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CHAPTER XII.

EMBARK ON BOARD TRANSPORTS FOR PORT HUDSON - ORDER CHANGED, AND WE GO ON AN EXPEDITION TO YAZOO CITY - CAPTURE OF THAT PLACE - LOSS OF THE GUNBOAT DE KALB - ORDERED TO CO-OPERATE WITH SHERMAN AGAINST JACKSON - MARCH TO BLACK RIVER AND CANTON - GEN. SHERMAN'S MOVEMENTS AGAINST JOHNSTON, AND CAPTURE OF JACKSON - RETURN TO YAZOO CITY, AND VOYAGE TO VICKSBURG - A GREAT HAUL OF CONTRA-BANDS AND COTTON.

On the 10th of July, Gen. HERRON received orders to embark our Division on board transports, and proceed to Port Hudson to reinforce Gen. BANKS, who was still besieging that place. Accordingly on the morning of the 11th we embarked, leaving our tents standing in camp. Such of the men, also, as were not fully able for field duty as well as much of our camp and garrison equippage were left behind - the campaign being one requiring great despatch.

The Division was all on board, and the fleet just ready to move off, when a gunboat arrived with the intelligence that Port Hudson had capitulated immediately on learning of the surrender of Vicksburg. This intelligence rendering our movement in that direction useless, Gen. HERRON was then ordered to proceed on an expedition against Yazoo City, and co-operate on the left flank of

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Gen. SHERMAN'S forces who were at that time besieging Jackson.

This change of orders rendered a change of boats also necessary, as those on which we had first embarked were not calculated for the Yazoo River - being altogether too large to navigate it with safety.

Much time was consumed in changing boats, and we did not leave Vicksburg until 11 o'clock on the day following - July 12th. Our fleet was convoyed by the iron-clad gunboat De Kalb, commanded by Captain WALKER, and two tin-clads. We arrived at Haines' Bluff about 3 o'clock, P. .M. on the same day, where we landed and took on board twenty-five men of the 2d Wisconsin cavalry, commanded by Lieut. MYERS, which comprised all the cavalry force accompanying the expedition. After getting them on board, with their horses, the fleet again proceeded on its way.

Much of the country, on either side of the river, was low and marshy, and consequently uninhabited. Numerous large alligators were seen lying along on the banks, basking their rough slimy bodies in the sunshine, and feeding on the insects which swarmed in myriads about them. Their manner of catching flies is at once simple, convenient and natural, and attended with the least possible expenditure of exertion or genius. While lying on shore in the sun, enjoying a nap, the upper jaw and snout are thrown back, leaving the inside of the mouth and the throat bare. The saliva on these attract the insects, which continue to settle on them until the mouth

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is well filled, when the alligator suddenly closes his "fly-trap," and secures the game.

After passing the Little Sunflower, which empties into the Yazoo above the "Mounds," the land was more elevated, and beautiful residences, surrounded by large plantations under good cultivation, lined either bank of the river. The only inhabitants to be seen, however, were negroes, who came out on the bank and looked with astonishment at our fleet as we passed - occasionally waving handkerchiefs in welcome.

We arrived at a point about two miles below Yazoo City, at 1 o'clock P. M., on the 13th, where our fleet stopped, and lay against the east bank of the river - the side on which the city was located. Gen. HERRON then despatched the gunboats towards the city to engage the enemy's batteries, and ascertain their strength and position. At the same time our small cavalry force was landed on the opposite (or west) side of the river, with orders to proceed to a point opposite the city, and prevent the escape of the steamers reported to be there. A few of the regiments also disembarked, and formed line of battle, to support the gunboats. The ground on which we had landed was covered by a heavy growth of cypress timber and thick weeds, through which it was impossible to obtain a view of any object even at a short distance in advance of us. The regiments which had disembarked moved up in line of battle parallel with the gunboats, until their progress was checked by a bayou which they were unable to cross - the rebels having destroyed

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the bridge. Here they halted to await further instructions.

