Newbern weekly progress., 1862-09-20
The Uuiouists Commanded dy Col. Dennis
and ibe Rebels by Gen. Armstrong.
Rebel Loss 17a Killed and Bctreea 800 and
400 Wounded; Union Loss 4 Killed,
50 Wouaded and Y Prisoners.
Correspondence ol the Chicago Times

o"'h'NN, AN'"'t pNf'' ", 'cN~'
Your readers have been informed by tel
cgraph OF recent raids Of immense forces OF
rebel guclriIlas along our whole line at DIFF
lerent points, Of their repulsc, and Il skir-
aish having occurred between large force
Of rebel cavalry and iho force under Colonel
Dennis, consisting OF the Twenlicth aud
Thirtielh Illinois infantry, battery Of ar
tillery and one company OF cavalry, in
which tie rebels were driven back; but this
does not tell the tale but leaves an impress
ion that it was but an ordinary affair. In
stead its ucinga skirmish, it was one Of
the tierccst and mos. brilliant little battles
yet recorded in this fearful struggle for con.
stitutional liberty.
This fight took place at place known as
Briiton'S LANE, near Sweency's school house,
twelve miles southwest frem Jackson, and
four miles south Of the village If denmark.
As soon as the nature and extent Of the
engagement was noised about availed my
self Of the first opportunity OF visiting the
battle ground by accompanying aptain
W. G. Carroll, Of Gen. Logan's staff, who
was sent ont with force Of cavalry and
alululanccs 10 gather IN and -laina in orr
TIE SITUATION AND BATTLE GROUND.
We were appriscd OF our close proximity
to the battle ground by the dreadful stencil
arising from the number of carcasses Of dead
horses that lay on the field, D'ittons Lane
runs north and south, and takes its name
from that of planter whose residence is
situated at its southern terminus. lhe I'M
mediate vicinity of the scene OF action is
known as Sweeney's School Iouse. The
country hereabouts is very broken in places,
and again diversified by smooth patches,
planted, as is now all the cultivated land
throughout the country, in corn, which of
course was designed tor the support Of the
rebel army. The immediate ground over
which the battle was fought was very bro
ken, which proved of immense advantage TO
our forces. Where the battle ragged iiercest,
to the left or east of the lane, is II large open
cornicld; Wilde to the right is a tolerably
steep slope, heavily timbered, rs is also all
that land which is not under cultivation,
and among an entcrprisng community there
might he more in that condition lhan there
is. About two hundred yards 10 the south
OF where the engagement first commenced.
this lane takes short turn to the east and
descends quite a slope for about fifty yards,
and then breaks off to the south, and runs
on about half a mile, where it intersects the
Clover creek road.
TIM APPROACH AND PRErARATIoS FOR ATTACK.
Col. Dennis command, Which consisted
Of the remains of the Thirlieth Illinois in-
hntry, commanded by Major Sl'edd, and
Twentieth Illinois infantry, commanded by
Captain Frisbie, portions of two companies
Of the Ohio cavalry, commanded by Captain
Foster, and two pieces of Schwartz's bat.
terry, six Founders James rifle, were sta
toned at Estanaula Ferry, twenty miles
from Jackson, on llatchie river, to guard
the ford or crossing. Expecting that they
would be attacked by large force Of the
enemy, en- Sunday morning last, Colonel
Lawrence ordered the force to fall back on
jackson. Col. Dennis immediately took up
q line Of march, and reached point four
miles east of Denmark by evening, where
his troops rested for short time. Here
orders were received TO- countcrmarch tc
Medon Station via Denmark aud Cover
creek road They at once resumed thei'
march and went as far as Denmark, and lay
on their arms on the western outskirts of the
town over night.
Next morning, at daylight, they again
resumed their march on the Clover creek
road in the following order of march -
Fosters cavalry, advance guard Twentieth
Illinois infantry in the rear After this
march was taken up, another order was re,
ceived to advance to Clover creek and en-.
deavor tointercept and cut off large force
of rebel cavalry which had been engaging
our troops at Medon Station, early that
morning, and. was then retreating toward
CloNet creek. Iy some Encouragement o
their guide the wrong road was taken
which led through the woods to Bri.on's
Lane. The train had become somewhat
scattered by this time, SO the advance halted
ia a hollow half y mile Eom the lane, until
the train came up,