American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-11-16

from lis correspondent written from
memoranda furnished BY Capt Yoang.
and said to be confirmed in ali is details
by Major Smith. of the Califorais resi-
ment. We copy portion of il. as fol-
lows
AT four O'Clock our whole force had
crossed and ascended. Col Baker and
staff with the rest. and the troops were
suffering somewhat from the concealed
enemy's fire. Many had dropped and
been carried down the hill
We asked Col. Baker wha, he thought
of affairs He said tkat he thought We
had good position: could fall back for
shelter behind the ridge. : Yes" said
We. /" but what's in those woods He
answered. Il ihink the enemy are con-
cealed en- cur right A private had
reported that there was no force on the
left, but deep ravine. hidden BY the
woods. We then proposed 10 send Skin
mishers to make reconn<isanee on the
right. and Captain Markce. 81 Lieut.
Williams, and myself advanced with
companies A and ID Of the California;
regiment. Company A got in front OF
rising ground. in skirmIshipg order.
company ID following in line
The California battalion. TO make the
story clear. were drawn up on the left Of
the open field the Massachusetts l5-h
and Tammany on The right. and the Ma
sachuseits goth nearer the center. Col.
Cogswell took charge of the artillery.
Only four guns were planted in the irld.
the rifle gun having been hauled mp at
the wrong place. and being afterwards
seized By the enemy and spiked
When our skirmishing companies had
reached the edge Of the woods. suddenly
the enemy. hitherto concealed. rose with
yell and fred a volIey; then began
fighting in their usual manner. first Civ
ing yell and voley. then loading aai
firing at will for few minutes. and
then ceasing for an equal time then
giving another yell and volley. and 80
on, pouring murderous FIRE into oar
little band for the space Of half an hour
The whole woods suaTmed With them.
They had no artillery and no cavalry
Our Rhode Islanders. except the officers.
deserted their guns but Col Baker.
Lieut.. Col. Wistsr. Col. CogSweil. and
Adjutant Harvey manned the battery
and fred The guns themselves. aided BY
company G. l~t California. led by the
gallant Capt. Beiral.
We kept up both musketry aEd can
non fire as well a. We could. tat bali the
time we could not see the emery. and
his cowardly discharges were thianirg
our ranks still most Of the men stood
firm. and acted bFavelY. The enemy's
volleys and yells increased in logdneS~.
and it was evident that reinforce ruen,~
were pouring in to his aid. 4, $ T. II
we held a council of war. and resolved
to stand our gFoun1. Gen Baker order
ing me to go for reiaforcemenss. By
this time CogsweIi was wounded-Wi~
ter had fallen. The enemy we're
growing more daring. rushing out Of the
woods, taking some prisoners. and firing
holly.
just then rebel officer. riding a white
horse, came out of the woods and beck
oned to us to come forward Col Baker
thought it was Gen. Johnston. and that
the enemy would meet US IN open f-ht.
Part of our column charged. Baker
cheering US on. when tremendous on
set was made by the rebels. One man
rode forward. presented revolver az
Our gallant leader fell. and mt the same
moment al our lines were driven back By
The overwhelming force opposed to them
But Captain Bieral. vifh his company. 4
fought his way back to Col. Bakers BODY. 4
rescued it. brought it along TO me. and
then general retreat commenced
l 60, The Colonel's body to the island
before the worst OF the rout. and Their.
looking to the Virginia shore. saw such
a spectacle as no tongue can describe.
Our entire forces Were retrestin-. tum-
bling. rolling. leaping down the steep
heights the enemy following them.
numbering and taking prisoners. Col.
Deyin left his command, and swan the
river On horseback. Col. Cogswell. az
ter unavailing bravery. had ordered the
retreat himself, but being wounded. was
taken The one boat in the Virginia
channel was speedily filed and sunk
Muskets. coats. and everything were
thrown aside, and all were desperately
trying to escape Hundreds plunged in
TO the rapid current. and he shrieks Of
the drowning added to the horror OF
sound and sight. The enemy kept up
their FIRE from the cliff above. All was
terror. confusion. and dismay- A cap
tain of the 18th Massachusetts, At one
time charged CALAMITY up the Hill. Lead
ing two companies. who still had their
arms. against the pursuing foe.
A moment later and the same officer.
perceiving the hopeles<Eess Of the si,ua- \
ton. waved whine handkerchief. and sur
rendered the main body of his regiment
Other portions Of the column snrren-