Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-10-16

Il
CAMP NEAR SARCoxIE, October We have
/ beea looking for the secesh for some time, and
yesterday We saw more than We want to see
! sgain in IS strong a position.
THE ATTACK
Yesterday morning, at two o'clock, the Wis
consin 9 Ii Went to attack the enemy wherever
he eoUld be found. The enemy was supposed
| TO be at EeWtonia, eighteen miles southeast of
| this point. At daylight the Och attacked them
/ in NeWtonis, but found them in readiness for
them. The Federsls were compelled to fall back
on their artillery, which was doing good execu-
ton from an elevation about mile from town
However, they were soon driven from that point
with the loss Of several killed and ten prisoners,
by the enemy's artillery and cavalry. Our men
fell back to the timber about mile northwest
They were hOtly pursued by superior numbers
OF the enemy, but stood to thsir guns ike vets-
! rams. They fell back about three fourths Of a
mile into tbe timber, 70 an old farm. Here they
planted their artillery in an old peach orchard,
where the hardest Of the fighting was done. I
should have mentioned before that our men had
three pieces of Stockton's (Ohio) battery Here
our men for ned themselves 50 protect their eau
non, but they soon learned that the enemy had
/ the advantage, for our forces were unable 10
conceal themselves among the peach trees, and
unable to man their guns in the brush, while the
enemy with their bushwhaeking disposition,
could very easy pick of our men with the
greatest ease. The Ohio boys, supported by the
Wisconsin 9th, true to themselves, stood 70 the
very last, and did not fall back until many of
their brave comrades fell by their sides.
The cannonsding commenced about half-past
seven ia the morning, and as so0n.as this was
heard, we (6sh Kansas regiment) were ordered to
their relief. We were soon on the way, and the
boys all anxious to see the elephant again; we
moved on quite briskly.
We soon met some of the boys retreating; we
also met the smbulances filed with wounded
From what we could learn from the boys and
from the appearance of their countenenees.
thiAgs were very gloomy. Some told us that
our men were terribl y-cut up, and many taken
prisoners. Some advised US to 90 on, while
Others advised US to retreat, saying that the enc
my was very strong, and would drive us back
aud perhaps take us all
] might state here that the distance frsn this
place 70 Newtona is fourteen miles, and direction
east of south; five miles scFoss the prsirie to
timber, six miles through, and three from there
to the town.
When We met the smbalances, they were
about halfway through the timber Yet we
know that the brush from there to the prairie
was full OF sscesh; but still we pushed on. We
met the battery shout One-half mile west of the
peach Oschard, TetFeating IN order, supported by
the remainder of the Wisconsin 9th. After we
passed we soon received salute from the enemy,
which compliment was very suitably returned.
But here, when we reached the orchard, wit
messed scene that would shock the feelings,
and shOnld call down the indignation Of all hu,
name and rational beings | saw something
under tree; what was itl Why, it simply was
a man as pale ss death could make him, i1st
passed out of the world, and as naked as be was
when he came into it, with the exception Of
shirt. And what should / behold when looked
mp into the Orchsrd2 l saw men in the very act
OF taking the clothes frem OF the dead; but We
soon routed them with a yOlley from our Sharps
rifles saw several stripped naked, and others
with their pockets turned, where there was not
time to take all. We pressed them closely,
brought several down, aad soon gained the
prairie, Here we saw right in front OF Us, in the
prairie, two regiments Of Texan rangers, which
we soon routed with cur two hOWitzsrs. Imust
confess chat they retreatsd in good order until
one OF our shells exploded Immediately over
| their heads, which sent them of in haste.
They retTeaied into town, and Immediately
through town, expecting to draw Us on, fer as
soon as We got in range they opened thelf
masked batteries on Us, but with little effect, as
we fell bsck, With the loss Of only one horse
which was shot from under Lieutenant Phillips
by shell, which passed directly over the night
I of our column We fell back for reinforce
ments In the morning, thinking that the post
of danger was the pest ofhonoT, ] took my place
in the advance company, and the position proved
to be a very good enc for observation, as We
were on the right, and also On high elevation
overlooking the whole surrounding country.
While here we were reinforced By eight hun,
dred Of our Indians (Chsrokees) and StackeTs
three guns. This was about eleven o'clock,
when we made charge on the enemy and drove
them back into town we opened on their works
with our artillery, but with littls effect. They