At 7 P. M., reports having come in that the enemy were returning to attack us in force, our entire Division, except the Picket and Provost Guard, were ordered to recross the Tallobusha, and bivouack, ready to fall in at a moment's notice. One hour later, Col. Winslow, commanding a Brigade of Cavalry, from "Blackwater," entered the town from the South. He being the ranking officer, now assumed command of the whole force. His Brigade took possession of the place, and the whole force bivouacked for the night.
The entire loss of our Division in the fight, was one man killed and two wounded. The 9th Ill. Inft. had one man wounded.
The 1st Brigade was so far in the rear, at the beginning of the action, that it was not engaged, except Perkin's Battery of Mountain Howitzers.
The entire forces in Lieut. Col. Phillips' command, during this expedition, consisted of the following Regiments, viz: 9th Ill. Inft. (mounted) Captain Kneffner commanding, 300; 2d Iowa Cavalry, Captain —— commanding, 200; 11th Ill. Cavalry, Major Funk commanding, 150; 3d Michigan Cavalry, Major Hudson commanding, 200; Total, 2d Brigade, Major Coon commanding, 850. 9th Ill. Cavalry, —— —— commanding, 250; 3d Ill. Cavalry, Major Connor commanding, 200; 4th Ill. Cavalry, —— —— commanding, 300; Total, 1st Brigade, Lieut. Col. Wallace commanding, 750. Total in Division, Lieut. Col. Phillips commanding, 1,600.
The force of the enemy at Grenada, was between 1,500 and 2,500, and was under command of Col. Slemmer, Gen. Chalmers being, at the time, absent. Major Leath, Gen. Chalmers' Quartermaster, was captured in Grenada, and with him the Confederate scrip mentioned above.
During the action, Col. Winslow, with his Brigade, was in bivouack, within five miles of Grenada, and had he moved on the South rapidly at that time, we would have captured most of the enemy, and his entire Quartermaster train of over 100 wagons.
Lieut. Col. Phillips insisted on pursuing and capturing, at least, their wagon train. But Col. Winslow was in command and not willing. Lieut. Col. Phillips then requested permission to pursue with his command, but was refused. Having command, Col. Winslow ordered the destruction of property to cease. Hence, two locomotives, and about a dozen cars, were left on the North side of the Tallobusha, for the Rebels to run down produce from Water Valley and the country North of them.
The entire command remained in bivouack on the 18th, and moved on the return march, at 5 A. M., on the 19th, taking the Oakland road. Bivouacked for the night, just across the Tochamy River. We moved forward again at 5 A. M., of the 20th. Ferried over the Tallahatchie, and bivouacked for the night seven miles North of it. Moved again at 5 A. M., on the 21st. Col. Winslow and his command left us to-day, for Memphis. Fed near Looxahoma. Bivouacked for the night, near Bucksnort. Moved at the same hour on the 22d. Lieut. Col. Wallace with his command, turned to the left to-day, for his camp at Collierville. We passed through Holly Springs about 4 P. M., to-day, and bivouacked seven miles North-east of town. This is a nice town, on an elevated situation, with some very fine buildings in it. Guards were placed at each of the houses. Many ladies made their appearance, as our boys passed along the street. Some of them looked on smilingly, while others manifested scornful contempt, in their very looks. But what did our boys care for their scorn? They only smiled the more. The sight which the citizens beheld, as our forces passed, was no doubt to them a sore one. A long train of negroes, men, women and children were accompanying us. At last $1,000,000 worth of property, as slaves had formerly been rated, was leaving them. They had long been accustomed to regard these persons as the great source of their wealth. This war had been instigated for the purpose of riveting the chains of bondage more tightly upon these slaves. Many of them, perhaps, had been called upon to mourn the death of some dear friend, who had been slain in waging this war. They had thought thus to make more secure this species of their wealth. But now they were compelled to see it taking to itself legs and fleeing away.
Our boys arrived in camp at Pocahontas on the 24th of August, after having been out thirteen days. They left camp with six days rations. Where did the other seven days rations come from? I suppose none of the boys can tell! Perhaps, if the smoke-houses and hen-roosts of the citizens along the way could speak, they might tell. Or, may be, even the citizens themselves, if any one should take the trouble to travel along and enquire of them, could tell something about it.
The expedition was certainly a grand success. Some raids, about which much has been said and written, were of far less importance. It was a bold dash, of more than one hundred miles, into the midst of the enemy's country. Our forces met on their own chosen ground, at least an equal, and it is thought, a greatly superior force of the enemy; drove them from their position, after a smart skirmish; captured a large amount of their stores, with about fifty prisoners. About $8,000,000 worth of public property was destroyed. Destroyed because two long bridges on the Railroad had been burned by the enemy. About 500 head of horses and mules were captured. And at least 2,000 negroes were brought in with our forces; thus weakening the hands of our enemies, and obtaining that, by which to strengthen our own hands. These, as slaves were formerly valued, were worth at least $2,000,000. The entire Union loss was only one man killed and two wounded. Had there been a special correspondent with our forces, it would have been heralded in the newspapers with a flourish that might have resulted in a star on our worthy Lieut. Col. Phillips, who commanded the expedition. The material, at least, was there.