connected it with the abutment, and strong 14-inch flooring laid over the whole. In consequence of the precipitous nature of the opposite side we omitted the crib, and put in a heavy sill. The approach and débouché having been completed, the boats were moved out to their positions connecting with the bent on the east, and secured fore and aft to a heavy 2-inch sheet-line. Four 6 by 9-inch stringers, 25 feet in length, were secured to the sill upon the opposite side, and extending down rested upon the boat stringers 11 feet from the end of the boat; a double flooring being laid upon this, a railing constructed and pumps in position, the bridge was completed, and the command commenced moving over at 5 p. m. The cavalry, two brigades of infantry, with some artillery, passed, when a sudden stoppage at the west end of the bridge caused some heavy guns, with infantry, &c., to stop on the center of the bridge, springing the bulk-heads and causing the boats to leak badly. Repairs being necessary, the balance of the command was bivouacked upon the east side of the river. The boat was raised and repaired, light sprung bents placed under the bulk-heads fore, aft, and center, supported by a light pontoon-boat on each side. The Third and Fourth Divisions moved from Hurricane Creek to Ratliff's plantation over roads similar to that traveled yesterday. February 26, bridge guards having been placed with proper instructions, the column commenced moving over at daylight. The Third Brigade moved nearly west over a good road. Country well settled and cultivated to Canton, the county seat of Madison County, a town of 2,000 inhabitants before the war. Houses mostly of wood; some few very fine residences of brick; streets regular; yards well laid out, showing taste and wealth; county buildings neat and substantial. Madison County is considered one of the wealthiest counties in the State, with good soil and almost unbounded resources. Length of march, 114 miles. The Third Division encamped about 1 miles east of town, and Fourth Division at Terry's plantation, about 1 miles west of river. In accordance with your orders, I remained at the bridge with the Third Division pioneer corps, having sent the Fourth Division corps with the advance. February 27, in accordance with your order, I left written instructions with Colonel Hall as to the manner in which the bridge should be destroyed, and at 12 m, moved forward with Third Division pioneer corps, arriving at Canton at 4.30 p. m. The Fourth Division pioneer corps, under Captain Merritt, are destroying railroad stock. February 28, pioneer corps, with infantry details, destroying railroad and railroad stock. In accordance with your order, I made a reconnaissance of the Sharon roads for about 4 miles northeasterly. February 29, pioneer corps still at work on railroad. In accordance with your order, I made a sketch of roads leading from Canton to Livingston, Vernon, &c., for use of General Hurlbut. Weather, which has been fine since leaving Meridian, suddenly changed and became quite cold, with light rain. Third Division pioneer corps accompanied train which left this morning. March 1, the army commenced moving toward Vicksburg this morning, the Sixteenth Army Corps taking the advance. The Seventeenth Army Corps commenced moving out of Canton about 1 p. m. on the Livingston road. Cold, disagreeable rain-storm.. Moved over a rich, rolling country, and encamped on a small creek and swamp 6 miles from Canton. Camping-ground on west side. Water good and convenient. Forage and provisions scarce. March 2, command commenced moving at daylight for a few miles over rich, rolling country, with fine plantations. Passing through Livingston, a town of about half a dozen frame houses, 13 miles from Canton, we entered a more hilly oak and pine country. Roads up to this point were very heavy on account of rain. Moving on slowly, encamped about 2 miles east of Bogue Chitto. Good camping-ground, but water poor and inconvenient. No forage or provisions to be found. Weather clear and pleasant. Length of march, 15 miles. About 14 miles east of Livingston there is a very bad, swampy tract, about one-half mile in extent, with raised corduroy road, bridges, &c.; would be very easily obstructed and rendered impassable. March 3, at daylight the Fourth Division pioneer corps proceeded to reconstruct and strengthen the bridge across Bogue Chitto, and repair and corduroy road upon west side. Command commenced moving at 7 a. m. After