Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-29
our WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE.
THE CAMPAIGN IN VIRGINIA.
The Rattle Near Lee sbuTx.
Frnn The PichnnnI Fram.n.r. Oct. 8.


We have obislned some further and intelligent
particulars Of the Iaie brilliant engagement, cur
side near Leesburg and Of the extent and glorious
incidents of our victory. These details are from
the intelligent testimony of eye witnesses of the
battle and may be taken as a reliable version Of il
They represent cur victory to have surpassed even
the accounts heretofore published by us, and to
have given manifestation of the ardent and des
perate courage Of cur troops, such as seldom has
been exhibited il the history Of any campaign.
The fighting on our side Is described terrific.
In the thiCkest of the fight the Mississippi troops
throwing aside their muskets, knapsacks ard even
hats, charged upon the Yankees with Bowie
knives, making the attack with yells Of rage and
excitement
The enemy made three distinct attacks upon our
lines At time in the action, for the space of about
twenty minutes, the battle ragged, with the two OPP
posing forces within thirty feet of zach other amid
the stunning reports of musketry and occasional
essays Of the eneHy to reach US with the bayOnet.
The attempts to charge bayonets on our lines was
held in check each time by the steady fire Of our
troops; and, when their turn came to Charge, they
rushed into the enemy with fury that is said 70
have swept them into the most indascribsble dis
order and panic stricken confusion.
Great credit IN the action il awarded to the
Eighth Virginia Regiment commanded by Col Eppa
Hunton. This regiment said to have assailed the
enemy on the flank at critical point of the action,
and to have completed his disorder by the effect Of
their attack.
most extraordinary gslantry; and the generos-
ity of even his enemy accOras the highest
praise to the courage and devotion displayed by
him in the thIckest of the fight. His body was
pierced through and through by bullets. He fought
on, without drawing the least kOtice to his wounds
until at last, he fell dead by shot from Mississippi
rihenan, that pierced his temple.
Of the large number of prisoners taken by US,
the most considerable portion are SAID to be Irish
and Germans, butfew of the 'Irrepressibe conflict"
Yankees showing their faces in the lot.
The Battle OF LeesburR---POsitIon OF The
FO.ces--The CasuaIiIies on FsOIh SIdsB.
From the Richmond Examiner Oct %.
The recent victory of Gen Evans over the enc
my near Leesburg continues the prominent topic Of
conversation, and every fact incident ID re-
ceIved with the utmost relish Dr. George W. Stew
art of Madison county Miss. has placed US in posses
sion # interesting Information connected with
the battle gathered from sold ers AO par iaipated
Il appears that report reached General Evans that
the Federals were crossing the river at Edward
Ferry, on Monday morning. and the 18Th Mississippi
regiment sent down IRON Lsesburg to keep
them 10 check, and under the belief that the heav
lest portion Of the enemys forces would cross at
that point the 18Th Mississippi followed II turnC
CUT. however, t at another place was 0lCs By the
enemy, some two miles higher up the river. where
the channel Is from l75 to 200 yards in width and
not fOrdable. They crossed in f4tbOats and skifs
and tie first engagement was between the 9Th NIr
GINA regiment snd the advanced columns of the
foe. The diminishing continued with considerable
severity for some hours, and the 18Th Mississippi
hearing the firing. marched in double qGick time to
the scene of action; The 18th remaining at Ell.
wards Ferry, TO prevent the enemys cross
ing there and executing a flank move
ment. The grand and closing fight Of
the day took place about o'clock P. NJ, when the
Federzls made desperate stand the banks of the
river. In a lear space between the two growths
of forest, three sgimeuts the Sth Virginia and
the 18th aud 18Th Mississippi had the enemy par
tally surrounded. forming a sort Of semi circular
trap. from which the victims had no means Of es-
cape except by the river or through the woods on
either side. The latter alternative adopted by
some, who were afterwards captured. The fight,
Ipg now became terrible. The COntending forces
were in close proximity. and we informed that
not only bullets and bayoners, but even bowie
knives were used with fearful effect up)a the enc
my. The latter finding they were Overpo wered .
made 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 Of ascertaining
how mauv reached the island il the river but il is
not so difficult 10 say how many failed in the at
tempt. those who ere left IN the shore then laid
ted th. TO-. is.
We kave IN following list of cssulties in tie 18Th
Mississippi regiment;
Atttu-LAOu Joial l. OCOpcFs u FOlunteFF private
in the Bssuregard Rfes-f0rmarly a member of
the Mississippi Legislature; Jack Pettus private in
Burt Rihes-son Of Gov. Pettus of Mississippi.
Wolglied.-Col Burt badly in the thigh George
Wilson, slightly; Frank Clark, nephew Of Mr.,
Cooper MORALLY; Short, slightly; John Devine
wOundei IN the head not mortally; North Saunders
in the leg Capt A. 2. Ill., of the Camden RIfss, l
brother Of Gen. J.. II. Hill, OF North CarolIBa ard
member Of the Mis sissippi Secession Convention
slightly, IN the arm; and Wills HsddOx, slightly. /
he entire casualties upon our side may be con. .
sdered dttiIitey asCertsIzed, since dispatch WAS
received yesterday by President Davis from Gen. .
Bssurs gard, based on report from Gen Evans. in .
whcl the Confederate loss IS stassl at p killed and
I20 wounded. The Federal loss is set down By the
same high auth rIty at 200 killed, or captured
W. have doubt Of the entire accuracy Of this in
Jrmau0n.
As we stated yesterday, fhzre is 10 truth in the
'umOr that Gen. Evans has fallen back from Lees
burg, though it seems to be the general impression
hat the enemy crossed the river subsequent to the