The gunboat De Kalb, in the meantime, proceeded on her course until she arrived within half a mile of the city, when she opened fire with two of her guns - which, owing to the narrowness of the stream, was all she was able to work. Her fire was immediately responded to by the rebel fort, which it was discovered was situated on the south side of the city, a short distance east of the shipyard. After firing about thirty rounds, and ascertaining this battery was the only obstruction between us and the city, the gunboats withdrew. In the meantime, while the artillery duett was going on, the infantry repaired the broken bridge and crossed the bayou, when it was discovered the enemy had evacuated their earth-works, and were in retreat. Gen. HERRON immediately ordered the 20th Wisconsin, which had been the first to cross the bayou, in pursuit, which was continued for about ten miles in the direction of Canton, and resulted in the capture of a large number of prisoners beside a great many wagons and gun-carriages, which the enemy abandoned in their retreat on the roadside.

The De Kalb, in the meantime, with Gen. HERRON and staff on board, again started toward the city, but when nearly opposite the shipyard the boat ran upon a torpedo, which exploded, tearing away about two feet of her port bow, and sinking her almost instantly, in fifteen feet of water. No one on board was injured, however, by the explosion. Captain WALKER afterwards raised

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and brought away all the heavy guns and many of her small arms.

While these events were progressing on the east side of the river, our small cavalry force had arrived opposite the town on the west side in time to prevent one of the steamers, (the St. Marys), from escaping, which was captured. They also pursued the remainder so closely, that the enemy were compelled to burn five of them - the Magenta, Prince of Wales, J. F. Fargo, Peytonia, and Magnolia - to prevent their falling into our hands. The Mary Keene, Arcadia, E. J. Gay, and Kennett, escaped. The boat which fell into our hands had been previously used as a gunboat by the rebels, but her guns had been removed and mounted in the works at Yazoo City a short time previously.

Gen. ORME was placed in command of the place with three regiments of infantry, and, notwithstanding his efforts to prevent pillage and destruction of private property, during the first night after our arrival some disgraceful robberies were committed by a Lieutenant of the 94th Illinois, who had been sent out with a patrol guard for the especial purpose of preventing such acts.

The city had been garrisoned by the 29th North Carolina infantry, with a battery of light artillery, all being under the command of Colonel Christman, of North Carolina.

We found in the works, one 8-inch columbiad, four 30-pounder Parrotts, and one 12-pound howitzer, with

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200 rounds of ammunition. The total number of prisoners captured was 300, with eight commissioned officers.

A great portion of the property pillaged by our men consisted of clothing, which was taken from various stores in the city, but being of a style not "according to regulations" was destroyed. Fine broadcloth coats were peddled about by the men and sold at prices ranging from ten cents down to nothing, and satin vests, cloth pantaloons, and fur hats went at proportionately low rates - the hats being converted into foot-balls.

Some of the men found a large silver-mounted family carriage at one of the residences in the city, which, with a span of fine spirited horses and silver-mounted harness, they confiscated, and proceeded to establish, with this splendid turnout, what they termed a "Lightning Omnibus Accommodation Line," to run between our transports and the city - charging 25 cents fare. The "Line" however, only made two trips when Gen. VANDEVER discovered and coveted the prize, which he seized at once - thus breaking down the enterprise, and occasioning much regret among line officers and soldiers as well as the enterprizing projectors. The printing office was also taken possession of by printers in our Division, and a small newspaper issued, entitled "The Yankee,"

under the superintendence of WALTER S. KENDALL, of Company E, 20th Iowa.

All these pleasant pastimes, however, were brought suddenly to a close on the morning of July 16th, when

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orders were issued to prepare for an immediate march into the interior toward Jackson.

As no wagons had been brought with us, parties were sent out and all the carts, wagons, buggies, horses, mules and oxen in the vicinity were pressed into service to haul our cooking utensils and rations; the train thus formed, when ready to move, presented a ludicrous appearance, as no regard was paid to classification of teams - some of the light buggies being hauled by two yoke of oxen, while a span of small sized mules were toiling along with a heavily loaded wagon.

