American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-11-02
- IlI.1ateh. o. -
If0in tlle IflcLTI0Itl L.i-II Us VI
The Battle OF Leesburg Position OF the
forces-The Casualties on Both Sides.

ferces-rhe Casualties on Both Sides.
The recent victory Of Gen- Evans over the
enemy near Leesburg continuesthe prominent
topic OF conversation, and eeeTT mes TACT or
incident is received With the utmost relish
DR.. Geo. V. Stewart, Of Madison eounty,
Miss, has placed US IN possession Of some
interesting information connected with the
battle. gathered from soldiers who partici-
pated 1t appears that a report reached
Gen Evans tina; the Federals were crossing
the river at Edwards Ferry on Monday
morning, and the 18th Mississippi regiment
was sent down from Leesburg TO keep them
in check; and under the belief that the hear
lest portion of the euemy's forces would
cross at that point, the 18th Mississippi regi-
ment followed 1t turned out, however, that
another place was chosen by the enemy, some
two miles further up the river, where the
channel is from l75 to 200 yards in width,
aud not forbade. They crossed in fiat boats
and skifs, and the first engagement was be
tween the 8th Virginia regiment and the ad-
vanced columns of the foe. The skirmishing
continued with considerable severity for some
hours, aud the 18th Mississippi, hearing the
firing, marched in double-quick time to the
scene Of action the 18th remaining at Ed
wards Ferry, to prevent the enemy crossing
there and executing flank movement. The
grand and closing fight Of the day took place
about o'clock P n, when the Fedssals
made desperate stand on the bank of the
river La clear space between two growths
Of forest, our three regiments-the 8th Viz
GINA and the 18th and 18th Mississippi regi-
ments-had the enemy partially sorround eds
forming a sort OF semi-circular trap, from
which the victims had no means Of escape
except By the river or through the woods on
either side The latter alternative was
adopted by some who were afterwards cap
,uIed. The fighting now became terrible
The contending forces were in close proximi-
". and we are informed that not only bullets
and bayonets but even bowie-kniSes were
used with fearful effect upon the enemy. The
latter, finding they were oyerpowered, made
an effort to reach their boats, which a large
number succeeded in doing but the rush
was SO great that several boats were over
turned or sunk, aud the panic-stricken SOL
diers were drowned in great numbers. We
have no means Of ascertaining how many
reached the island in the river; but it is not
so difficult to say how many failed in the at
tempt. Those who were left on the shore
then laid down their arms and surrendered,
and this terminated the battle.
We have the following list of casualties in
the 18th Mississippi regiment: 1917
KIYsa-Hon. John I. Cooper, volunteer
private in the Beauregard Rifles, and formerly
member of the Mississippi Legislature;
Jack Pettus, a private in the Burt Rifles, and.
son Of Gov. Pettus, Of Mississippi.
Voundsd~Col. Burt, badly, in the thigh;
Geo Wilson, slightly; Frank Clark (nephew
of Mr.. Cooper, mortalIy; - Short, slight
ly; John Divine, wounded in the head, not
MORALLY Norval Sanders, in the leg Capt.
A P Hill, of the Camden Rifles (brother of
Gen. D. II. Hill, Of North Carolina, and mem
Der of the Mississippi Secession Convention,
slightly, ia the arm; and Willis Haddox,
slightly.
The entire casualties upon our side may
be considered definitely ascertained, since a
dispatch was received yesterday by President
Davis, from Gen. Reauregard, based a re-
port from Gen. Evans, in which the Confede-
rate loss is stated at % killed and 100 wound
ed. The Federal loss is set down by the
same high authority at 200 killed, wounded
or captured. We have no doubt of the entire
accuracy of this information.
As we stated yesterday, there is no truth
in the rumor that Gen. Evans has fallen back
from Leesburg, though it seems to be the gen
eral impression that the enemy crossed the
river subsequent to the battle and again re-
tired to d more secure place. We have re-
ports of reinforcements being sent up to Gen.
Evans, but not in a form sufficiently anthem
tic to justify publication.