all had crossed the bridge was destroyed. Our route to-day was over high, rolling country, several fine plantations, but little signs of cultivation. About 1 p. m. passed through Brownsville, a small, wooden town with few inhabitants, 31 miles from Canton. The roads were quite heavy, having been considerably cut up by the train, which passed over them during the rain. We encamped on good ground on Hall's plantation. Water scarce. No forage or provisions in the country. Weather clear and pleasant. Length of march, 18 miles. March 4, command commenced moving at 6 o'clock southwest over good road; high, rolling country; 5 miles to intersection of main Vicksburg and Jackson road, and thence west on Vicksburg and Jackson road over a low, flat country to Big Black River, crossing pontoon bridge built in January. The Fourth Division moved to their old camping-ground near Hebron's. The First Brigade, Third Division, remained at the bridge. The Second and Third Brigades, Third Division, and Third Brigade, First Division, moved on into Vicksburg, 14 miles. Length of march, 25 miles. Recapitulation of distances traveled.-Fourteen miles from Vicksburg to Big Black River; 32 miles from Big Black River to Jackson; 50 miles from Jackson to Hillsborough; 25 miles from Hillsborough to Decatur; 294 miles from Decatur to Meridian; total, 151 miles from Vicksburg to Meridian; 19 miles from Meridian to Enterprise; 13 miles from Enterprise to Quitman; 32 miles from Meridian to Quitman; 55 miles from Meridian to Hillsborough; 38 miles from Hillsborough to Canton; 31 miles from Canton to Brownsville; 20 miles from Brownsville to Big Black bridge; 14 miles from Big Black to Vicksburg; 3734 miles, total distance marched from Vicksburg to Quitman and return. Recapitulation of work performed by the pioneer corps of the Third and Fourth Divisions.-One thousand two hundred and ten feet of bridging; 23,740 feet of corduroying. The men of the pioneer corps worked cheerfully and faithfully whenever called upon, and I am very much indebted to the pioneer and engineer officers and assistants for their prompt and energetic co-operation. Very respectfully submitted. A. HICKENLOOPER, Capt. Fifth Ohio Battery, and Chief Eng., 17th Army Corps. Maj. Gen. J. B. MCPHERSON. [Inclosure.] Summary statement of railroad and contraband property destroyed on the late expedition to Meridian, Miss. Report of Capt. Lucius M. Rose, Chief Acting Signal Officer, of expedition to Meridian. HDQRS. SIGNAL DETACHMENT, 17TH ARMY CORPS, Vicksburg, Miss., March 8, 1864. CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report as follows for the month of February: On 1st, busily at work preparing for the march. On 2d, got all ready for a start; expect orders every moment to march. On 3d, received marching orders for 7 a. m.; were ready on time and reported to General McPherson, at Black River, as ordered. Camped near Edwards' Depot. On 4th, things looked like fight this a. m., and I took party and went to the front. A very short distance brought us in contact with the enemy. They consisted of two brigades of cavalry, commanded by Generals Wirt Adams and S. W. Ferguson. The fighting during the day was almost continuous. The loss on our side was about 30 killed and wounded, principally from the Fifteenth Illinois and Thirty-second Ohio. We were on duty constantly on the advance skirmish line, and did some good service in reconnoitering the enemy's position, as they changed from one hill to another. We pointed out to the general their artillery in every instance before they could open on our lines. Quite a number of messages were transmitted to-day. Lieutenants Stickney and Dunlap had the right, Lieutenants Scott and Hurt the left, and I took the center in company with the officer commanding the skirmishers. On 5th, heavy skirmishing all day; loss very light. Pointed out the enemy's artillery to-day just in time to save a raking shot into our column, as they were moving by the flank. The enemy had seven pieces of artillery in position to rake the road. The guns were discovered and reported by Lieutenant Scott, who was at the time some distance in advance of the skirmisher-. Our cavalry dashed into Jackson after dark, getting in the rear of the enemy, compelling them to retreat on the Canton road; also preventing the destruction of the rebel pontoon bridge across Pearl River. Camped in Jackson. On 6 h, remained in camp at Jackson awaiting the completion of bridge. On 7th, took the