The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-08-22
A Federal Victory ut Baton Rouge.
DESTRUCTION OF HE RAM ARKANSAS.


The steamers North Star and Roanoke.
from New Orleans the 10th. have arrived al
New York, bringing the particulars of the
defeat of the rebels at Baton Rouge. and de
struction of the ram Arkansas \ letter
from Baton Rouge says that Minis battely
thrice repuised the foe and did them Srea,
slaughter. breckenridge lost his right arm
by cannon ball. The fight took place on
the edge of the town. Gen Williams being
unwilling 10 expose helpless women and Chi
dren. We captured large number of pris-
oners, including Capt Blunt. Breckinridge'>
aid. Gen Williams, who was killed. behaved
like hero. Minis men are entitled 10 I'M
perishable glory. The loss of the enemy must
have been very severe, rs our men charged
al recharged upon them. We have taken
three guns. Another account saws that TIE
rebel troops are variously estimated at from
5000 to $4,000, under Gems Lowell and Breck-
inridge. The contest was obstinate. Oar
loss was 80 killed. including large proper
| ton of officers. The rebel loss. according 10
! prisoners, was immense. Among the killed
was Gen Lowell.
! The ram Arkansas was aground above Baton
Rouge. when the Essex and other gunhoats
attacked her, set her on fire. and she blew
up.
/ The transport Whitman ran into The gun
! boat Oneida. 30 miles above New Orlears.ofl
the night of the 9th, and the transport was
sunk. Ii had the body o: Gen Williams, with
an escort Of SIX Of his body guard also II
of orr and ; confederate wounded. The
/ body was recovered, with IS of our wounded
soldiers, and of the body guard saved. The
official report of Col Cahill, commanding the
post after the death of Gen Williams. states
that the rebel force consisted of about 10 re-
inents. After fight Of four hours. Of great
severity, the enemy were repulsed. General
Williams was killed by a nile bal through
| the chest.
/ During the battle our forces were obliged
/ TO retire about quarter OF 4 mile from Their
original position, and the enemy were able
temporarily to occupy the Camps of the 2lst
Indiana, eth Vermont. and 10Th Maine. an,:
to destroy much of the baggage and camp
equipage. They were, however, driven out.
But our numbers being much lessened by
| sickness,ant the men Oh the field being much
exhausted by fatigue anu heat, it Was deemed
expedient not TO pursue. The enemy have
retired several miles and are still retiring. Ii
is possible they may receive reinforcements
and our troops are being disposed in tn.
strongest positions. Our force engaged mum
bered less than 300. The enemy had a,
least 1000. with - or II field pieces. and
some cavalry. The ram Arkansas approach
ed with the intention of engaging cur gun.
boats, but grounded at distance of miles
and on the 9TH was engaged by the Essex and
destroyed. Brig-Gen Clark and his AID, Il
Ierger, delivered themselves TO Us as prison
ers of war. We have also 20 wounded AMI
prisoners, and so captured.
breckenridge, on the 9th. asked permission
in writing to bury his dead. Col Cahill re-
piled that our men were engaged in the woik
which would soon be accomplished. A pas
senger from Baton Rouge states that our loss
is 20 killed and llJ wounded. Gen VII
liams had 3 horses shot under him. He was
killed while rallying the 2lst Indiana. who
had just lost field piece. The gun was re.
taken, but Gen Williams fell pierced by sew
eral bullets.
The number of wounded is about as fol.
lows:
l4th Maine, 81
4th Wisconsin, 20
9th Michigan, 10