to the boats, which I reached at 11 p. m., having marched over 40 miles in the afternoon, on my return to the boats. I found 25 fat hogs at the plantation of Dr. L. L. Taylor, on Deer Creek, that had been purchased by Captain Price, for which he paid $1,250, but was arrested before getting them out of the pen. I also found a negro man with a large cotton wagon, drawn by six oxen, at this plantation, who had just returned from Catfish Point, having hauled a load of goods to that place for a rebel captain, for the purpose of having them taken across the river into Arkansas that night. I immediately took possession of the team and hogs, and brought them with me to the boats. At the same time sent a messenger to Captain Conner, of the ram Monarch, lying off Greenville, to run up the river as far as Catfish Point to look after the goods and ferry. On the following day he reported the capture of a large quantity of salt and the destruction of two large ferry flats of sufficient capacity to cross artillery. These flats were entirely new, and were ingeniously hid from view by being sunk in about 4 feet water by means of barrels of sand, and never could have been discovered but for information received from a deserter from Price's army, who gave himself up. On the 5th, landed the mounted infantry, Maj. D. S. Tallerday commanding, at Sunny Side, Ark., and directed him to proceed to Lake Village, county seat of Chicot County, where he arrested one Captain Gaines, Company G, Twenty-third Arkansas Infantry, and 5 enlisted men belonging to the same regiment, who were evidently engaged in burning cotton and enforcing the conscription. He also captured some valuable stock and met the fleet at Luna Landing the same night. I left the Monarch and Horner at Greenville to protect navigation. On the 6th, landed the cavalry, Capt. O. F. Brown commanding, at Gaines' Landing, and he proceeded out in the direction of Monticello, Ark., about 15 miles, and thence up the river and met the fleet at Campbell's plantation at 5 p. m., having captured some mules. At 8 o'clock the same night I learned that a party of soldiers were in camp about 5 miles back from the river, waiting for an opportunity to cross over into Mississippi. I immediately sent out a party, in charge of Lieutenant Markle, Company E, First Infantry, and about 10 o'clock they returned with Lieutenant Brailsford (with a rebel mail) and 1 enlisted man belonging to Whitfield's Texas Legion. On the 7th, landed the mounted infantry at the same place, with instructions to operate isolated (as companies) and effectually scout the country as far back from the river as possible. The parties returned soon after dark, bringing in several prisoners, among whom was a rebel mail-carrier making his way to the river to cross that night. They also brought in some stock. On the 8th, landed the cavalry, Capt. O. F. Brown commanding, at Glencoe, Miss., and put off the mounted infantry, Major Tallerday commanding, on the Arkans s shore just opposite. The cavalry came in at Bolivar Landing late in the afternoon, having accomplished but little. The infantry, however, continued on up the river to Napoleon, where I met them with the fleet on the following day. They captured many prisoners and a rebel mail-carrier with over 200 pounds of mail, among which were a large quantity of official documents from Richmond, directed to some of the most prominent generals in the Trans Mississippi Department. They also captured and brought in 2 men, Barker and Keefe, cotton card manufacturers, with a cotton_ machine complete, which they had recently bought at Macon and Savannah, Ga., which cost them $8,000. They crossed the river but a short time prior to their capture, and were en route to Camden, Ark., where the machine was to be used in making cloth for the army. On the 9th, learning that the guerrillas had burned the steamer Allen Collier that had landed opposite Laconia, Ark., a day or two previous, I immediately left Napoleon for that place, intending to ferret out the marauding party, landing at the mouth of White River for wood. I found a portion of the Allen Collier's crew that had been arrested and were subsequently released, who informed me the boat was burned by Montgomery's guerrilla band, and knowing that Montgomery and a portion of his company, numbering about 40 or 50 men, lived on Bayou Phalia, in Bolivar County, Miss., and owned plantations, I resolved to return at once with my command to Beulah Landing and break up the party. On the following morning, November 10, I left the boats at 7 o'clock with a small cavalry force and proceeded to the bayou, a distance of some 10 miles, when I arrested one of the party and learned from him that the company was still some distance from there in the canebrakes, and knowing the impossibility of overtaking them I went to Montgomery's