The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-07-22


finding il too hot, fell back into the woods
out of sight. The command was given
again, pieces by hand to the front; for
ward march," Col. Hovey himself caught
hold of the trail of one of the guns, and ex-
claimed, Let's push them forward, boys
Col. Wood and Lieut. Baker also took bold
of the drag rope hooks and assisted in NOV
/ ing the gnns forward. On the guns were
pushed, the cavalry under Major Glen
denning following in line of battle, ready
for .he charge. Our men pressed on with
enthusiastic ardor. Advancing in this way
quarter of mile, the enemy were des-
cried, formed in the same mode as before.
We got up to within one hundred yards,
when they opened FIRE upon as We re-
turned the fire with canister from the little
guns, with occasional carbine and pistol
shots from the canro liers. The fire prov
ing too CALLING for the enemy, be again re-
treated, leaving a number Of dead strewn
on the ground. Thirteen dead rebels were
biting the dust from the .sffecis of our can
mister shots. Bowels and brains were scat
tered on the ground, and the blood be-
smeared the bushes in the vicinity.
The order was given by Col Wood TO
Major Clendeuning to draw sabre and
charge. Taking companies E and G, the
Mnjor shouted, Come on, boys, it's our
turn now,p and plunged down the road into
the brush, where they were met by tre-
mendous volley, poured in on them by the
rebels. At thr first FIRE the Major was se-
verely wounded, receiving ball through
the left lung and Capt. Sloane, of Co. E
who was bravely charging in front, was in
stantly killed by a shot in the head. The
Major, unmindful CT his wound, still led on
his men, and the latter poured in several
volleys on the rebels from their carbines
and pistols, endorsing one, and killing
number of the enemy. The rebels were
staggered, and turning on their heels, fed
in confusion. Our artillery followed close
up, when the recall was sounded, and the
cavalry fell back behind the pieces. Major
Clendenning, in returning. tainted and fell
fom his horse, and was picked up by one of
the men, who carried him off the field on
bis shoulders.
The pieces were then limbered up and
pushed forward in pursuit, the cavalry
keeping close in the rear. In this way we
advanced three-fourths of mile, when
small parties of The rebels were discovered,
still retreating. The guns were again un.
limbered, and dozen shells were thrown
after them, killing four, who were found at
a long distance ahead in the road. Colonel
Hovey now ordered the iniaotry to the
front, intending to deploy them as skir-
mishers, with an extended 'front.' and follow
up the foe. A consultation ives held by the
officers, and it was decided to hold the
ground already won, and wait further de-
velopments-as our force was getting too
far from succor, in a country of which we
were perfectly ignorant. The woods were
thick-the force of the enemy unknown.
We had driven the enemy three miles. Af-
ter hating there two hours, and no enemy
making his appearance, Lieur. Col. Wood
returned to the Clarendon road, and went
to the Bayou Du Vue to carry out his orig
inal intention Gen. Benton came up with
his brigade and took command. In camp
it was supposed that the fight took place on
another road and consequently Gen. Ben
toms orders were to make rapid recon.
noisance down the Des Arc road. DUmosis
howitzers were pushed forward down one
road after the enemy. A shot was fred on
the rebels, and three men killed. Four
kegs of powder were found concealed. The
houses along the road were filled with rebel
wounded, aud the porches and door steps
were besmeared with blood. from those
which they carried away. They abandoned
their camp, and fed across the Cache river,
destroying a bridge they had constructed
with boats.
The bank on the opposite side was also
out very steep so as to prevent pursuit from
our cavalry. 1t has been subsequently, as
certaiued that 5000 Texans under Rust
crossed at Des Arc Sunday, the 9Th, for the
purpose of fighting us near the blockade,
and annoy and obstruct our advance in eve
ry possible way. But the whipping they
received has entirely knocked the conceit
out of them.
The tact, fertility of resource, and militia
ry qualities displayed by Col. Hovey has
won the admiration of all. He is cool and
brave in the trJi3g hour of danger. / was
present on the evening of the fight, when
Gen. Steele congratulated the Colonel on
the successful issue of the day. Among the
heroes of the day who behaved with distiu-
guished gallantry, the names of Col. Harris
of the 1Ith Wisconsin, Capt. Peter of the
33d Illinois, and Major Clendenning of the
1st Indiana cavalry, stand conspicuous.
The -eaemy's killed has been placed at
10, and by the Arkansas people in sympa-
thy with the rebels, still higher. They think
200 were killed. We buried 81 of their
dead. and think this will be the number
that Col. Hovey will adopt in his report.
The number of rebel wounded will not pro-
badly amount to the usual proportion with
the killed, as our Minnie balls bit to kill.
Our killed amounted to 5, and wounded
At The enemy's shots few too high to
tlke effect One of our messengers, taken
prisoners by the enemy, was found riddled
with balls in the side. His wrists were
pricked raw, and the report was current
that be was tied to a tree and dispatched,
but this is doubted Corporal Medley Of
company F, 1Ith Wisconsin, was wounded
in the arm, and brought away a wounded
and then went back into the fight.
Our wounded were taken to the house, and
every care was taken of the sufferers which
the circumstances OF the case demanded, by
DR.. F. N. Burke, Brigade Surgeon of the 1st
Division, assisted by DIR. Isaac CasselbHry,
lst Indiana cavalry, DR.. Strong, 1lth Wis
consiu, and Dr.. N. T. Abbott of the 33d IL
linois regiment.
rode over the battle ground the same
evening, and saw the usual horrors of a
battle on every side. The bodies of the
rebels were being gathered aud buried. One
grave had nine bodies in it. A flag of truce