FROM GEN. GRANT’S ADANCE COLUMN.
Latest from Island No. 10, Saturday Night.
MORTAR FIRING STILL IN PROGRESS.
Prof. Steiner’s Balloon Reconoisance.
Special to the Chicago Tribune.
CAIRO, March 22.
A member of the 4th Illinois cavalry, just arrived from Savannah, says, that on Sunday morning companies M. L and I, Maj. Bowman commanding, left their encampment at Pittsburg to make a reconnoisance in the vicinity of Purdy, which was being fortified by the enemy.
They proceeded ten miles through the forest and swamp, when they met a body of cavalry numbering one hundred, concerning whose presence in that vicinity they were previously informed by a rebel who mistook our forces for Confederates. The rebels fired upon our boys when within a distance of two hundred yards, but did no damage, their shot going a long way overhead. – The squadron then formed in line of battle and gave the rebels a volley, upon which they retreated, with the loss of one of their captains. Two hundred yards farther on they formed in line a second time. Lieut. Chapin, of Chicago, was ordered to charge with Co. L., which he did with great gallantry, and the rebels were a second time routed. Several attempts were made by the Confederate officers to induce their men to make another stand, but without success. They were badly intimidated and uncontrollable.
Major Bowman, fearing that a further advance might lead his forces into ambuscade, ordered his men to retire to camp.
On Sunday evening the same companies, with a portion of the Ohio 5th infantry, under command of Col. Taylor, were ordered to perfect the reconnoisance. They commenced in the morning, and when about the same distance out, met a body of Confederate cavalry on their way to Pittsburgh, with the intention of surprising and cutting off our camp. The rebels fired a single volley, as before, too high, and the three companies of the 4th Illinois cavalry, under command of Capt. Dodge, were ordered to charge the enemy. They did so, and delivered a well directed fire in their midst, with what result could not be ascertained on account of darkness.
The rebels retreated along the road which here runs diagonally, and when within a short distance from our left, where was stationed Co. I, halted, and saying to our boys, “for God’s sake don’t fire into your brothers,” immediately discharged a volley, killing none, but wounding four.
Company I returned their fire, and the rebels fled in great confusion. Two of our boys were taken prisoners. The casualties of the enemy are unknown. The next day, on visiting the scene of the skirmish, there were found scattered over the ground hats, spurs, boots, sabres, pistols, dead horses, and the earth and leaves covered with blood, showing that our forces had done good execution in their midst.
The enemy removed their dead and wounded under cover of darkness. While examining the battle field, the advance guard shot a fleeing rebel scout and captured two prisoners.
The Lexington arrived this morning from Tennessee river, and reports that our forces are scattering into the country round about Savannah, accomplishing nothing of importance besides the occasional capture of the enemy’s scouts, and the bring into our lines of prominent rebels charged with assisting the Confederates with money and provisions.
Our forces have entire possession of the Memphis and Charleston RR. In the vicinity of Savannah, and reinforcements cannot be sent to Memphis and other points threatened on the Mississippi by that channel of communications at least.
Gen. McClernand and his division were at Savannah.
Gen. Grant had established his headquarters at Pittsburgh.
LATER.
The New York Tribune correspondent has this moment arrived from Island No. 10, and reports that up to 11 o’clock to-day the firing was steady but less rapid than on previous days, and that it was confined to mortars almost exclusively. The gunboats occasionally fired a shot, but nothing like a regular bombardment on their part was attained.
A well-directed shot from one of the mortars cut down the rebel flag flying from the upper battery.
To-morrow, Prof. Steiner, the aeronaut, makes an ascension with a view to ascertain the strength and the character of the enemy’s fortifications.
Gen. Pope has planted a battery on the Missouri shore, opposite Tiptonville, the rebel point of embarkation, five miles below Point Pleasant.
Well informed persons say Beauregard is in command at Island No. ten. It is known that Bragg is at Corinth, Miss.
It is not expected that matters will culminate at the Island for several days.
CAIRO, March 23.
The gunboat Conestoga has just arrived from Island No. Ten, having left the fleet at dark last evening. She returns in an hour. She represents no change in the condition of affairs – the mortar and gun boats firing moderately.
Gen. Prentiss and staff arrived here this morning en route for Savannah. He is ordered to report to Gen. Grant for duty, and will leave on the first boat for the Tennessee river.
The 2d Michigan Artillery and Capt. Powell’s Battery were sent up the Tennessee yesterday, as were also four transports with troops from Benton Barracks.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 25, 1862, p. 1
No comments:
Post a Comment