalry party may nd a*poorly compensated necessity of romaiming, with- out, however, the least embarrassment or effect upon our future operations, The expedition may therofore be considered a euccesé—Aret, in tho destruction of railroads, and second, in the wrosting of the State from the pos- session of the enemy. GRNGRAL W. 3. SMITH’S CAVALRY MOVEMENTS,, ‘The signa! failure of Gen, W. 8. Smith’s cavalry column, which should jot out from Memphis on the 1st of oe month, but not until tho 11th, defoated a well Jaid plan on the part of Shorman to capture the larger part of the enemy's force. If Smith bad set out when ordered be could bave accomplished all that was expected of him; for watil the 6th our column was engoging the main strength of the eaemy’s cavalry under Lee. However, when Leo found it was our object to ponetrate east of the Pearl river, and having an ingu‘tl- cient force to successfaliy delay our marc, he moved north and concentrated all his strength—viz: the com- mands of Forrest, Chalmers, Jackson and those under his immediate command—sgainst Smith, who, by that time, should have passed completely out of reach of these troops and been well on the way to Demopolis, Ala., on the Tombigbeo, His unaccountable dolay, however, gave the enemy plenty of time to mature his plans and successfully put them into execution. The excuse given, that whea Smith beard Shorman bad occupied Meridian he thought it unneces. sary to go forward, ts but a poor and griov- ously anmilitary palijation of a dofeat, The s0- licitude and dotention experienced while Sur forces were in Meridian in expectation of Smith's arrival are suilicient grounds for tho belief that Smith had o0 discretionary privileges as regarded lis retura aotil the object of his mission was fully achieved, If Smith, had come up, even after the occupation of Meridian by General Sherman, there is a0 doubt we would have indicted a atill more lasting disaster upon the rebel cause than they met from the unaided exertions of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth corps. OUR GatNs, In tho entire expedition there were about olght hundred horses and mulos captured and three bundred prisovers taken, among whom wore some fleld and iine officers Tho agent of the Alabama salt works, with about ton ‘thousand dollars on bis porson, was also taken. A large number of wagons, deserted by the enemy, were dostroy- @d. The killed aod wounded of the enemy will approximate two hundred, Use piece of artillery anda oumber of small arms wore taken, The damage done the railroads and buildings useful for army purposes if computed in dollars would be enormous atthe present rates in the confederacy. OUR LOSsE. Our loss in materiel has beon tristiag, and one hundred and Gifty will cover the killed, wounded and prisonors of Doth corps. The bealth of the troops during th ret was oxcollent. But one man was left behind on account of sickness, In a few days Colonel Potts’ brigade will reach here and be immediately furloughed and goat up the river, It seoms to be the intention to get through with the fur Joughing of troops as quickly as possivie, with a view to further Activity iu the coming spring. Vicxsoona, March 4, 1864, SKIRMISHING NEAR CANTON, foformation bas just been received hi that the two corps have been ordored to this place They are vow to motion, and will_artive ia two or threo days, [t is supposed that some other movement will sbortly be inaugurated. It {3 algo reported that the rebel cavairy, under Stephen D, Lee, had attacked our forces jn the vicinity of Canton and some brick skirmish. ing bad been going On, An oflieer of Leo's apirit and Activity will not allow bis troops much respite long a thore ts ah enemy within sirikiog distance Having dieposed in @ handsome mancer of General W. 8. Smith, be has no doubt roturoed to the south in order to annoy our infavtry He will moet joss success here, and if aot careful will experleace some unexpected consequences. ARRIVAL OF COLONML POTTS? BRIGADE Yesterday Col, Pott’ (urloughed brigade reached here, wajtn all the captured etock end refagee negroes. An the Procession entered one could aot but eontrant it with the irlumphal entries of Roman gecorais w olden (mes, aud bo nnpressed with