Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 257. — Report of Col. Alfred A. Russell, Fourth Alabama Cavalry, of operations October 26, 1864-January 17, 1865.

No. 257.

Report of Col. Alfred A. Russell, Fourth Alabama Cavalry,

of operations October 26, 1864-January 17, 1865.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ALABAMA REGIMENT CAVALRY,        

January 17, 1865

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of services rendered since the 26th day of October, 1864:

In obedience to orders from army headquarters, 1 crossed the Tennessee River with my regiment on the 29th day of October, 1864, at Sublett's Ferry, two miles south of Bellefonte, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. During one month's service in Madison and Jackson Counties the railroad was cut at different places on an average of twice every week, destroying half a mile each time.

After the evacuation of Decatur my command pursued the retreating enemy from Huntsville to within fourteen miles of Stevenson (distance, forty-five miles), capturing about 450 negroes and 250 wagons, 1 train of cars and engine, which was taken possession of by Lieutenant-Colonel Windes, of General Roddey's command, and causing the enemy to destroy another train, the engine falling into our hands; also a large lot of iron, medical, commissary, quartermaster's, and ordnance stores were captured at Huntsville; all of which property was restored to the owners or turned over to Brigadier-General Roddey. My command, during the period, killed 48 of the enemy and captured 52 horses, in addition to the above specified.

The enemy did not occupy the Memphis and Charleston Railroad for a period of about two weeks, and that road might have been destroyed by the troops Brigadier-General Roddey had upon it to within twelve miles of Stevenson. In compliance with orders from Major-General Forrest, I would have brought to the army not less than 1,500 men, who are now within the lines and their services lost to the country, but for the contrary influence of some of the staff officers of Brigadier-General Roddey and S. D. Cabaniss, inspector of conscription. My loss, 1 man killed and 2 wounded.

Respectfully submitted.

A. A. RUSSELL,        

Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

        Major MASON,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of Tennessee.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 775-6

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 256. — Report of Brig. Gen. Philip D. Roddey, C. S. Army, commanding District of North Alabama, of operations December 1-15, 1864.

No. 256.

Report of Brig. Gen. Philip D. Roddey, C. S. Army, commanding District of North Alabama,

of operations December 1-15, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH ALABAMA,        

Tuscumbia, Ala., December 15, 1864.

COLONEL: Your communication dated Selma, October 23, was received by me on the 12th instant. In answer to inquiries which it contained, and for the information of the lieutenant-general commanding, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 1st of October ultimo, of copy of General Orders, No. 118, from department headquarters, dated September 24, 1864, defining the territorial limits of the District of North Alabama and assigning me to command of the same. Since the receipt of this order, my reports and other official communications have been forwarded to department headquarters with as much promptness and regularity as circumstances would allow. The presence of the Army of Tennessee in my district, and the necessity which has existed since its arrival for me to communicate and co-operate with General Hood, has prevented my communicating with department headquarters as frequently as I could have desired. The condition of affairs in the extreme northeastern portion of my district, and the nature of information recently received from General Hood, have rendered it necessary that the whole of my available force should be concentrated at a point somewhat remote from the present terminus of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and other established means of communicating with department headquarters. The following statements will explain more fully the present condition of my command:

About the first of the present month I was directed by General Hood to destroy that part of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad between Decatur and Stevenson. To do this it became necessary for me to move a portion of my troops from Cherokee and vicinity. I had already received orders from General Beauregard to rebuild the railroad from Cherokee to Tuscumbia, and one regiment of my command had been employed on this work before General Hood arrived in the district.

On the 5th instant I was again directed by General Hood to destroy the Memphis and Charleston Railroad to Stevenson, and the Nashville and Chattanooga road from Stevenson to Murfreesborough, Tenn. To carry out these instructions I have been compelled to withdraw such of my troops as were stationed in the vicinity of Corinth and at Grand Junction and transfer them to the new field of operations, which is being done as rapidly as possible, in view of the great extent of territory over which they had been distributed.