plantation, where I found the family of General Charles Clark, C. S. Army, also the family of Montgomery, and after removing the furniture from the house, I set it on fire. I also burned the cotton gin and out-houses; in fact, everything but the negro quarters. I informed Mrs. Montgomery it was done by way of retaliation for her husband burning the steamer Collier a few days previous. She replied, "This is no more than I expected when I heard what my husband had done.' I also obtained the names of some of his company who own plantations in that vicinity and notified them, through the present occupants of the plantations, that if another overt act should be committed by that company I would serve them as I had Montgomery, their captain. We destroyed several yawls and flat-boats along the road that were being hauled to the river every night in a wagon and used in ferrying, then taken back in the woods, and came to their former hiding place before daylight in the morning. We also arrested and brought in several prisoners, among whom were three citizens, mail-carriers, with each a small package of mail destined for Arkansas. We reached Bolivar Landing, Miss., about dark, where we met the fleet, having marched about 35 miles. I also have the honor to inform you that large quantities of corn in cribs, of last year's growth, and hundreds of acres grown this year, and now standing in the field, can be procured within 5 miles of the river and in some places immediately on its banks. I also learn that parties with trading boats along the river are dealing in cotton and furnishing the citizens with supplies and other necessi ties. I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant, Brig. Gen. ALFRED W. ELLET, Commanding Marine Brigade. OCTOBER 26, 1863.-Skirmish at Vincent's Cross-Roads, near Bay Springs, Miss. REPORTS. No. 1.-Report of Capt. John W. Barnes, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 1. Report of Capt. John W. Barnes, Acting Assistant Adjutant General. CORINTH, MISS., Spencer yesterday, at 2 p. m., was attacked some 40 miles southeast of Glendale, in the direction of Jones' Cross-Roads. The messenger reports the rebel force, supposed to be Hanner's [?] and others, at 2,000 strong. Spencer had about 500.* He is said to be getting the worst of the fight. Shall I send the cavalry at Corinth to his aid? Respectfully, JOHN W. BARNES, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. No. 2. Report of Brig. Gen. Samuel W. Ferguson, C. S. Army. HEADQUARTERS BRIGADE, Near Courtland, Ala., October 31, 1863. GENERAL: I have the honor to report that, pursuant to verbal orders from yourself, I left camp at Cane Creek shortly after dark on the evening of the 25th instant with two regiments of my brigade (the Second Tennessee, Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, and the Second Alabama, Colonel Earl), for the purpose of intercepting a raiding party of the enemy reported to be on their return from Walker County, Ala. Traveled all night, and at sunrise next morning halted and fed my horses at a ford of Bear Creek, about 2 miles above Mann's Mills. After a delay of two hours for this purpose, I pushed the command across Bear Creek and on to the Fulton and luka road. Here, as there was no sign of the enemy's having passed, I turned toward Fulton, and after reaching the intersection of this road with that to Bay Springs, I sent one squadron in the latter direction for the purpose of holding. the enemy in check, should they move toward that point, and preventing their escape. With the remainder of my force (about 300 effective men) I moved toward the Bull Mountain country. After pursuing this road about 3 miles I received the first positive information of the position of the enemy from a scout I had sent out, who reported them advancing on the same road. I immediately sent to recall the squadron previously ordered to Bay Springs, * First Alabama Cavalry (Union). and continued the march until the advance guards met and skirmishing began-about 1.30 p. m. The enemy were formed in thick woods across the road, with an open field in front, through which, swept as it was by two pieces of light artillery planted in the road, I had to advance to the attack. As rapidly as possible I formed my lines, had the men dismounted, and attacked the enemy, who were soon driven back by the Second Tennessee, under the able and gallant leadership of Lieutenant-Colonel Morton, and a portion of the Second Alabama. As soon as the horses could be brought up the fleeing enemy were hotly pursued and their retreat converted into a wild panic. The chase was kept up for some 10 miles through dense woods and over a mountainous country until dark. Their perfect knowledge and our ignorance of the country enabled most of them, however, to escape by separating into small squads and leaving the