Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-06-28
The Battle of Observation-Disclosures from tho
Scene OF Action.

Scene OF Action.
MAGENTA, Jane 7-Yrsterday evening succeeded
in getting hare inspect the field Of the glorious
batiIe fought on Saturday last NY pen is not sde-
quate to described the heart-rsnderng scene which
surrounds Trees thrown down By the dreadful
effect OF artillery; heaps Of dead bodies, human
limbs scattered about, carriages broken farm houses
burnt, crops tramplei, vneysr devastated houses
plundered-such is the deplorable sight which has
met my eyes since my arrival in this Town. Town,
however, Magentais no more. The smalIinn whence
l am now writing these lines bears marks Of the
tremendous struggle, for il thrice taken and re-
taken during the action. Not piece Of furniture
is TO be found not even a chair to sit upon.
The battle Of Magenta was not begun by our
troops, but by the Au3trians, who, although in full
retreat toward Pavia, were ordered to change their
front and attack our advanced guard which had
crossed the ueino at Ruf4lora. One battalion Of
the ZouaTes and two companies OF the same regi-
mebt together with Two regiments Of Grenadiers all
belonging 10 the Imperial Guard we're, suddenly At
tacked by % 900 Ausrians, under the order Of Cen
eIal Zobe. Our gallant allies had three batteries
with them, but only two field pieces we're brought
to play upon the advancing columns Of the enemy.
You must not forget that the country which lies be-
tween this village aud Abblae Grasso is
by Dumberless canals which supply the water 10 the
rice fields Of the district. All these fields had been
Of course inundated for agricultural purposes the
guns If advanced guard could net be placed ex-
cept on the main real, which, by the BY Is very na-
row, aud by which the 'stEiSDs we're advancing.
The right wing Of the French advanced guard thus
attaoked was formed By the above mentioned troops
Eve other companies Of ZouAves Of t1e Imperial
Gusrd were marching on the left.
This heroic co umn, which CALAMITY disputed The
advance Of Zobels corps d'srmee for five long hours
scarcely numbered 600 men. The rolling Of musk
cry the pounding of field guns, the crash of eel
i nave been told by actor Of the bloody drama
were deafening. The Aastrians advanced, halted,
advanced again, received and returned close and
deadly fire; but the bayonst is the queen Of Weap-
ons-Magents proved it. The brave baud Il oar
allies vsinly cling,ng to their guns. After
two hours Of fearful struggle, three Of them were
captured by the enemy. Ii wss then that brave,
kind-hearled Gen. Clerc fell dead from his horse
The Colonel Of the LIST ZouaVes followed.
minute later the lisutenanl-coOnel and twelve Of
icers of the sauna regiment were no more. The
battalicn-if you can designate by such a word the
800 ef-Wss now fighting for life; il wa surround
ed by division OF th enemy-tle was no help
visible. Bus Las Zouaves sout- les Zouaves,''
said my informant, who has the honor 20 belong
TO this famous corps The FIVE companies on the
left seeing peril OF the comrades aed with
such iupetdosiiy ag inst the enemy's division that
the 81 wtr, left me and all the force Of Croaus
and BobemisDs was brought to bear sgsiRH the
new corners ~. ..-l RI ....z.. IN s.a
This last hand-tc-hand fight last d two hours
The d;sproportion Of Bumbers was, hoWever, too
great-the French we're exhausted with hgbtiDg-.
but at last came the help. About II o'clock the
reinforcement appeared their ltf-a joyful light
to our struggling regiments. The three field guns
already can u e by the enemy were soon RECON
quered at the point Of the bay1nei. Z,bsTs corps
a'JrDee easily routed BY the imperial Iegtr rs
and obliged TO retire. -rr4sa-
The action than becsme general, and lasted three
b longer, till the bold assault Of Mcmahon de-
ei led the victory. The effect Of this gallant Gene
rails move was that Of cutting the Austrian army
into two bodies. Threatened on all sides forced in
his position, menaeed with being surrounded. Cen
tr 4 Gguiai gave orders to retreat. Routed 81 they
were, they now Iau pc nell, some towards Gualo
YIso nti, some toward Roslle, Vernale and Pavia
Covering their hssiy and d sIrdtrsd retreat by
bodies Of horse and by tremendous Ere Of aFti-
lay he Austrisns fell back upon their intrenched
ae5 in immense c1Afusion. The battle Of Magenta
had been won.
Another letter says:
At tie moment when his attacking column was
c1o sing the bridge, General Espinasse, who was
lie ldingit with his well known intrepidity, was I'M
fortunately struck by bal in the very centre Ct
his breast. He NUT have died instantly. On see
ing him fall the soldiers, quite beside themselves
ru he'd forw Ird to sgepge his death Nothing could
stop them-on, on they went, sweeping away every
obstlcle; and after completely routing the enemy,
they effected their junction with the Imperial Guard
which was all the while commanded By the Empe-
ror in person. 49, il4s
When the French arrived al San MaFiinO, they
met with priest at the bridge Of BuGalora, and