I have already two regiments and a battalion beyond Decatur watching the movements of a considerable force of the enemy which appeared at Paint Rock Station, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, about the 5th instant, my object being to hold them in check until the remainder of my troops can be brought up. As soon as this is done I shall endeavor to drive this force from the line of the railroad and complete its destruction, as directed by General Hood. From the best information I can obtain the enemy is endeavoring to hold the road from Paint Rock to Stevenson, a distance of about fifty miles, with a force made up of the troops recently employed to garrison Decatur, Huntsville, Cowan's Station, and Decherd, and a small force from Chattanooga. There are also at least five gun-boats on the river above Decatur. From these, however, I anticipate but little inconvenience I succeeded on the morning of the 12th instant, after an engagement of less than an hour, in driving back three gun-boats that appeared at Decatur. I had with me at the time only a section of smooth-bore six-pounder guns and a few sharpshooters. I shall probably be able to employ guns of heavier caliber and longer range in case another opportunity for engaging them occurs.

Two engines and twenty-eight freight-cars were captured by my troops on the 2d instant near Huntsville. These are now running between Huntsville, Athens, and Decatur. The repairs on the road between Cherokee and Decatur are being pushed forward as rapidly as possible, and by the time they are completed I hope to have succeeded in getting the captured engines across the river. Boats suitable for this purpose are now being constructed. General Hood expects to have the road from near Nashville to Pulaski in running order very soon, and every effort will be made by me to have the road from Cherokee to Decatur put in order at once. The railroad iron referred to in your communication as being needed for the repairing of one of the roads near Meridian, cannot now be procured between Tuscumbia and Decatur. It can be taken, however, from the road east of Huntsville, provided the necessity of which you speak still exists. A considerable time must elapse, though, before the iron can be sent from Decatur.

My present purpose is to move from Huntsville on the 20th instant with my whole available force (which, leaving out one regiment to be left at Decatur, is about 1,500 men) on Murfreesborough by the way of Stevenson. In the event of my penetrating as far as Murfreesborough my command will, I presume, be deemed by General Hood as under his orders and subject to his control. I shall endeavor, however, to keep the lieutenant-general commanding advised of my movements, &c.

Before concluding I desire to call the attention of the department commander to certain matters touching the condition of affairs in portions of my district. I regret to state that recent developments have established the fact of the existence of a large amount of disaffection and disloyalty in that portion of the district lying north of the Tennessee River and recently in the possession of the enemy. This feeling has manifested itself since the removal of General Hood's army in acts of violence against the persons and property of loyal citizens. Murders, robberies, and arson have been of frequent occurrence in various parts of the district, and I am convinced that the interests of our cause and the safety of the loyal people of the district demand the immediate adoption of vigorous measures toward such persons as may engage in or connive at the commission of outrages of the kind above alluded to. The removal of my troops in the direction already indicated will, it is feared, be taken advantage of by disloyal persons, and result in loss of life and property to such as have been heretofore protected by the presence of an armed force. It is my purpose before going to Huntsville to make a few examples, which, I trust, will have a salutary effect; and I would urge upon the lieutenant-general commanding the adoption of such measures as may suggest themselves to him as conducive to the end in view. The organization of the reserves in the counties north of the Tennessee River, and increased vigilance and energy on the part of conscript officers and officers in charge of “supporting force," cannot be too strongly urged. You may feel assured that I shall omit no effort to secure an efficient co-operation on the part of my command with the Army of Tennessee. I have established and will continue to keep up regular communication with General Hood's army by means of couriers, though the necessity of doing so has occasioned me serious inconvenience, in reducing the available strength of my command. I hope soon to establish telegraphic communication with the army by the way of Decatur and Athens.

In view of the imperfect condition of the mail arrangements on the lines of railroad between Cherokee and Meridian, I would suggest the propriety of sending special messengers with dispatches, &c., or the adoption of such other measures as will secure their prompt transmission.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. D. RODDEY,        

Brigadier-General.

Lieut. Col. E. SURGET,
        Assistant A djutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 773-5

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: Saturday, October 3, 1863

Last night some guerrillas made a demonstration on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, burning a bridge between Chewalla, Tenn., and Corinth. In the evening we receive marching orders with camp and garrison equipage, destination Chewalla, to relieve the Eighteenth Missouri, now stationed there guarding the railroad.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 198

Diary of Private Daniel L. Ambrose: June 7, 1863

The work of evacuating the Mobile and Ohio Railroad is now going on. Having been ordered to move again with camp and garrison equipage, we this morning long before it is light, take the train for Corinth. The Twelfth Illinois having been ordered to Pocahontas, Tennessee, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, our regiment is quartered in their barracks. The Twelfth had things arranged in style, so that everything presents a good appearance; the locality is fine, having a beautiful view of the romantic looking Corinth, and the battle field of October 4th, 1862.

SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 171

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, January 9, 1863

It is reported in camp that we are soon to go to Memphis for duty. Several cases of smallpox have broken out in the camp of the Sixteenth Iowa Regiment. All who had not been vaccinated before had to take their medicine. The country along the Charleston & Memphis Railroad from Memphis to Iuka, a distance of about one hundred miles, and for some miles on either side of the line where our armies are in camp and on the march, has been laid waste and is almost desolate. The men are desperate enough for anything. Vacant houses on plantations or in towns and villages have been burned. Many of these were substantial buildings with stone chimneys, which generally remained standing after the burnings. These the boys hilariously spoke of as headstones and on passing them would call out: “Here stands another Tennessee headstone,” or a “Mississippi headstone,” as the case might be.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 92-3

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, December 31, 1862

We left our bivouac at 6 a. m. and entered the town of Moscow at 7 and were then ordered to move to Lafayette, Tennessee, on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad thirty-five miles east of Memphis, where we are to guard the railroad. The town is located on the Wolf river and is surrounded by heavy timber.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 90

From Halleck’s Army

CAIRO, May 8.

No engagement had occurred at Corinth up to yesterday noon.  The army was still gradually advancing, and our forces were at an average distance of three miles from the enemy’s advance.  The enemy were acting strictly on the defensive, and for three days had sent out no reconnoitering parties.  The advanced lines of the rebel army have thus far slowly retired from the advancing movements of the different divisions.  Indications point strongly to the belief that Corinth has really been evacuated.

The roads are in bad condition owning to a late fall of rain.

It was reported that three brigades from Buell’s army had seized that part of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad which lies midway between Corinth and Grand Junction, thus cutting off communication between the two points.  It is also reported that a detachment of Pope’s army has seized upon the railroad south of Corinth.  It is highly probably that these two achievements have been performed.

Every steamer that arrives brings reports of the evacuation of Corinth.

The steamer Desoto reached here to-day from Fort Pillow, but brought no later news than that already telegraphed.

A rebel spy had been captured while endeavoring to cross the Mississippi at night in a skiff.  He had copies of the Chicago Times of the 4th inst., St. Louis Republican of the 5th inst., and N. Y. Times of the 1st.  He was arrested and placed in close confinement.

The steamer Sam Gaty passed her to-day en route for Pittsburg, with a number of physicians, nurses, and a large quantity of hospital supplies on board.  She has on board nearly four hundred sick soldiers, who are to be taken to St. Louis.

The railroad track between here and Mound City is being repaired so that the trains will run regularly.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 1

Skirmishing in Tennessee

PITTSBURG, May 3 – 9 P. M.

Hon. E. M. Stanton:– Gen. Paine’s division made a reconnoissance to Farmington to-day; found about 4,500 of the enemy and drove them off in handsome style.  An artillery reconnoissance went to Glendale this A. M. and destroyed tow trestle bridges and sand track on the Memphis and Charleston R. R.  It has been a splendid day’s work for the left wing.  The weather is clear and the roads are becoming good.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 6, 1862, p. 1

The Note of Alarm -- Importance of Holding Memphis

(From the Memphis Avalanche, Feb. 26.)

We are gratified to find that the opinions expressed by us with regard to our proper line of defense in the State, are gradually being accepted by all reflecting minds.  Some of our journals have gone astray on the absurd idea that the enemy intended making their strong demonstration against Nashville, strangely concluding that the capital of our State, on a small stream, was of more value to our foe than the command of the great inland sea.

Last November, some of our most intelligent and sagacious citizens regarded Columbus as the point mostly coveted by the enemy, and urged instant and adequate preparations for its defense.

One of our cotemporaries, the Appeal, with more zeal than wisdom, ridiculed the idea of there being any necessity for such preparation as men of sounder judgment and greater sagacity thought advisable, and did much to dampen that spirit which is always essential for any great emergency.

We are glad to see the Appeal returning to a sensible view of this question of defense, and in so nearly our own language as to convince us that it has derived much benefit from the perusal of our late articles upon the importance of defending the Mississippi river, at all hazards.  Our cotemporaries south of us have never committed the blunder of the Appeal, in supposing that our invaders ever intended making anything like a serious demonstration against this valley by any land route nor have they made the worse blunder of discouraging our people from the active preparation in which consists our safety.  The chief object of the enemy was and is too patent for men of sagacity not to see it, and we may rest assured that the country now properly estimates the importance of the question involved, since the Appeal has at last comprehended it.

