Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-10-31
Particulars Of the Billy Wilson
Fight-the Rebels Defeated.e
the affair Ut New Orleam.

Particulars of the Billy Wilson
Fight-the Rebels Defeated.e
the affair Ut New Orlean.
New YoRK, Oct. 24:-The steamer
Mcclellan arrived from Southwest pass IA,
Fort Piskens 18th, Tortugas 18th, and
Key West 10Th. On the morning of the
9th, about thalfpast o'clock, the enemy
attackedCo. Wilson's position in force
Co. E Sd Infantry, Capt. Hildt, and 81
men of company A, lst. AIT, Lieut.. Tay-
for, IS men in all, under Major Rogdes,
met the enemy some distance above Camp
Brown. Major Rogdes was Immediately
taken prisoner. Capt. Hildt taking CON-
mand, engaged The enemy. Our loss was
four killed and 81 wounded, and prison
efs.@The enemy's loss was much larger,
eleven of their men were found in one
heap. Major Arnold arrived after day.
light to the assistance of Capt. Hildt, and
the command proceeded to a point where
the rebels dis-embarked just as their steam
ers were leaving, and opened on them de-
structive fire.
The enemy's loss, left on the Island,
was % killed, 2 wounded and SO prison.
ers. Many of the wounded were carried
of. Capt. Bradford and Lieut.. Elms were
killed. Three officers were captured, one
of them, Lieut.. James, formerly of the U.
s. Marines, was badly wounded. Gen.
Anderson was in command of the rebels,
and was wounded in the arm. After dis
embarking, the enemy acknowledged the
loss of over 100. In addition to the loss
on our side, above stated, the Zouaves lost
nine, killed in their camp, and eleven ia
ken prisoners.
The Zouave camp was situated on Santa
Rosa Island, about one mile from Fort
Pickens, and was so distributed as to com
mand all tho approaches to the Fort, and
also to protect the batteries. The rebel
forces, 1900 strong, embarked from the
Pensacola Navy Yard, in three large
steamers, and landed on the Island, about
four miles above the camp 1t was about
2 O'Clock, A. NJ, and very dark, they rap
idly formed in three columns and proceed
ed silently toward the Zouave camp, hop
ing to effect a total surprise. In this they
were but partially successful; The picket
guard stationed about 600 yards from the
camp, discovered and fired upon them,
giving the alarm, which saved the Regi-
ment from annihilation. The attack Of the
rebel columns was simultaneous, and volley
after volley was aimed upon the volunteers.
They were forced to fall back, leaving
their camp in the hands of rebels, which
they commenced burning. Fort Pickens
was, by this time, aroused, and three COM
panies of REGULARS came to our assistance.
The rebels then commenced retreating to
their boats, closely followed by the regu-
lars, and small number of volunteers,
keeping up a destructive fire upon them,
killing and wounding large number
The rebels finally reached their boats, but
the steamers were over five hundred yards
from the beach, and our men poured re-
peated vollvys iato the crowded mass; ev-
cry bullet told, and by the shouts and con-
fusion of The rebels, i. WAS evident We had
obtained ample satisfaction. The Zouaves
were badly managed and Col. Wilson is
very much eensured for inefficiency-not
reaching the scene until all was over. The
officers and men lost almost everything.
Major Newly had a narrow escape from
capture, being confined to his bed by dan
gerous illness. The regiment lost ten
killed, sixteen wounded, and prisoners.
The regulars lost four killed, twenty wound
ed and ten prisoners. The rebels lost by
their own statement, $50 killed, wounded
and missing We took 35 prisoners, in
cuding doctors who were released.
The Mcclellan brings reliable accounts
of the fight at the mouth Of the Mississip-
pi. The rebel fleet consisted of six gun
boats, the Ram, Manassas and large
number of fire ships. which filed the riv-
ers from shore to shore. Our squadron,
comprised of the Richmond, Huntsville,
Water Witch, PrebIe, Vincinne, and store
ship Nightingale, were at anchor inside of
the South east Pass. The Manassas drift
ed foul of the Richmond, knocking a hole
in her quarter and stern, doing but little
damage.
To avoid the ire-ships, the squadron
got under way Immediately, and drifted
down. The Nightingale got ashore on the
bar, and while ashore was attacked by the
rebels. Only one of their shots took effect
and that struck the Richmond on the quar-
ter. They were beaten off the Vincennes
with two guns,she having thrown the rest
overheard, and the rest Of her armament
with her chains, anchors. &c, TO tighten
her, she being much exposed to the rebel
fire. Not one person was killed or wound
ed in the squadron. The Richmond, Pre-
Bile and Vincennes were towed off the next
day by the Mcclellan. The Nightingale
was still ashore, but would probably get
off the mex. day.
Washington BlOckaded.