road. It may be proper to remark that before the engagement began I had met Major Moreland, with his battalion, and ordered him to get in rear of the enemy on a road leading from their left flank to Bay Springs, of the existence of which he informed me, stating it was the only road by which they could escape, except directly back into Alabama. Had my instructions been strictly and energetically followed, few of the enemy would have escaped. With a loss of 2 killed and 11 wounded, I have succeeded in effectually destroying the First Alabama Tory Regiment. Up to the time I left, the enemy's loss, as far as could be ascertained, was 20 killed, including 2 captains, the adjutant of the regiment, and 1 first lieutenant; 9 wounded, including 1 first lieutenant mortally, and 29 prisoners. The woods was so dense and the fight kept up for so great a distance that many killed and wounded were not found. I do not think the number would fall short of 100 in all. I captured 2 pieces of artillery, 5 stand of colors, 60 elegant breech-loading carbines, with an ample supply of ammunition for present purposes, 25 Colt hostler pistols, 10 pack-saddles, 52 horses and mules, and 56 saddles. I have received no report from Major Moreland, but understand he has collected a large number of prisoners, horses, mules, &c. My force scarcely equaled that of the enemy. I am indebted to the officers and men of the command for gallant conduct and cheerful endurance of hardship and hunger on this scout; but to Lieutenant-Colonel Morton and Maj. H. W. Bridges more than a passing tribute is due. The former led his gallant band with a cool skill and determination, admirable in the extreme, until knocked from his horse by a spent ball. The latter was, as usual, foremost in the fight, everywhere inspiring and encouraging the men and officers. With his own hand he killed 1 and wounded and captured several other Yankees. His horse was shot under him and his coat pierced by a bullet, an evidence of the close character of the fight. To the officers of my staff who were present-Captain Nugent, assistant adjutant-general; Captain Irwin, assistant inspector-general; Lieutenant Tomlinson, aide-de-camp, and Lieutenant Richardson, picket officer-I am indebted for zealous and efficient discharge of duty in gallant style. Maj. Gen. S. D. LEE. S. W. FERGUSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. OCTOBER 26-29, 1863.-Reopening of the Tennessee River, including Skir mish (27th) at Brown's Ferry and Engagement (28th and 29th) at Wauhatchie, Tenn. REPORTS.* No. 1.-Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Cumberland, with field dispatches and congratulatory orders. No. 2.-Charles A. Dana, Assistant Secretary of War. No. 3.-Return of Casualties in the Union forces at Wauhatchie. No. 4.-Brig. Gen. William F. Smith, U. S. Army, Chief Engineer, Department of the Cumberland. No. 5.-Col. Timothy R. Stanley, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry. No. 6.-Itinerary of the First Division, Fourth Army Corps. No. 7.-Brig. Gen. William B. Hazen, U. S. Army, commanding Second Brigade, Third Division. No. 8.-Lieut. Col. James C. Foy, Twenty-third Kentucky Infantry. No. 9.-Lieut. Col. Bassett Langdon, First Ohio Infantry. No. 10.-Col. Aquila Wiley, Forty-first Ohio Infantry. No. 11.-Maj. William Birch, Ninety-third Ohio Infantry. No. 12.-Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, U. S. Army, commanding Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps, with congratulatory orders. No. 13.-Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard, U. S. Army, commanding Eleventh Army Corps. No. 14.-Surg. Daniel G. Brinton, U. S. Army, Medical Director. No. 15.-Brig. Gen. Adolph von Steinwehr, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division. No. 16.-Itinerary of the First Brigade, Col. Adolph Buschbeck commanding. No. 21.-Maj. Gen. Carl Schurz, U. S. Army, commanding Third Division. No. 24.-Brig. Gen. John W. Geary, U. S. Army, commanding Second Division, No. 25.-Col. George A. Cobham, jr., One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry, commanding Second Brigade. No. 26.-Col. William Rickards, jr., Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry. No. 27.-Capt. Frederick L. Gimber, One hundred and ninth Pennsylvania Infan try. No. 28.-Lieut. Col. Thomas M. Walker, One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry. No. 29.-Brig. Gen. George S. Greene, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade. No. 30.-Col. David Ireland, One hundred and thirty-seventh New York Infantry, commanding Third Brigade. No. 31.-Itinerary of the Third Brigade. No. 32.-Lieut. Col. Herbert von Hammerstein, Seventy-eighth New York Infan try. No. 33.-Capt. Milo B. Eldridge, One hundred and thirty-seventh New York In fantry. *See also General Grant's report, Part II, pp. · |