As we have said again and again, the enemy’s great blow will be struck in his attempt to gain command of this valley.  If Columbus and Memphis should fall he would have uncontrolled sway for two thousand miles of the richest agricultural region in the world, extending from the lakes of the North to the Gulf of the South.  He can move his gunboats and transports at will – not five miles per day, as he now moves his army on land but fifty or one hundred miles per day.  He will garrison towns as he goes with troops enough to keep down all opposition.  He will thus penetrate the heart of our cotton and sugar region, and it will be no ordinary task to drive him from it.  At least it will not be done till cities, towns, villages, hamlets and private dwellings are laid in ashes, and manhood and womanhood be made to drink the cup of bitterness to the dregs!

It is strange, passing strange, that any citizen of this valley could ever have been deluded as to the chief design of the enemy!  And it is strange – we had almost said criminal – that any respectable journal of the South could be found trying to prevent our people from making that preparation for defense called forth by the magnitude of the interests at stake on both sides.

Let Nashville fall, as it probably must but that need not create the panic which now seems really to have seized upon some of our people, a panic which most unfortunately has not been allayed by the adjournment of our executive and Legislature form Nashville to Memphis – a measure deemed by the Executive, Governor Harris, proper and necessary.  We repeat it – let Nashville fall – its value to us is nothing compared with Memphis and this valley!

Our duty is before us, and it is plain.  We must defend the Mississippi river and the Memphis and Charleston railroad!  While we would not pluck our opinion against any commanding officer at Columbus, we are frank to confess that we think Fort Pillow is the point for a stand on the Mississippi, if it be not too late to abandon Columbus.  The latter place is too far from the great artificial line of support and defense – the Memphis and Charleston Railroad – and if Fort Pillow can hold the enemy in check in his advance by water, he will never advance by land.

Be it Columbus or Fort Pillow, one or both must be held, and a point on the Tennessee river (say Hamburg).  With these two river fortifications made impregnable, and others between them, in easy supporting distances of each other, we can defy the advance of the foe for all time to come.  Men, however, are needed for this duty.  It will not do for us to rely upon President Davis, or any other great man, for help, in this hour of trial.

Much is said about President Davis sending us aid.  This may be so.  We trust it is so, but we confess we do not know what point on our Potomac or coast lines, can be safely weakened just now.  Large forces are threatening us in all quarters, and we must rely upon ourselves!  Upon the men from this great valley!  The Legislature will probably soon authorize the Governor to call the militia into active service.  For the sake of honor and manhood, we trust no young unmarried man will suffer himself to be drafted!  He would soon become a bye word – a scoff – a burning shame to his sex and to his State!  Leave that for old and married men but in the name of patriotism let us not see young men parading our streets as militia, when the guns of hundreds of sick soldiers are waiting for them at Columbus.

We invoke the attention of our girls and wives upon this subject, and if young men, in pantaloons, will stay behind desks, counters and molasses barrels, let the girls present them with the garment proper to their peaceable spirits.  Success will make demons of our invaders, and success in the invasion of this valley will be more cheering to them than victory at any other point.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 8, 1862, p. 3

St. Louis Budget of News and Rumors

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 19. – Accounts from every camp in the State represent the joy of our troops over the Donelson victory unbounded. – At Pilot Knob a salute was fired last evening.

The officers of Col. Carlin’s 39^th Illinois gave a ball in honor of the event.

A little rebel outbreak took place yesterday morning twelve miles from Jefferson City.  There was two companies of rebels organized near Stonington, destined for Price’s army, and before leaving they revenged themselves of some loyal citizens by killing two and wounding five more.  Gen. Pope dispatched three companies of cavalry after them and their capture is almost certain.

Prof. Swallow, State Geologist, residing at Columbia, Boone county, was arrested today for disloyalty.

The report of burning the bridge of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad at Decatur, Ala., by Union sympathizers is not believed at headquarters.

Ten steamboats are advertised to leave to-day for Paducah.  They carry troops up the Tennessee river.

Gen. Halleck issued an order thanking Gen. Hunter now in Kansas, for the energy displayed in organizing troops in this department prior to his (Halleck’s) arrival, by whose aid our arms were partially enabled to triumph at Donelson.  The meaning of this order, which takes the form of a telegraphic dispatch to Gen. Hunter, is by no means clear.

Gen. Halleck has also issued a spirited order congratulating out troops on their recent success, and encouraging them to look for future victories at times and places already selected.

