The New York herald., 1862-03-19

througn tnls valley IN direction nearly nortn.
When McCulloch rstreated from Missouri in September
last after his quarrel with Price, he ordered much Of this
timber to be feled the way to impede any pur
suit that might be made by the Union army. These
distractions the rebels themselves compelled to re-
when they subsequently advanced to encounter
Fremont. The valley Is looked upon by all military
engineers good position TO hold against enemy.
COMMENCING THE BATTLE OF THE 7rH.
Colonel carrs division advanced up this road to point
four miles from the State line. Colonel Dodges
brigade filed of upon road leading the from the
Elk Horn Hotel opened its battery upon the enemy,
who posted in wood declivty in 'front.' Thcy
promptly replied to, and brisk encounter Of artil
lery infantry speedily ensued Colonel Vandovers
brigade passed about half mile beyond the hotel and
took position the left Of the road In front OF them
the ground descended TO dry ravne and the opposite
bank, which was somewhat abrupt and covered with
low oaks, was held by the enemy. The Dubuque bat
ery opened upon the rebels and the scattering Of
Of the infantry OF tho latter showed that
tho guns were well aimed. The rebel bat
teries replied, and at the third fire q shell from
their guns blew up Of the Union timber
chests 1t about nine A. NJ when the Arst gun was
fred Within fifteen minutes afterwards the whole line
Of the division fairly engaged The explosion OF the
timber chest showed the rebes that their shots wore
we'll directed and they appeared in large numbers, and
poured in terrc fire. Ten minutes after the blowing
up Of the timber chest another belonging to the same
battery, was exploded in like manner badly burning
Frank Thompson Of the cannoners. This explosion
the signal for rush by the rebels upon the Union
battery they capturing Of the guns
before they driven back by the in.
fantry. The enemy foil back TO their covert cav.
ing the ground strewn with their dead and wounded,
who had fallen before the rifles Of the Iowa Ninth.
EXPERIENCE OF LOCKER ON.
At the time these your correspondent
and fellow journalist standing in the road in front
Of the Elk Horn HOTEL where good view Afforded
Shells which thrown too high for effect upon COL
vandevsrs brigade just the elevation for the Elk
Horn and rifed projecte passing within few
bursting twenty yards beyond rendered my
notes that moment somewhat difficult to decipher.
Two companies Of infantry drawn the house
awaiting moving orders. A shell burst in their ndst,
killing two men and wounding five Others Another
struck in the yard, in the rear Of the house, in
its explosion shattering the leg Of an old regular
soldier Quartermaster Carrs employ. Still another
fell among horse teams frightening one into rum
nng away, directly up the road and over into the
enemys lines where it lost In its fight several Of
soldiers over being seriously and three
or four slightly wounded The drivers Of twenty
wagons took fright and started for the camp at
full speed Had il not been for the determined course
Of Quartermaster Carr who pistol In hand, brought
them TO q halt . serious stampede would have been
the result solid shot struck the house and passed
completely through njuring one as the family had
taken shelter in the cellar. Long ago. at Wilson'S creskI
learned sufficient Of the sound and substance Of military
proectes everything like novelty from the
present scene, and accordingly sought locality Afford
ing nne view, but further removed from 'he perous
edge Of battle"
COLONEL CARR FAILING BACK.
One hours fighting in position on the slope accom-
pshed nothing Colonel Carrs DIVISION except to re-
the presence Of immense force Of the enemy
pairing TO charge upon the Union troops. AZ such
| movement, with the rebels overwhelming numbers,
would be likely to lose battery, Colonel Carr with
better point, about hundred yards to his rear
Here the fight kept up for some tme the rebels re-
peatedly attempting charge but often being driven
by the well directed voeys from the Iowa infantry
and the Missouri regiment Colonel Phelps and Leuten.
ant Colonel Gagan Of tho Fourth Iowa. and Major Coylo
and Adjutant Scott Of the Ninth Iowa. wounded by
| fire Of musketry, and carried TO the hospitals
at the camp Another charge made by the rebels in
which they captured second piece Of artillery and
casson timber The ground after each Of these charges
was hickly with their dead and dying, mingled,
often with the bodies Of the brave who opposed
them The charges Of the rebels mado with the
bayonet, but with double barrelled shotguns loaded
with ball and ten buckshot They discharged their pieces
they advanced retaining most Of their fire until with
in short range. Tho shotgun thus used is terrific
weapon the scattering Of the charge renders pretty
certain do execution without much regard accuracy
Of aim. 1t was again necessary TO fall back, and this
time stand made the hotel and along the road
| leading TO the east.
GLOOMY PROSPECT.
| The day had opened clear and still, and before
the battle commenced the purity Of the atmosphere
dcred every object tho hills and slopes distinctly
visible The smoke from the guns settled like cloud
upon the field and hour after the beginning OF the
gagement the position Of the enemys cannon often
only be ascertaned by the dull red fash the
moment Of discharge AS the day advanced this cloud
grew and Dense and long before nghfal the
contending Of infantry unable TO discern
other except very short range Hour after hour
passed away, and still that division coping with
a rebel force nearly quadruple Its strength They
driven back inch by inch, until they only a
mile and a half from the camp OF the
enemy Messengers had been constantly going to head
quarters bearing appeals for assistance, but could
be sent them. Sige and Davis had returned from
the forces they had been pursuing and hero had becn
nothing left in camp for its protection. Two batteries
three regiments darkness the only
alternatives for safety" the remark Of Colonel
Carr after his division for the third time fell back
About four p. NJ. General Asboth returned from his
pursuit Of the rebels to the westward and Immediately
went with two infantry regiments and battery TO the
aid Of Colonel Carr The latter by that time had fallen
back to open field, little than a
mile from camp. Tie reinforcements thus received
enabled him hold his ground, and when night closed
upon the conflict, and ended the carnage, the little
division still in position that field. The lines Of
the contendng armies during the night not moro
than three hundred yards apart and each party
on It's and passed the long hours till dawn whou,
lighting nres The air still, and conversation was
low voices aud Whispers through fear that
ordinary tones would be overheard.
| THE CAMP AT NIGHT.
In the main camp Of the army everything hustle
and commoton. Coffee, bread and meat prepared
and sent out with blankets and ovorcoats for the com
those who had noby fought during the day
were intending to the conflict at dawn. Gen sige
and Col. Davis had returned, and making all pre-