Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Claysville, Ala., Tues., 2 a. m., Aug. 30,1864.—You will wonder why I am writing to you at this time in the morning. I will tell you. We had information that a large force of rebels was in our immediate front, on the other side of the river. I spent the whole day yesterday in preparing for an attack, which I confidently expected before long. Last evening Sergeant Moulton came up here from his station on the river and told me that he had information from the same source that this force received orders on Sunday to repair at once to Atlanta and that they all left for that place on that day and yesterday; that his informant saw the last piece of artillery leave; and, further, that the rebels had 13 pieces of artillery. I felt greatly relieved, and not having slept much the night before I congratulated myself on a good night’s sleep in prospect.
I had just sat down to write some dispatches to General Granger to send off in the morning, when I received a note from Lieut. Fish saying that a force had made its apperance on the other side of the river. This was about eight o’clock. I immediately went down to his camp and found that a force has really come into Guntersville, which is about three-fourths of a mile from the river. It was after dark and they could see nothing, but they could hear commands given. I am satisfied that the force is not large, and that it has no artillery; yet their presence made it necessary to use all precautions against a surprise or an attack, and that along my whole line, for their making their appearance here was no evidence that they would not strike at some other point should they attack us, but rather the contrary. So I came back here and have been engaged ever since in sending off orders and dispatches. I expect some gunboats down today from Bridgeport, and when they get here I shall feel easier.
Claysville, Ala., Tues. Eve., Aug. 30, 1864.—The rebel force has certainly left our front. There are two gunboats here tonight, and they will be constantly along our line hereafter. We have been in great peril, but I think the danger permanently passed. We shall have no serious trouble here now for some time, if at all.