The march was commenced at 12 o'clock, M., of the same day, our forces consisting of seven regiments of infantry and one battery of light artillery. Owing to the excessive heat, dust and scarcity of water, this proved the hardest march we had yet endured. Pools of stagnant water found in the beds of dried up bayous, were eagerly drank from, although the water was not only warm, but covered with a green scum. There was abundance of fruit hanging from the boughs of trees temptingly overhead, at many of the plantations we passed, but orders that men who partook of it should be arrested and shot, deterred many from taking it. Some, however, disregarded this outrageous order, remarking as they pulled the fruit, that "Gen. VANDEVER might shoot and be d__d, as that mode of death was preferable to perishing from a want of water."

The inhabitants along our route of march being most intensely disloyal, and making no attempt to conceal the

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fact, gave to this extraordinary tenderness on the part of our brigade commander that no loss should result to them from our presence, an appearance of leniency uncalled for and positively absurd; there was not a man in the army who did not so regard it.

The country, as we approached Black River, began to show the effects of the war. Most of the plantations were occupied by negroes, who seemed to have arrived at the conclusion that since their masters had absconded they were now the rightful owners. They were accordingly making dispositions for securing the fine crops just ripening, and getting them to market.

Immense quantities of cotton were stored throughout the country, and had our commanding officers been provided with transportation, over 50,000 bales could have been collected. The greater portion of this was the property of the Confederate government, and was subsequently burned to prevent its falling into the hands of our government. However, on our return march we secured 2,000 bales, taking it with us to Vicksburg where it was turned over to the proper authorities - but probably stolen by army contractors, as usual, soon afterwards.

After passing through the town of Benton, we arrived at Black River on the evening of the 16th, where we halted. On the following morning the march was resumed, and a portion of the army reached Canton at 3 o'clock, P. M., the remainder arriving late in the evening, where we bivouacked. On the next day, (the

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18th,) Gen. HERRON received a dispatch from Col. BUSSEY, stating than Gen. SHERMAN'S forces had entered and taken possession of Jackson, and that he, (Col. B.) was occupying Canton. The latter information was received with some surprise, as the bearer of the colonel's message was the first and only force beside our own which we had yet seen. However, other troops arrived soon after, and we started on our return march the same evening, reaching Yazoo City on the next day at noon.

The following is a summary of operations following the capture of Vicksburg up to the time of our reaching Canton:

On the evening of the 4th following the surrender of Vicksburg the remainder of the 9th, 13th, 15th and 17th army corps were despatched to aid Gen. SHERMAN in his meditated attack on Johnston. These troops reached him at Big Black on the evening of the 5th, where bridges were at once constructed. Gen. ORD crossed with the 15th corps on the evening of the 6th by a floating bridge, found uninjured, at the railroad crossing, while Gen. STEELE with the 15th, and Gen. PARKE with the 9th crossed the bridges which had been constructed by themselves - one at Messenger's and the other at Birdsong's. On the 7th all marched by separate roads to Bolton, and on the following day to Clinton. The weather was intensely hot, but the army pushed on, hourly expecting to encounter the enemy who were in four divisions, composed of Loring's, Walker's

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and Breckinridge's infantry, and Jackson's division of cavalry, with a large artillery force. They were slowly falling back, however, towards Jackson, and Gen. SHERMAN moved cautiously, expecting the enemy to make a stand at the hill in front of Jackson where the engagement between MCPHERSON'S corps and the enemy took place in May. ORD was on the right, STEELE in the centre, and PARKE on the left. The head of STEELE'S column reached the enemy's line on the Clinton road, when a heavy 6-inch shot warned them to prepare for serious work. STEELE at once halted in order to allow PARKE and ORD to move up to their positions on the right and left, to do which they were under the necessity of moving across open fields - skirmishing all the way with the enemy's advance lines. Johnston was found strongly entrenched in Jackson, where he had made preparations to withstand a siege.

