New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-20
alive, but horribly burned and baOkcned by the
STRIPPING THE DEAD.


migration.
STRIPPING THE DEAD.
The Rebels, in nearly every iostsnce removed the
shoe. from the dead and Iuorially wounded both of
their own army and ours. OF all the corpses | SAW
do not think one-weotieh had been lef with their
shoes untouched. In come pantaoOns were
taken, and occasionally overcOat or blouse was
missing. \ large number Of the killed among the
Rebels were shol through the head, while TIC ma
ioity Of Our dead Were shot through the breast. Tue
Rebels wherever it was possible, fred from cover;
and a often - head appeared from behind tree
or bush. II became q marx Tor our men. The Union
troops generally stood in ianks, and except when |
skirnrishiug made Use Oi Obiecte o protection.
From ne C0YgesDcadeHce Of iAe CtneR"a" i'"".
TIE FiRSr DAYS FIGHTING.
AL have said. the Rebe-, before they lepan the
now memorable battle IN Benton County, Ann, on
Thursday morning March T. 1867, were entirely
coniioeut of success, ana Their cniel coacefn oiiy
now to destroy or capture our whol- force
Gen. Curtis anticipated an attack from the foltn,
and accord rClr mad the trains rlaced on the north
under the protection ot Gen. Sigel with body oi
$50 men; the priudl al Union eucampuent aho nHln
lines being 10 the eastward, near the head ana Oh
both sides of Sugar Creek. Meantime the Rebel
forces were moving in fun strength from Benton
Vile whence trey had proceeded from Cro's dol
lows, aud With raIio marches were ende&Vorih2 10
cross tie creek and, by placing themselves on TIE
north, 20 cut OF our retreat.
An advance OF about =, 600 cavalry reached the de-
sired position and ado fierce orsiausht on Si9ei,
hoping TO take possession OF cur large ana V4iuaoe
train.
( Sigel proved timseN the night man in TIE right
uls,e. lie calamity met the enemy, end, While he
repeisd their charge, prevented them from SEEING
upon our wagons.
/ The brave ard accomplished officer seemed
ubiquteus. lie rope rapidly here ard there, giving
old5rs end observing the point of attack, and the
otualiou Of the enemy, at the same time cheering
aud encouraging his troops.
Omen no was IN lie thickcst Of the fight, and yet
be was always cool, calculating, and ssliiuii eX-
/ posing himself as n common COLDER and yet pre-
serving he calm judgment and Fixed purpose Of a
eommandor-in-caiei.
Sigcrs desire was to keep the communication
oren between himself ard the main camp, and ihe
enemy design 10 cut oil this avenue for reinforce
msnts They closed around him with tumulinous
shonts and beloved they had accomplished Their
pur,oep when Sigel rushed upOn them with his
brave follower, and compelled them 10 give wsy.
Si-el could not IelnQui,h the traine, and 80 he
&. .Qht on, auG exlOIted hi8 mcn 10 renewed nope
and couiage by his example
For two hours the strife went on with great ardor
on both sise brit . seemed as II the CnioDsls would
-oon be COMPELLED 20 yield. There seemed no hope
Tor them. They mus. become exhausted ana doubt
less they must have done 90 hsd their destiny b, en-
IN less powerful aud experienced bands than Sgels
The waves Of opposition rolled around Sigeis
Courageous band MORE and again The rsi' OF ius
shout went ID 10 the ely, and swept Ike note oil
victory along tho rising bill. Many stout loyal
heart Doubtless sank when that cry was heard; but
Siqel had no thoughts Of failure. He was lighting
for bis adopted COUNTY, and the salvation Of lis little
band and ordering three companies OF his men 10
charge bayOnets, the Rebel cavalry were dopersedi
and ii c way was open once more.
Slil no re-epioTcemenis came, and our gallant sol
Ciers appeared cOnjeuding as q iOTlCrD hope.
About the trains the din Of sliie rose louder than
before, ard the rattle Of musketry and the boom OF
cannon awose tie surrounding echoes.
The enemy were losing ground. They rallied and
fell VITA redoubled force on our heroic baud. two
hundred Of whom had already proved their patriot
ism with the,F blood.
The comlst was hard to hand. Horsemeu were
dismountsd, and struggled with the infantry, while
tie officers were sometimes feen defending them
selves against the advancing bayoEeis Of the COM
mon 6cCleis.
a surerhunan effort on the part OF the enemy, and
& third time the Uuioniss were surrounded
Firmer and nrner were the Rebels closing round
the five or six hundred braves who were eyidenil.
going 10 che wall.
The sun of Hope seemed sinking. though that Of
Nature was shining clear from out The quiet Sky.
Sigel saw the smile Of Heaven only, and 6ould
not Gespond Ills eye flashed aud his form expanded
80 the ehOuts Of tie enemy above the din Of the
struggle. Only one WY wac LETT.
"toilow mt !" Numbered Sigsl, and biz proud
iteei tramred an approaching Rebel under LIZ
Asugliy feet.
y A deep strong, earnest cry from the Uriori.ts.
ana they me, the toe with the rush OF determination
and the energy Of despair.
The Secession line could not endure tbs shock. II
recuiieo was thrown into conius.0n, and retired
hon petition that WIS immovabie as IN Alpine
rock.
And Sgei was victoSour, with the sun stil beam
ilg clearly Gus u the quiet fky. TIE train WA
saved. The frs, day won. The prestige Of
success was estabisitd srd tho future looked blue
with hope os the vioieis Of toe early year.