The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-03-20


A number of rebel officers were captured,
among them Col Herbert, acting Brigadier
General; Col. Mitchell, a Major and several
Captains Those named were taken in by
Captain Smiths cavalry, attached to the
Thirty sixth Illinois, and some infantry.
The Twenty -secoad Indiana lost the
heaviest of the First Brigade. Col. Hend-
ricks killed. Lieut. Perry Watts, company /
K, killed by six-pounder in the breast |
the same ball killed two cousins by the |
name of Elfreys. Lieutenant McGrayel, |
company g, wounded. fatE#kR
Twenty-second Indiana: 9 killed and 40 |
wounded. zHF aA
The Thirty-seventh Illinois, of Col.
Whites Brigade lostI 9 wounded and 81
killed-.the heaviest loss of the army.
Fifty-ainth Illinois (late Ninth Missouri,
| lost IA killed and 81 wounded.
All the Field Officers of the second Brig
ade were wounded, excepting COL julius
| White-who was in the hottest Of the bat
tie. "a : .s.s-.s.s
| The cavalry met six regiments, one an
| Indiana regiment under Standwortz, three
| pieces of artillery and one of Wel6y's guns
spiked, afterWa ards recovered by company 3,
/ Thirty-sixth Illinois. - 's~s
/ Our cavalry. in the confusion OF the re-
| treat, run over Wedey's men, killing two
4
his gun before he left it.
The Thirty-sixth Illinois and Twelfth
l Missouri stood their ground, and saved the
stampede.
1 Osterhaus commands First division.
/ The Twenty-second Indiana lost the heav-
lest of the first brigade. Col Hendricks
was killed. Lieut.. Perry Watts, of 90. X,
i was killed by six pound ball in the breast.
| Lieut. McGrayel, Co @, wounded The
i Twenty-seeond lost killed and 40 wound
ed.
Julius Whites brigade, lost 2 killed and
4 lie wounded. All the field officers of this
brigade were wounded, except Col. White.
The Fifty-ninth Illinois Qate Ninth Mis-
souri) lost IA killed and 81 wounded.
The Thirty-sixth Illinois lost killed and
SO wounded.
A NIGHT OF GLOOM AND ACTIVITY.
Matters at nightfall began to look criti-
cal, as the enemy had gained on US, cap
tured some of our stores, and their shells
had reached one of our hospitals. Some
began to look gloomy. All our wagons
during the day were moving, or ready to
move, in any direction necessary. A rumOr
! was circulated ia the afternoon, and greedi-i
! ly believed, that Hunter was only six miles
! distant with reinforcements.. IL was said
by some that Halleek was coming on, and
that the Illinois Thirteenth was march
,, ing down from Springfield on double q1ick."
These rumors served to keep up the spirits
of the non-combatants. But il was evident
to all, that our only salvation depended on
gaining victory over the overwhelming
forces of the enemy. 90 a
General Curtis decided to commence the
battle at break of day. The greatest AMI
] nation prevailed in camp, and all were
II eager for the fray. Carr's entire division
bivouacked in the field, where their posi-
J ton was at sunset ef
THE GRAND RATTLE OF THE EIGHTH.
The enemy, during the night, advanced
and took position one mile nearer our camp,
occupying the extensive bluff to the left of
! Elkhorn Tavern, where they had batteries
planted, which commanded the open fields
and bottom lands on this side. The open
woods, mile this side of the town, was
also occupied by the enemy in formidable
numbers. They had batteries pointed in
all ayailable positions commanding the APP
pFoaches from this side. General Curtis
/. designed to open the ball at day-break, and
gave the necessary orders for a change of
I front, the left wing having to be moved
obliquely forward.
The cannonade opened twenty-five min
! the portion of the latter engaged fell back.
|. Gen. Davis advanced on the main road and
took position on the right wing, while Col,
Carr moved to the center, and desultory
FIRE was kept up for short time. Abont
o'clock Gen. SigePs division marched into
2 the open field aud took position on the left
| wing. His batteries were planted along
the elevations in this portion of the field,
with alternate regiments of infantry.
The line as now formed was concave,
2 with the wings advanced toward the enc
my while seven batteries were planted
along its whole length. No more beautiful
spectacle could be conceived than the 'smag-
: nifcently stern array presented by our
? line of battle. The utmost confidence was
at once restored, and our men felt treasured
: that victory was in their reach. The bluffs
. occupied by the enemy on their right were
covered with the secesh as thick as they
could stand while the intervening woods
in front of cur center was alive with them.
Our batteries were soon opened all along
: the line, and perfect wall of FIRE blazed
2 out in rolling volumes The enemy re-
! PEELED promptly with his batteries, with
little effect, except disabling one of SigePs
guns. The murderous cross fire of our bat
teries crushed through the timber with ter
, | rife effect The cannonade was terrible for
two hours and half, during which time the
; infantry advanced slowly under cover of
: our FIRE from the batteries. As soon as the
enemy broke, the infantry advanced with q
Z yell IN double quick, sendiHg volIeY upon
volley of well-aimed muskefry. The Twelfth
: Missouri rushed forward and charged on a
battery in heavy timber, capturing three
guns and flag belonging to the Dallas Ar
, tillery. The twenty second Indiana also
; captured gun and two caissons. At this
time Gen. Sigel pushed the enemy's right
sank, while Gen. Davis and Col Carr drove
: forward his left flank. The fight became
general, and the ravine near the EIkhorn
Tavern was thTonged with the flying enc
my. The bluffs on the left, forming a
, natural ratification, where the enemy
had several regiments of infantry and
battery posted, were stormed by Col, Greu-
sells brigade. The precipics here is seventy
/ five feet high. The Twelfth, Fifteenth, and
Seventh Missouri aud Thirty-sixth Illinois
scaled the hill and drove the enemy ont,
, | the brigade losing only eighteen killed and