A friend who left Okolona on
Monday evening, brings us important intelligence of the movements of
the Federal forces southward along the line of the Mobile & Ohio
railroad. On Sunday evening a force, its strength unknown, occupied
for the night two miles west of Saltillo. On Monday at eleven o'clock,
A. M., Pontotoc was occupied. On Monday afternoon, between three and
four o'clock, a cavalry force about three thousand strong, made its
appearance at Coonawah station, twenty-five miles north of Artesia,
just as the train from the North arrived. The train was filled with
ladies, etc., fleeing from above, and the enemy as he came up
commenced forming a line within twenty steps of the engine, and firing
at the engine and train. The engineer, in reply to a taunt from one of
the enemy, replied -- fire away, and commenced moving his train. His
head of steam was so small that but slow progress was made, but the
enemy did not pursue, and the train proceeded until it crossed a swamp
a mile south of the station, where it halted until steam could be
raised. Five cars, three passenger and two freight, were abandoned.

While the train was waiting a
dense smoke was seen to arise from the depot, and the impression was
that it had been fired. The platform was covered with the baggage of
parties who had expected to take the train south all of which was left
behind.

The escape of the train was
alone due to the boldness and presence of mind of the engineer, whose
conduct was so highly appreciated by the passengers that a purse of
one hundred dollars was raised and presented him, accompanied by the
thanks of those who had escaped.