New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-08-28
The Battle In Missouri.

A friend has furnished US with copy OF an Ar-
kansas paper containing an account of the battle
of Oak Hill, written by a soldier who was in the
fight. We extract the following:
Capt. Woodruf's battery, supported by the Lou.
siana Regiment with the Sd Infantry as a reserve,
were thrown out against Lyon and occupied hill
to the left of our camp. In the meantime, Col.
Churchrs regiment and the Texas Rangers (who
had been surprised and fired upon before they
could leave their ten) were engaging the enemy
with deadly effect Col. CarroIl's regiment also
became engaged about this time, and had assisted
to charge the enemy from their position. The Lou
isiana Regiment then engaged Lyons infantry in a
desperate hand to hand conflict. The ground was
warmly contested, and many OF our brave men fell
in the conflict. Woodruff's battery had checked
Lyons advance, and the Louisiana Regiment were
attempting to drive them back
Never did brave men stand up longer or firmer
against fearful odds and a deadly fire than these
Southern boys. In the meantime SiegeI had ad-
vanced on the right ard opened fire from his bat
terry upon our brave fellows. The Louisiana boys
determined to turn and take his battery. AS they
advanced Capt Reid, of the Fort Smith Artillery,
had been taken by Gen. Price to a position on a
hill commanding Siegers forces, and opened upon
them with dreadful effect. Fourteen fell at one
| fire, and the Federals commenced an immediate
retreat. With yell, the Louisiana boys charged
their battery and took it. the whole force fleeing
| before them. Lyons force was still advancing,
and the Louisiana Regiment, already much cut up
'an the fight, were sustaining heavy fire. re
port also came IN that the enemy mad rallied and
| were again forming on the right At this juncture
the battle wavered, and we feared for the result
Our boys had fallen in great numbers and the Mis-
sourians had been slaughtered fearfully but the
gallant Sd of Arkansas had not yet been in the ac
tion and something had to be done quickly to save
| the day.
Gen. Price led the Third and Fifth to the rescue
| and the day ours. l heard Gen. McCulloeh
after the fight, say: Price, the seoundrels haG
| me down when you came up with the Third ant
| Fifth and saved me and the battle, for we were
| gone under.''
| Our gallant soldiers marched forward to ths
| deadly fray with steady nerves and unblanchet
cheeks. They got within one hundred and fft,
yards of the enemy's line, when such deadly fir
| was opened upon them that they fell like gras
before the scythe but still on they went and in
few moments more they had driven the enemy
from their position, and compelled them to fly
before them. / was by Gen. Prices side during
this part of the engagement.
Men who were in this fight that fought in Mexico
say that no engagement, either at Contreras OF
| Buena Vista, equaled it for violence or duration
| The ground was contested inch by inch, but oul
brave fellows drove them off with fearful slaughter
| Woodruff again, by order Of Gen. Price, opened or
| them as they fed, and the route complete
| The Texas boys then pursued Siegel on our right
capturing eighty prisoners and two pieces of artil
lery. The fight lasted six hours, and was as blood,
a battle, suppose as on record. 1t is reported
| this morning that the enemy have fled far beyon'
| Springfield. .'-'"' n