The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-11-01
The Battle of Leesburg.

Iron the Richmond Dispatch 18th.
The recent victory of Gem Evans over
the enemy near Leesburg continues the
prominent topic of conversation, and eve
ry new fact or incident Is received with
the utmost relish. DR.. Geo. W. Stewart,
of Madison county, Miss, has placed us
in possession of some interesting informa.
ton connected with the battle, gathered
from soldiers who participated. 1t ap-
pears that a report reached General Evans
that the Federals were crossing the river
at Edwards's Ferry on Monday morning,
and the 18th Mississippi regiment was
sentdown from Leesburg to keep them in
check; and under the belief that the
heaviest portion of the enemy's forces
would cross at that point, the 18th Mis-
sissippi followed. 1t turned out, however,
that another place was chosen by the enc
my, some two miles higher up the river,
where the channel is from l75 to 200 yards
in width, and not fordable. They crossed
in fiat boats and sfifis; and the first en-
gagcment was between the Slh Virginia
regiment and the advanced columns of
the foe. The skirmishing continued with
considerable severity for some hours, and
the 18th Mississippi, hearing the firing
marched in double-quck time TO the
scene Of action; the 18th remaining at
Edwards's Ferry, to prevent the enemy's
crossing there and executing flank
movement. The grand and closing fight
, of die day took place about 4 o'clock P.
NJ. when the Federals madeta DIES ferate
stand on the bank of the river. In clear
space between two growths of forest, our
three regiments-the Sth Virginia and
the 18th and 18Th Mississippi-had the
enemy partially surrounded, forming a
sort of semi-circular trap, from which the
victims had no meansof escape except by
the river, or through the woods on either
side. The latter alternative was adopted
by some, who were afterwards captured
The lighting now became terrible. The
contending forces were in close proximity
and we are informed that not only bullets
and bayonets, but even bowie.knives were
used with fearful effect upon the enemy
The latter, finding they were overpower
ed, made an effort to reach their boats
which large number succeeded in doing
but the rush was so great that several
boats were overturned or sunk, and the
panic-stricken soldiers were drowned in
large numbers. We have no means o.
ascertaining how many reached the is
land in the river; but il is not SO difficult
to say how many failed in the attempt
Those who were left on the shore ther
laid down their arms and surrendered
and this terminated the battle.
We have the following list of casualtie.
in the 18th Mississippi regiment:
Hilled.--Hon. John !. Cooper. volun
teer private in the Beauregard Rifles
formerly member of the Mississippi
Legislature; Jack Pettus, private in the
Burt Rifles-son of Governor Pettus, O
Mississippi.
Womded.-Col. Burt, badly, in the thigh
George Wilson, slightly; Frank Clark
nephew of Mr.. Cooper,) MORALLY; -
Short, slightly; John Devine, wounded il
the head, not MORALLY; North Saunders
in the leg; Capt. A. p. Hill, of the Cam
den Rifles, (brother of Gen. d. II. Hill, o
North Carolina, and member of the Mis-
sissippi Secession Convention slightly, il
the arm; and Willis Haddox, slightly.
The entire casualties upon our side ma,
be considered definitely ascertained, since
a dispatch was received yesterday by
President Davis from Gen. Beauregard
based on a report from Gen. Evans, il
which the Confederate loss is stated at q
killed and 100 wounded. The Fedora
loss is set down by the same high authori
ty at 200 killed, wounded or captured
We have no doubt of the entire accurac,
of this information.
As we stated yesterday, there is no trutl
in the rumor that Gen. Evans has ialler
back from Leesburg, though it seems t.
be the general impression that the enem,
crossed the river subsequent to the battl,
and again retired TO more secure place
We have reports of reinforcements bein,
sent up to Gen. Evans, but not in form
sufficiently authentic to justify publica