The Nevada Democrat., 1861-11-26
Nerada democrat.
The Fight on Santa Rosa Island.

The Fight on Santa Rosa Island.
The attack made by the rebels, on the
night of October 9th, upon Wilson's Zou-
aves, encamped on Santa Rosa Islaad, was
anything but brilliant or successful ex-
ploit. The attacking force of rebels num-
bered about fifteen hundred, while there
were but two hundred of Wilson's men in
the camp. The rebels approached in three
directions, either shooting down or making
prisoners OF the piokets, and took the camp
by surprise. The Zouaves fed in confusion
towards the fort, and their tents and camp
equipage were set on fire and destroyed.
Three companies of regulars were sent from
the fort TO the assistance of the Zouaves,
aud the rebels fed 10 confusion at their as
proach. They were followed to the beach,
some thirty or forty being killed in the re-
treat, aud large number we're shot in tne
water while getting aboard their boats.
Eleven of the Zouaves.were killed, fifteen
wounded and nine taken prisoners. The
regulars lost four killed, twenty wounded,
and ten prisoners.
Col. Wilson, in letter to his wife, gives
the following account of the fight:
CAMP Brown, FoRT PICKENs,
Sixth Regiment, N. Y. ", Oct. ii.
Dear Wife: am ia a great hurry. We
had terrible attack two nights ago. Two
thousand men came upon as at three O'Clock
in the morning. We, however, turned out
aud gave them fight. / had but two hun
dred men 10 the camp al the time, and the
rebels must have had at least two thousand;
but the few had did well, and we killed
quite number. Eleven of my men are
killed, several wounded, and number
taken prisoners. My old cook Napoleon is
taken prisoner. We killed about four hun
dred OF the rebels and took forty prisoners.
| sm without a stitch of clothing, but all
right and unhurt. My men fought good.
The pickets fought like devils. We lost pa
pers and everything. got ont buttoning
my pants to receive them. Their war cry
was, mo quarter to Wilson or his men,"
Your husband, WILLIAM WILSON.
A Confederate soldier, writing to the At
lanta (Ga.) Intelligeueer, gives the follow
ing particulars:
Our tody consisted of about 1900. We
had only few hours notice Of the enter
prise, but were ordered to prepare 40 rounds
of ammunition, aud be ready for any emer-
gency. At 9 o'clock at night we left the
wharf Of the navy yard and proceeded to
Pensacola, where we were placed aboard
some launches, and quietly landed on Santa
Rosa Island. We were landed about
miles below the fortification, and deployed
in three coumns-one along the bay beach,
another in the center, and the third along
the gulf beach. Our object was to surround
the Zouaves and make an attack from all
quarters simultaneously.
We started out, quick time, by columns,
along our respective lines, and had every
prospect of success, as the enemy were not
dreaming that any one had the termity to
undertake so bold an experiment. We had
proceeded about miles withou! any inter-
ruption, except occasionally meeting an sd-
Vanced picket, who, in some instances, were
shot down, and in others either surrounded
or fed preciptately. After little skir-
mishing along the way we reached the en-
campment, just in time to see quarters fired
and the guns spiked. The 9th Georgia and
10th Mississippi each claimed the honor Of
having first reached the tents, &C., aud ap.
plying the torch.
After remaining till the camps were con-
sumed, and our obj ects accomplished, we
retreated to our launches, as the fort could
not be carried by storm. Amid this excite
ment and confagration the widest disorder
reigned. Companies were disorganized,
and no such thing as regiment wac known.
Our men retired in great confusion, and the
line was confused mass, moving without
orders and almost without object II was
wonderful that our soldiers should have
fallen into such disorder, and been so en-
tirely given up to excitement. Our men
we're as brave aud as daring as il was pos.
sible for soldiers to be, and, in the presence |
Of the enemy, acted with as much gallantry |
as the occasion warranted. One cause of
the confusion of ranks was the strange land
we had to climb over, and the deep bOgs
we had to wade l scarcely know whether
we achieved victory or suffered defeat.
We did the duty which we went to perform
and did it well; yet we shot down our
friends in numbers. Indeed, think as
many of our men we're shot by friends as
by foes.
Gen. Bragg sent boat over TO Fort
Pickens this morning for the dead. They
gave them mp, and report only Is bodies
found and 30 prisoners. fear the loss may
drove heavier after investigation.