Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-11-15
From The Memphis Avalanche
THE BATTLE OF C0LUMBUr,

We have conversed with Mr. Samuel Harris Of
the Washington Rlfos Of this city, who was an
eyewitness Of the Battle at Coumbuu end from him
we gather the following interesting particulars
To prevent the Federals from erecting batteries
on the Missouri shore opposite Columbus, and TO
act as scouts, Col. Tappan's Arlsarsas regiment
Col. Marks Louisiana regiment and some cavalry,
had been for months encampcd on the Missouri
shore opposite Columbus News was brought 10
che encampment about o'clock on ThGrsiuy NOR :
ing, that the enemy was coming upon them in large
force, and was actually only three miles distant.
Immediately information of the fact was seat over
10 Columbus when Gen. Pillow, with Coils. Pick
etts, Russclis aad Wrlghts regiments, and Lo .
woods cavalry, were transported to the Missouri
shore. They had only iaAded, and gone about a
half mile from the boats when the enemy appeared
niull force in the woods, and the fighting immcd-
ately commenced. The light battery which had
been stationed on the Missouri shore was first
brought into requsition, but the enemy kept adj
vancing and driving in our force rs they moved,
till finally by IL O'Clock, they had taken our bat
terry and entire encampment our troops being fore
ei under the bluff 70 The waters edge.
The enemy flushed with victory, then partially
ceased their pursuit and engaged in setting fire to
our tents, taking prisoners and committing other
depredatioos. They shortly after opened fire u, )
on the steamers Prince and charm, which were en-
ball through the whee-honse of both, but not ser-
ousy iniuring either. This act led our friends at
Columbus to suspect that eide had been repulsed
land Immediately heavy cannonadc was opened
from the Columbus side on the enemy then in our
camp on the Missouri shore. The 2s FOUNDER did
fearful execution. In the meantime, Gen. Pillow,
having been reinforced by Col. CAROLS Walkers,
Freeman's, Stephens and the 12tl Louisiana regi-
ments, reformed his forces about mile above our
encampment, on the river ard executed flank
movement on the enemy, recaptured our battery
and was gallantiy driving the Federals before him
with great slaughter when, about o'clock, he was
still further reinforced by Col. Smiths regiment
and Blythe's Mississippi battalion in command of
Gen, Cheatham who, on landing on the Missouri
side, briefly but eloquenty appealed TO the ITO
follow him, and he would lead them TO hi or to
victory" The men, being fresh, soon caught UP
with the flying enemy, and in conjunction with
Logwoods Cavalry Battalion, pursued and cut them
Gown to within 80 yards of The gunboats on which
the enemy debarled-the enemy meanwhile keep
ing up most terrific cannonade upon our pursuing
hosts from the gunboas.
We captured large lot of ammunition about
two thousand stand of arms, few pieces of artillery
besides knapsaeks, wagons, coiors and overcoais
without number.
The enemy had engaged in the fight ten regiments
fifteen pieces of light artillery and some cavalry.
This report of their force is from prisoners taken
We had in the fight at first only Col. Tappans 18th
Arkansas regiment, Col. Freemafs 22nd regiment,
Col j. Knox Walkers I'd and Col Picketts LIST re-
giment in all about 2500 effective men. These
compose the body who fanked the enemy, recover
ed the battery that had been lost, and driving
them before them when Cheatham's reinforcements
came up and adding to their discontinue, made
them retreat in double quick time
Mr. Hartman says that when he left the scene
about IL o'clock Thursday night, 100 Of our killed
had been brought in and it was supposed that there
were from fifty to one hundred more scattered about
upon the field
He estimates the wounded on our side, at from
$50 to 300. Capt j. w. Armstrong was shot all
to pieces Col Pickett was shot between the shout
der and breast Major J. G. Finnie aid to Pillow,
had the lower jaw bone on the right side shot off
Capt. Safrnns was badly wounded, but was not
dead up to IL o'clock Thursday night; 1t. j. Walks
er was badly wounded in the right leg; Captain
Easily, of company, D, CAROLS regiment received
two bullets in his right breast, and Capt j. T. lay
ton of Liberty Guards Pieketts regiment was bad
| ly wounded, being shot in the shoulder Capt. Tay-
Tor of PicllettS regiment, was dangerously wounded
being shot in the abdomen.
The whole field was covered with slain Federals
It is supposed that from four to five hundred FEEDER
ais ut least were killed, and as many wounded.
| Over 200 prisoners had been brought in Thurs
day night It is supposed that the enemy lost in
killed. wounded and prisoners, at least 1000.
Among the prisoners brought in were Col Dough.
erty, in command of brigade, Gen. Bowling, Col
Buford, a Lieut. Colonel Captain of Artillery, and
a number of commissioned officers.
| From other sources We learn the following par.
ticulars of the wounded
Major Thomas Stokes, of Col Watkins regiment,
Capt Irby and Lieut.. w. Coleman, of the Cuba
Guards, and three pryates in Capt. Whitsetts COM
panS are repo ted killed. Col. Preston Smith had
his horse shot under him Sergeant Samuel Croft
Robert Riley John Young and Geo. Frazer, of Capt
Whistles company, 2lst regHz14b are among tn,
wounded
1t is fortunate that the federals made this attack
at the time they did, for another day would have
found large portion of our forces on the way tc
Paducah.