the exceedingly democratic and uooe fentations and matrer of-fict character of modern war. Ibe Hegroes are Astimated at three thousand, mostly ebitren, What wil be done with them is pow the question with the suthoritles A plice ot settle. went io tome vf the subjugated States would but tending to the same point, both commands This afternoon both corps wore within several miles o the river, and biyouacked, awaiting the complotion of the answered the purpose of pontoons, The entire levgth of street's hoadquarters are at Greenville, Teov,, General Buckner’s at Bul an hour, ing, om account of heavy fog. PRICE THREE CENTS, for she present be aa advisable monsuro, Vick@e burg to-day would striko @ strangér more with the idea of @ nogro settlement than a city of whites, In rach very few of the latter complexion are now to be seen om the streets, while the negross lounge on every corner, Something must soon be done to oblige the nogroes to Ia bor for their own support, or the government will Ineyp. itably experience a long looked for embarrassment from (bis immense source Of useless expenditure of overgy aug substance. ¥ Rebel Account. i THE REDEL GENERAL POLK’S ADDRESS TO 11g AKMY—HB CLAIMS 4 VICTORY, RTO. GENERAL ORDERB—NO. LJ Heanquanrers, Demovonm, Ala., Feb. 26,1564. / The Licutenant General commanding offers pis gon Rratulations to the army om the succeeafal termination of the campaign just closed. ‘The cheerfulness with which the troops have borne thé fatigues and inconveniences of the march, and theig realy acquiescence in the orders directiug heir =e ments, bave entitled them to the commendatior To the firmness and good couduct of the men, and skill and judgment of their officers in enemy's march, the Commanding Genera! ia | securing the Publle stores and depriving the enemy 9 ratlroads aod oth foraging: subsistence, sett csi agen ‘The concentration of our cavalry on his columa of cay. alry from Wost Tennesse formed tho turning point of the campaign, That concentration broke down the only means of sud. sisting bis infantry. His column was defeated routed, and bis whole force compelled to inake a hast retroat. Never did a grand campaign, inongurated wil such pretensious, terminate more iugloricualy. With force three tines’ that which was apposed to ite advatt suey bave boon defoated and forced to leayo the feld with & los# Of mea, small arms and artillery, i Both their columns are retreating before the squadrot of our pursuing cavalry. ‘The Lieutenant Geveral commanding offers bis gratetul thanks to the whole army, and trusts that this open campaign of the new yoor may be an earnest of Ube # cessea which await us in the future, By command of Licuteuans General POLK. Tuos. M. Jack, A. A. @ ARMY OF THE POTOMAC. General Meude’s Return to Hia Come mand—Serious Ratiroad Accidents, &op Tieapquarrers, Ansty or ti Potomac, March 14, 1864. General Meade returned to the army to-day. Hid hoalth seems to be excellent, and the reports in regard to his resigning are said to be without foundation, An accident occurred to the mal train on the Orange aad Alexandria Railroad this evening, a few miles nortly of Brandy Station, causod by the giving way of a brakd on a freight car, which threw the car irom tho track, completely demolishing one and badly damaging tbe others. Tnere were somo horses in the ear which was destroys od, but they escaped with slight bruises. The mail car was thrown down a slight embankment, making a com- plete summersault, and throwing the mali carriers and otnore in tho car into a pile from the front to the boek part. They fell fortunately on a large pile of newspa- pers and mail bags, which eaved them from serfous ine jury. Some of them bad thought of jumping from th¢ cars, but fortunately changed thele minds, as if they had done so some of them would surely have been killed. Aw. it was thoy escaped with alight bruises. H Several soldiers were more or less injured, among whord woreS, J. Hovghtalin, Twentieth New York, one of thé guard on the train, who was badly wounded in the hand; James W. Marsh, slightly;J. G. Cramp, slightly ;Yorgeant Reed, slightly; John Mathews, slightly, ail of the Third Indiana cavairy,and W. Rubm, Fourth New York cavals ry, severoly; also