On Change [sic] yesterday and to-day there has been a decided advance in everything needed at the South in anticipation of an early permission to trade with Tennessee.  It is noticed that whisky advanced considerably.

More arrests for disloyalty are constantly occurring.  Seventeen Rebel prisoners, not being guilty of violating the rules of war, were released to-day on giving bonds and subscribing to the oath.

Deputy Provost Marshal, Gen. Thomas C. Fletcher, proceeded to Alton this p. m. by Gen. Halleck’s order, to release a large number of prisoners from the penitentiary on parole, mostly those who have never borne arms.  Where bonds are given Secessionists are invariably preferred to Union men, as in cases of default no compunction will be felt in seizing property.

The 42^nd Illinois regiment went down the river last night, on the War Eagle.  The Edward Walsh, also, carried 1,400 troops, and an immense quantity of baggage.

Brigadier Gen. Pope, and Staff, proceed south immediately, on the steamer Northerner, which boat also carries a regiment from St. Charles.

Constable’s Ohio battery and two batteries of the 1^st Missouri artillery, are en route for the Cumberland river.  Likewise, the Henry Chouteau steamer is loading with the baggage of the 24^th Indiana regiment.

The shipment of pig lead from this point without a permit, is prohibited.

Another company of nurses have left here for Cairo and vicinity, to attend the wounded from Fort Donelson.

The provost Marshal has ordered all business to be suspended on the 22d inst.  Extensive preparations are progressing for a magnificent celebration.

The Sanitary Commission are preparing hospitals for a large accession of wounded patriots.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

Bridge over the Cumberland River Destroyed

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 19. – A Union scout who has been operating up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers reached here this morning and reports one span of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad bridge crossing the Tennessee at Decatur, Alabama was destroyed on Saturday last by the Union men in that vicinity.

It was reported the bridge at Bridgeport, some seventy miles above had been disabled but this is not confirmed.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 3

Corinth, Mississippi

As this place is probably destined to become the theater of great events, we lay before our readers all the information as regards its situation, etc., we possess.  The village of Corinth was formerly called Farmington, and is so mentioned in the Gazetteers.  It is a post-village of Tishemingo county, distant 262 miles northeast from Jackson, the capital of the State.  There are about three or four stores in the village, and of course its population must be relatively small.

Tishemingo county forms the northeastern extremity of Mississippi, bordering on Tennessee and Alabama, and has an area of about fourteen hundred square miles.  The Tombigbee river rises in the county; the Tennessee flows along the northeastern border, and it is trained by Tuscumbia creek.

The surface is diversified by small hills; the soil is fertile, especially in the valleys and generally has a substratum of sand.  A large part of the county is covered with forests of oak, hickory, walnut and pine.  The head streams of the Tombigbee furnish valuable motive power.  The route of the Mobile and Ohio railroad intersects the Memphis and Charleston railroad at Jacinto, the capital.  The county was organized in 1836.  The population in 1850 amounted to 15,490, of which 13, 529 were free, and 1,961 slaves.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 4, 1862, p. 2

Late News By The Mails

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 4^th 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 5^th 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 4^th 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

From a letter, dated Huntsville, Ala., and written by . . .

. . . WILL. B. PICKERING, who by the way, is Private Secretary of Gen. MITCHELL, we are permitted to extract the following:

“Gen. Mitchell’s forces took possession of this place last Saturday morning, at 6 o’clock, taking the citizens entirely by surprise. This is certainly a lucky capture. We captured 21 first-class locomotives and a few cars, belonging to the Memphis & Charleston R. R. The 8th Brigade, to which the [18th] Ohio belongs, has captured Decatur, twenty five miles below. Six hundred bales of cotton were taken.”

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens Ohio, Thursday, April 24, 1862

Huntsville

Huntsville, Alabama, the town just occupied by Gen. Mitchell is the capital of Madison county, Ala. Being 150 miles northeast of Tuscaloosa, and 116 miles southeast of Nashville. Its population in 1860 was about 5,000. Ex-Senator C. C. Clay resides there. In the summer months the cream of the Alabama aristocracy from the Gulf counties frequent the place. It is situated on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, and by its occupation, communication between the rebel armies in the southwest States is cut off. The people generally may be classed as “conditional Unionists.” Madison county, in which it is situated, has a population of 26,450, of who 14,375 were slaves. At the last election it gave Douglas 1,300, Breckinridge, 591 & Bell 400 votes.

– Published in The Athens Messenger, Athens, Ohio, Thursday Morning, April 24, 1862