New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-23
Repulse Of Two Rebel Brigades.
Nearly 600 Of them Killed and
Wounded.
Gallant Defense by a Small Union
Force.
From Our Special Correspondent.

the town Of Munfordsyille, between the Union
brigade under Col. Wilder and Rebel force under
Gen. Duncan--the same that had command at
New.Orleans previous to its capture-was in the
main correct but inaccurate and incomplete in some
particulars. Some prominent Unionists OF Elizabeth
town dispatched messenger to the scene of the
action on Sunday evening for the purpose of obtain
ing authentic information as to its result. The
senger returned yesterday afternoon with clrcum-
stantal account, brought here and communicated TO
Us by Mr.. Thomas, member Of the Legislature
The principal lighting took place on tie sou h. not
the north bank of the river as first reported The
iItrenchments held by our troops were the same
that Gen. McCooks division commenced construct
ing last Winter, but left them unfinished upon the
evacua ion Of Bowling Green. Col. Wilder com.
mand took MP aud cont nued the work upon them
during the last week, but they were, nevertheless,
by no means complete at the time the Rebels made
their attack. They consisted of two ordinary re-
doubts-one on each sice Of the railroad connecting
with the bidge-covering some acres Of ground
each, with their parapets extending TO the river
bank aud their front strengthened both by palisades
and an extensive aba.iis formed by Telling broad
parallel strip of timber about two hundred yards TO
tho south Of the works. the southern bank being
considerably higher than the northern, the works
commanded the approaches to he bridge from ooth
directions. It's north end is within short rifle range,
which probably Induced the enemy TO make bis main
attack from the south.
The Rebels had approached Munfordsvle from
Lebanon, not by way OF Csmpbellsvle, bat via
HOdgesville and Bacon Creek. They burned the
bridge and tore up the track at this point and left
part of SCOTS cavalry 10 ambush any train with re-
endorsements that might come down the road.
Col. Wilder's force, al the time of the fret attack.
consisted of the Eth 69th and SD Indiana Regi-
ments Of infantry. and cavalry company, together
about 1890 strong Col Dunham's 56th Indiana
left Elzsbeibtown early on Sunday morning,
irving near Bacon Creek with daybresk. When
the train of the track Ill consequence of its de-
struction by the enemy, the Rebel cavalry immedi-
Gtely appeared and commenced firing upon our
troops; but Col. Durham, nevertheless succeeded
In getting his regiment cut Of the cars and forming
1t. He took up the march for Munfordsville with
out delay at double.quick. All the way the regi
ment skirmished with tho Rebel cavalry that kept
hoverng about Its TANKS and rear. AT Muntords-
vile they found the main body Of Col. Scott's
cavalry drawn up in line Of battle across the road 10
che bridge, but two vocvs from the 50th opened tie
way across. The junction was made little before
8 q m, and added about 500 men to Col Wilders
force
The Rebel column consisted, az already stated Of
two brigaaes, or eight regiments of infantry from
Georgis. Alabama Mississippi, and Louisiana, seven
pieces Of artillery, and Scotts cavalry-the whole
making between 4, 900 and 4,500
Col. Wilder had four pieces in embrasures In the
work on the right and three In the work on tie
left of the road.
The whole Infantry and artillery crossed Green
night, and marched TO tbs left Of works in the
direction of Rowlettes Station, near which they
formed for the attack. This advance came up viii
our psckets about IT,, when the latter fell bach
TO the Entertainments. AS soon daylight permit
ted the enemy proceeded to work in good earnest
from their position upon the identical spot rendered
memorable by the engagement last Winter between
Terry's Texan Rangers and Colonel laow General
Willichs 32d Indiala.
The Rebels FIRST advanced in force to the edge OF
the sbatis on the right Of the railroad There they
kept mp for some time most vigorous though de-.
suitory lire, which did not fail 10 elicit lively
response from the Entertainments. Having thus oc.
cupied themselves for nearly two tours, they sud
denly made rush through the abatis under the
protection Of the shells Of three of their guns thew
had succeeded IN advancing within close range of
our works. They worked their way through
the abstis with wild yels, but had hardly
emerged from 1t when two tremendous voll.ys,
hred ct distance of less than two hundred
yards made them stegger, and again seek refuge
with thinned ranks behind the fallen timber. Two
OF their guns were disabled about the same time by
our shells. The fire Tor time after this repulss
Was kept up only by small portion of the Rebels
The main body OF their infantry, aud what was left
OF their artillery was bow seen 10 toward the
LETT OF the road, evidently for the purpose If
trying o second attack on the left redoubt After
forming they passed around the sbats but in doing
90 had 70 run across some Of the fields, entirely ex.
posed 10 the ire Of our musketry and artillery
While they advanced, the dead and wounded sron,ed
BY the dozen out of their ranks But in suite Of hi
fearful oss, they kept on with remarkable determjn
alton and steadiDess. When within $50 wards of
The work, they suddenly charged bayonet, aud came
up TO II on run-a number even jumping the trench
and getting on the parapet. But fortunately the
courage OF our men was equal to this boldness
A reeimenta vol.ey, fired at less than "a vards
opened wide gaps in the bulk OF the assasnts made
them reel and finally break in wild disorder The
few that had got On the works were shot and bay.
oneted upon the paraDet and in the ditch.
while this desperate Assault WAS making on our
left feeble attempt, easy repelled was also made
upon the right Scott's cavalry had also appeared
al the same tine npon the north bank with a piece
OF artillery and unsuccessfally endeavored to shell
our troops. After few rounds however their piece
became disabled by its own recoils.
After TIE failure OF the second assault the Rebels
continued struggling musketry and artillery fire al
1ong range uotil about III O'Clock p. H.. when they
Wundrew altogether, leaving all their dead aud
"0anoen and the two disabled guns upon the field
"niie the khes~ were preparing for the attack
On our let, part g the garrison of tue right redoubt
mace . sortie and succeeded in capturing number
OF prisoners, among them Q wounded Major
Aiter the withdrawal Of the enemy our men ia
sued IRON the intrenchGents TO ASCERTAIN the extent
OF toeir Victory. They found between 500 snd can
dead ana wounded on the ied-the former 6etng 10
sM aug a. 1rse % one, proving both the reckless
pluck OF the Rebels and The accurate fIinf, NJ or
troops. Among the killed was Colonel Of q NJ.
essippi regiment and several other officers of infe
rior grades. The desperate courage of the enemy
was sriklngly illustrated by the discovery of he.
tween ~ and oO bodies within few yards of the
trenches. About dozen Of these were killed b.
bsyonet thrusts.
Our Losses are Insignificant considering the SO.
verify Of the fight: eight killed lone officer, Major
Abbott Of the 9th Indiana, and seven privates and
~ wounded.
The Rebels are known 10 be retreatnq in the di.
Section Of CaInpbellville. They will not make
second effort to possess the Green River Railroad
Bridge.
Yesterday forenoon Major-Gen Gilbert reviewed
tho division Of Gen. Craft just organized out Of raw
Ind Ohio and Ul,uo,a ra,,;m.nts