Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

Tuesday, 9th—Starting early this morning we reached Morton about noon, where we went into bivouac and remained the balance of the day. The rebels took their first stand here, forming a line of battle, but our two corps being brought together to engage them, they feared to risk a battle and hastily fell back. The Sixteenth Army Corps then passed ahead of the Seventeenth, taking the advance in pursuit. It is estimated that the rebels have a force of fifteen thousand men. Our army is burning all railroad and public property on the way. This town even is literally wiped out, for when the citizens flee before our army and leave their homes vacant, there is always someone ready to set the vacant houses on fire.