Littiofeld, in the hand. A negro, named- Dennis Paxo, belonging to the Commiseary Department, was standing on a platform, it is said, and failing between the cars was instantly killed, his head being severed from his body and otherwise horribly mutilated, A mum/ bor of others received slight injuries; but the above are all who require medical aid. ‘The train at the timo was going at a rather slow rate speed, othorwise the consequences would have been more * cident occurred on Saturday to a freight trata near the same place, caused by a hand car being left on the track and the engiueor running toto It, throwing #0 cars from the track and injuring a hall @vzeu eoldiers, though none seriously. A member of the Ninoty-third New York,a ang named Rappel, was arrested to-day for uttering “iisloyal seutiments and will be tried by court martin). EAST TENNESSEE. Tho Positions of Longstreet and Bucks ner. Comnertann Gar, March 13, 1864, Information deomed reliable says that General Long- and Gap. Tuelr main forces aro between those two points, aud thoir pickets eight milss abovo Morristown. General Vaughn is at Kogersville, and General Gaing as Long’s Mills, eight miles below Jonesville, Va. THE BOMBARDMENT'OF FORT POWELL. Datiy Report of the Progress of the Work=Three Hundred and Eighty- four Shots Thrown atthe Fort—Thirty= nino Take Effect—Admiral Farragut Of Grant's Pass, &ec. OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE. Orr Grast’s Pass, Fol. 23, 1964. The bombardment of Fort Powell, at Grant’s Pass, which 's tho key to Mobile, was commenced by our mor. tar fleet and gunboats today, A steady fire was kept up to fifty minutos past four P. M., when our vessels ceased firing. The fort fired every balf hour and their guvboats at intervals of forty minutes, Our veese's baye driven the rebel gunbvats a distance up the river. ‘The attack will be renowed to-morrow. ‘SECOND DAY. Feervany 24, 1864. Tho bombardment of Fort Powell was renewed this morn- ing at flye minutes past eight, One gun at the fort has beon dismautied by our shot and shell, nee, Twrive o'Croce BM, Very little dring bas been dove by the fort. Ten Movores Past Five P.M. Up to this timo the fort has been silent. Webave thrown Rebel gunboats keep at a di: three hundre! and eighty-four shot, thirty-nine of which havo struck the fort and done,good execution, The rebel flag still flies from the fort. Admiral Farragut is here. ., The United States ateamer Uctorara is making good work. Fort Powell mast fall, and then the communication with Mobile and Fort Morgan Is cut off, Tho United States gunboat Gertrude fs hero, and acting as signal ship. Firing will be kept up duriag the aight, to prevent the (ort from repairing damages, THIRD DAT. Frorcarv 25—7:10 A. M. Firing was kept up during the night at intervals of half Ron, Oct ‘eet ceased firing at six o'cloc < *nis morn+ ‘dmiral Farragut bas goue to Ship Island. ————— Letter from Clement L. Vatiandigham, THE RECENT ATTACK ON THE OFFICE OF THE DAY~ NN EMPIRG. TO iwpeon, O. March 7, 1606 no & Rrorirens, Dayton, Chins Meaate Tiron] road, eoveral ANys igo, Abe. io ouneement of the “Fi Mtarloughed soldiers.” Loffer you 00 vane for that will avail nothing now or heroafter. pre my profound regret that you were not prepared on the spot, and in the midst of the assault, the plete punishment which the assailants deserved; but am gratified to learn that some of them did sooa afler reccive their deserts, But these eowerdly acts cannot miwaya be guarded against. And they do aot primari- ly come from the ‘soldiers.’ 1s, but one remedy for past and injuries; and that is, instant, pie reprisals apon the persons he men at bome who, by language waye inciting te these culreges. runishment 18 evar futicted uj ments, Retaliation, therofore, is the only aud tho right. ful remedy in times like these. recommend it jn all cages hereafter. announce the falsehood that + both after the destruction has been consimmated. has goue by for obedience without protectiog. decided language, bat the contin ned recurrence outrages—frequevt!y attended with murdor, without redress—demance it. They mus the conmequenbes be what they may eases are How the only way loft order. News * The opposition at day wilh say buudres