Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-10-31
The Attack on Billy Wilson's zou-
ayes.-From our Blockading Fleet
off New Orleans.

The Attack on Billy Wilson's Zou-
aves.-From our Blockading Fleet
off New Orleans.
The steamer Mcclellan, formerly the Jos.
Whitney, arrived at New York on the oath
fion Key West. She brings advices from the
Southwest pass to the l4th, from Fort Pickens
to the 18th, Tortugas to the 18th, and Key
West to the 10Th, as follows:
On the morning of the 9th inst, about
half past three o'clock, the rebels attacked
Col. Wilson position on Santa Rosa Island
in force: Company T. Of the 2d infantry.
Capt. Hildt, and 81 men Of Compav A. Isl
artillery, IS men in all, under Mai. Vogdes.
met the enemy some distance above Camp
Brown. Maj. Vogdes was taken prisoner
Immediately, and Capt. Hildt assumed his
command, and engaged the enemy. The
lossin this struggle was killed, Il wounded
and prisoners. The enemy's loss IL much
larger; II Of the rebels were found dead in
one heap.
Maj. Arnold arrived after daylight to the
assistance Of Capt. Hildt. The command
proceeded to the point where the rebels had
disembarked. Their steamers were lust
leaving and destructive fire was opened on
them. The rebels left behind them on the
Island Y killed, S wounded and 80 prisoners.
Many OF their wounded were carried away
on the boats. Capt. Bradford and Lieut..
Elms were killed. Three of their officers
were captured, one of whom is Lieut.. .Jac-
ques, formerly Of the Z. s. Marines. He is
probably wounded. Gen. Anderson, who was
IN command Of the rebels, was wounded in
the arm after disembarking. The enemy
acknowledge their loss TO be over 100.
In addition to the loss on our side. above
stated, the Zouaves lost killed in their
camp and ] taken prisoners.
The details of the fight at Santa Rosa saw
the rebel forces, 800 strong, landed on the
Island; from three steamers abont four miles
above Wilson's camp. Their landing was
effected at about two o'clock in the morning.
The night was very dark. They rapidly
formed in three columns and pro-
ceeded silently towards the Zouave camp,
hoping to effect total surprise. in which
they we're partially successful Tie picket
guard about 600 yards off discovered and
fired upon them, gave the alarm and saved
the regiment from annihilation The attack
by the enemy's columns was simultaneous
and volley after volley was aimed at the
Zouaves, who were forced to fall back, leav-
ing their camp in the hands of the rebels.
The rebels then commenced burning the
camp.
Fort Pickens was by this time thoroughly
aroused, and three companies came to their
assistance. The rebels retreated to the boats,
closely followed by the regulars and a small
number of volunteers, keeping destructive
fire upon them, killing and wounding large
number
The rebels finally reached the boats, but
the steamers were over 500 yards from the
beach. and our men poured repeated volley.
into the crowded mass, and by the shout.
and confusion of the rebels it was evident
that we had obtained ample satisfaction 70,
the insult to our flag.
The regulars behaved nobly. Great cred.
it is due to Captains Robertson and Hill
and Lieutenants Zelley and Taylor. The
Wilson Zouaves were badly mentioned, and
Col. Wilson is very much censured for ineffi.
cheney. He did not reach the scene until all
was over. The camp was almost entirely
destroyed, the officers and men losing every
thing. Major Newby had narrow escape
from capture, being confined to bed fiou
dangerous illness. One of his servants wa:
killed and the other taken prisoner Major
Newly shot one rebel with his revolver, got
out Of the house, mounted his horse anG
escaped through storm of bullets.
Wilson regiment lost l0killed, I6 wound
ed and 9 taken prisoners The regulars los
4 killed 20 wounded and 10 taken prisoners
The rebels lost, by their own statement
$50 killed wounded and missing. We tool
80 prisoners, including three doctors, VIII
were released.
The stamer Mcclellan also brings a re
liable account Of the fight ut the mouth OF
the Mississippi. The rebel feet consisted O
;, six gun boats, the Ram, Manassas, and
large number of fire ships, filling the rive
from shore to shore. Our squadron com
posed Of the Richmond, Huntsville, Waite
Witch, Preble, and Vincennes, and the stor
ship Nightingale. They were at anchor in
side Of the southwest Pass. The Man
assas drifted afoul of the Richmond, knock
ing hole in her quarter and stern, doin,
but little damage. To avoid the fire ship:
the squadron got under way Immediately
and drifted down the river. The Richmond
Preble, Vincennes and Nightingale 20
ashore on the bar, and while ashore wen
attacked by the rebels, but only one of hi
shots took effect, and that struck the Rich
mond in the quarter. They we're beaten of
by the Vincennes, with only two guns, tn
rest Of her armament, with her chains, an
chors, &c, having been thrown overboar
to tighten her, she being much exposed t.
the rebel fire. Not one person was killed o
wounded in the squadron. The Richmond
Preble and Vincennes were towed off tn
next day by the steamer Mcclellan. Tn
Nightingale was still ashore, but woul,
probably get off the next day.
The steam frigate Niagara arrived at tn
mouth of the Mississippi on the 14th inst
The sloop. of.war Dale was spoken ON tn
10th, cruising in the Gulf stream.