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[530] camp when morning came. Some of them lay down on the road-side, glad to seize the opportunity of an hour's “rest,” even though the rain beat heavily on their closed eyelids.

At five o'clock the order was given for us to return — not to camp but to Purdy. Many of us received the order with dissatisfaction, and some obeyed it with reluctance. Col. Taylor, of the Fifth cavalry, was taken seriously ill, (he was quite unwell when he left camp,) and could not command his regiment; the Lieut.-Col. was also compelled from sickness to abandon his intention of returning, so the command devolved upon the senior Major, E. G. Ricker, an officer who has given frequent proofs of his efficiency and valor. The entire cavalry force started back, and in a couple of hours were in Purdy. They were disappointed to learn that about one hundred rebels who had garrisoned the place, had left just in time to save themselves.

Col. Dickey sent a small force to skirmish two miles below Purdy, (there were three thousand rebels at Bethel, four miles below,) while another force destroyed the railroad bridge two miles above it. The work was accomplished; the bridge was torn up, and the connection between Purdy and Corinth completely destroyed. While the men were at work a locomotive with four men--two officers, one engineer, and a fireman — came from Bethel to ascertain what was the matter. I should have said that our men had cut their telegraph wires also; this caused the alarm at Bethel. Our skirmishers withdrew, let the locomotive pass by to where the road was torn up, and then issued forth to demand a “surrender.” The four men were taken prisoners, the locomotive destroyed, and thus ended the expedition. None of our men were killed by the enemy, but I fear many of them will die from the exposure to inclement weather and the fatigue of the trip experienced by all.

The cavalry returned to camp last night; the infantry and artillery this morning. After what we have gone through, our leaky tents appear to us like metropolitan hotels. I will speak for myself, and say I want no more expedition for several days to come.


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