When Gen. SHERMAN became convinced that Johnston had taken refuge in Jackson for the purpose of battle, he determined in part to damage his means of leaving it by destroying the Great Central Railroad north and south. Gen. ORD then extended his lines to the right so as to cross the railroad and threaten Pearl River, and Gen. PARKE his left so as to embrace the railroad north of Jackson, and approach Pearl River in that direction. By the morning of July 13th the enemy was completely invested in Jackson, and Gen. SHERMAN was in complete possession of all the roads leading to the place on the west bank of the Pearl River, and his

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artillery within easy range of every part of the city. On the 13th he threw into the city 3,000 12 and 20-pounder shots, which did great execution.

The siege continued until the night of July 16th, when the enemy evacuated the place, retreating across Pearl River to the Ohio and Mobile Railroad, sixty miles distant, whither SHERMAN did not deem it advisable to follow him. This closed the campaign in that quarter, and rendered our further co-operation. Unnecessary.

Our men on the return march from Canton left little fruit behind them, or any other useful article which could be carried away or destroyed. One of the men on being rebuked for destroying private property, remarked that "he intended to give the secesh in that locality no opportunity to deny that the Army of the Frontier had marched through it." My own impression is that another such march would have been sufficient to devastate the entire country.

The immediate advantages secured to our arms by this expedition, was the capture and destruction of the enemy's fortifications at Yazoo City; 300 prisoners, including 13 commissioned officers; one steamer captured and five burned; six pieces of heavy ordnance, with a large amount of ordnance stores; 250 stand of small arms; 2,000 bales of cotton; 2,000 head of horses and mules; hospital bedding sufficient for 500 patients, and a general destruction by the men of private rebel property, on our route of march, too extensive to be enumerated.

The 20th of July was occupied in destroying the rebel

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works, which were mined and blown up, and securing such property as had been confiscated, which was put on board the transports. Capt. WALKER had been diligently at work removing the guns from his sunken vessel, and completed the task during the evening.

All night bands of our men were roaming over the city, searching houses for small articles such as would be useful for camp purposes, but committing no acts of outrage or violence on the persons of the inhabitants. The examination of articles of personal property in the city on this occasion was so thorough, that I may venture to assert but few, however small, escaped the attention of those engaged in the search. All were on board at daybreak on the morning of the 21st, when we commenced our return voyage to Vicksburg.

The first surprise of the negroes occasioned by our sudden appearance among them having passed, they now crowded the banks of the river, making frantic appeals to be taken away with us. Two of our boats were set apart for this purpose, on which the ebony throng rushed in continuous streams, until the vessels presented the appearance of being one solid mass of human beings. They were so closely wedged together that when one changed his position there was a perceptible agitation of the entire mass. The children were screaming, and the men and women singing, shouting and praying - wild with delight at thus suddenly finding themselves set free. It would be impossible to give an adequate description of the scene. Maddened with joy, the dense throng howled

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and surged in insane efforts to give vent to the new found happiness which was overflowing their hearts. Many of them expressed great desire to know which boat "Massa Lincoln" was on, and as the stream was narrow and the boats all running close together, it sometimes happened that they would catch sight of some officer in uniform who happened to be conspicuous in a group, and at once concluding he was the great liberator, their shouts of thanks and demonstrations of joy were deafening and ludicrous. Several of these men and women, with a few children, were unfortunately crowded overboard and drowned on the passage.

We arrived at Vicksburg the same evening, and proceeded to our previous camp. During our absence sickness had increased to such an extent, owing to the extreme heat and bad quality of the water, that a very large portion of the regiment were now prostrated.

Orders were received on the following day to prepare for another move, and our time and attention was occupied in getting our sick men into hospitals hastily fitted up for the purpose, and storing their arms, etc., by order of Brig. Gen. VANDEVER, "in a building adjoining," where we left them, with faint hopes of ever again meeting our comrades alive as there appeared little probability that they would receive such attentions as their necessities required, and with no expectations whatever of recovering the arms which were, agreeably to orders, "stored in a building adjoining!"