During Grierson's cavalry raid In 1863 his column came through Jasper, Smith, Simpson and Copiah Counties. Smith county was reported later to have the largest concentration of deserters and disloyal persons in 1864. Yet, during this raid, the country people were terrified of the Union troops. Grierson's men took hostages in Smith and Simpson counties to help guide them to the Pearl River. One guide acted like he was a Union man and was glad to help. But, it was a ruse. At night he led them into a large maze of downed trees (a tornado blow down) and got them hopelessly lost The Northern trooper threatened to kill the man and the other hostages but would wait until light. When they woke up the next morning (the guards too) all the hostages had escaped taking some of their horses along with one of Grierson's prized mounts. When reading the reports of the raid in the Piney Woods, I do not see where the Union forces were welcomed.