by John Beauchamp Jones
APRIL 27TH. —A dispatch from Montgomery, Ala., states that the enemy have penetrated as far as Enterprise, Miss., where we had a small body of troops, conscripts. If this be merely a raid, it is an extraordinary one, and I feel some anxiety to learn the conclusion of it. It is hard to suppose a small force of the enemy would evince such temerity. But if it be supported by an army, and the position maintained, Vicksburg is doomed. We shall get no more sugar from Louisiana.
April 27.—A party of National cavalry, belonging to the division of General Granger, and under the command of Colonel Watkins, left their camp at Murfreesboro last night, and this morning at daybreak, succeeded in capturing the Texan Legion of rebel troops, posted at a point eight miles from Franklin, Tenn., between the Columbia and Carter’s Creek turnpikes. In the skirmish, several rebels were killed and wounded.—Cincinnati Gazette.
—The army of the Potomac, under Major-General Hooker, commenced the forward movement on Fredericksburgh, Va. This morning at five o’clock, the Eleventh, Major-General Howard’s corps, the Twelfth, Major-General Slocum’s, and the Fifth, Major-General Meade’s corps, struck their tents and marched westward from Falmouth on the several roads leading to Kelly’s Ford, distant from the line of Acquia Creek and Fredericksburgh Railroad about twenty-five miles; the Eleventh corps being in the advance.
Monday, April 27th. After the stage arrived on yesterday evening, I learned that it had come from only about fifty miles below and is not going to Alexandria any more, but is only going forty miles in that direction in order to bring up the stock, etc., on the line. The rumor is that the Federals are in possession of Alexandria; all the troops are retreating in this direction.
I have spent a very disagreeable day; it has been raining all day and kept me confined to the house; I am in a quandary; don’t know what to do or where to go; am staying at a Frenchman’s house at two dollars and a half per day; have no friend or acquaintance to consult and am utterly at a loss whether to go back to Shreveport or to make an effort to go forward; am afraid to try the latter plan for fear of getting out of money too far from home; think I shall start back to-morrow night.
Read Lycidas’ “L’Allegro” and “Il Penseroso” to-day, and a few chapters in “Old Mortality;” one of the longest and most disagreeable days I ever spent in my life; O, for peace and a quiet day with my dear wife and little darlings.