advance, and went into Brandon in advance of the cavalry. Had a spirited chase after some rebel cavalry; captured the post adjutant; went on 6 miles with the cavalry; had some heavy skirmishing; returned to Brandon at night to report to General McPherson. Camped at Brandon. On 8th, marched 18 miles; skirmishing light to-day, the rebels not having forgotten the lesson they received on yesterday from cavalry. Camped within 7 miles of Morton. On 9th, started in advance for Morton. The Signal Corps had a skirmish with the enemy, driving them from the town and capturing the post and telegraph office. Camped here. On 10th, in camp waiting for Sixteenth Army Corps to pass us. I asked permission to take the advance of Sixteenth Army Corps, but General McPherson said he wanted us, and if the Sixteenth wanted signal officers they must furnish them. Passed through Hillsborough. Camped 3 miles beyond that place. On 11th, in the morning received orders to take detachment and accompany a cavalry expedition off on the flank to Lake Station for the purpose of destroying the public property, consisting of machineshop, cars, locomotives, &c. While the cavalry were fighting the rebels the Signal Corps went through the town like a dose of salts, and just as we were leaving I noticed a man hunting around to get some one to make an affidavit that there had been a town there. Property destroyed valued at $1,000,000. On 12th, marched 16 miles; camped at Decatur. On 13th, marched 15 miles; camped 16 miles from Meridian. On 15th, rained all day; entered Meridian at 12 o'clock. Took possession of a house, and proceeded to dry ourselves and make ourselves as comfortable as possible. On 16th, remained in camp. On 17th, remained in camp. On 20th, marched at daylight for Canton. We had the advance, and had some skirmishing. The corps is all the cavalry on this road, and the general finds plenty for us to do. On 21st, marched 11 miles, camping at Decatur. No rebels today. On 22d, started in advance of everything to go through to our trains, which had been left back, and which had not been heard from for several days. Reached the trains at 12 o'clock, having made 28 miles. On 23d, camped at Hillsborough, rebels all around the town. On 24th, started on Canton road, heavy skirmishing all day. Marched 18 miles. On 25th, went to Pearl River. Opened communication across the river. Engineers building bridge. On 26th, marched to Canton. This is one of the finest towns in the south; about 2,500 inhabitants. About 400 ladies here, refugees from Memphis and other places; very lively for signal officers. On 27th, ordered out with cavalry on reconnaissance, and found the enemy about 1 mile out, and fought them all day; drove them 7 miles; saw several splendid cavalry charges. On 28th, camped at Canton; spent the time very pleasantly. On 29th, started for Vicksburg. Before we got out of the town two brigades of rebel cavalry entered the other side, and we had a brisk fight in the streets. Heavy skirmishing all day. March 1, skirmishing all day. Beautiful country for signaling; rolling prairie. Did some work to-day. On 2d, fighting all day. Set a trap for the rebels, but they did not bite. On 3d, reached Black River at 11 o'clock; was ordered to go to Vicksburg on our own hook. Arrived in camp at this place at 4 p. m. L. M. ROSE,. Capt., and Chief Acting Signal Officer, 17th Army Corps. Capt. O. H. HOWARD, Chief Signal Officer. No. 17. Report of Brig. Gen. Alexander Chambers, U. S. Army, commanding Third Brigade, First Division, of expedition to Meridian. HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, Vicksburg, March 7, 1864. SIR: In accordance with instructions received from headquarters Seventeenth Army Corps, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Third Brigade, First Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, during the recent raid: Number of miles marched, 340; number of miles of railroad destroyed, 6; number of bridges destroyed, 1; number of feet of trestle-work destroyed, 165. The pioneer corps of Fourth Division, in charge of Captain Merritt, having reported to me at Canton, Miss., and under my direction, destroyed 19 locomotives, 18 railroad cars, and also a large number of car-wheels and trucks. The number of men killed, 2; the number of men wounded, 2; the number of men missing are: 1 commissioned officer and 13 enlisted men. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. Col. W. T. CLARK, Assistant Adjutant-General. |