Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-08-19
ATTACK OF YhE REBELS ON BATON
ROUGE.

The Enemy Driven Off-6rsat Slaushter-
Breckinrides said to have Lest an Arm
General Levell Reported killsd-Gsneral
williams, Commander Of Unisn Fsrces,
Killed.
NEW YORK, August 1s.-The steamers North
Star and Roanoke, from New Orleans on the 1Ith
defeat Of the rebels at Baton Rouge, and of the
destruction Of the rebel ram Arkansas
letter from Baton Rouge says Minis battery
twice rePulsed the foe, and did great slaughter
among them.
Brecklnridge i. reported 10 have los, his right
arm by cannon ball.
The battle took place on the edge Of the town,
Gen; Nv; williams being unwilling to expose the
large number OF prisoners, including Captain
Blunt, Breckinridge's aid.
Gen. williams, who was killed, behaved like
a hero, and Capt Minis men are entitled to I'm
perishabe glory.
The loss Of the enemy must have been severe,
as our men charged and recharged upon them.
We have taken three guns.
Anothe. account says the strength OF the rebel
troops Is variouslv estimated at from 5 900 to
Is 900, under Generals Lowell and Brecklnridge
The combat was obstinate. Our loss is $50 killed
and wounded, including large proportion OF
officers. The rebel loss, according ts the state-
mcnt Of the prisoners taken was immense. Among
the killed OF the rebels the naRe Of Gen. Lowell
10 reported.
The ram Arkansas was jus, above Baton Rouge,
but dared not take part In the combat.
Later accounts state that the Arkansas was
aground above Baton Rouge when the Federal
steamer Essex and other gunboats went to her ard
set her on fire and blew her up.
The transport steamer Lewis Whitman ran into
the gunboat Oneida, fifty miles absve New Or
leans, on the night Of the 9th, and the transport
sunk. She hal aboard the body of Gen. vii.
liams, with an escort Of six OF his body guard;
also forty.two Of our own and three rebsi SAund-
ed. The body Of Sen. Williams was recovered
and thlrty-eight wounded soldiers and three oi
the body guard were saved.
bn nfftoi oisl Of cal Cahs1
the post after the death Of Gen. Williams states
that the rebel force was about ten regiments, and
that after fgEt Of great severity, the enemy
were repulsed. Gen. Williams was killed by a
rife ball through his chest.
During the battle our forces were at one time
obliged to retire about a quarter Of mile from
their original position, and the enemy was thus
able temporarily to occupy the camp. Of the 2l,'
Indiana, the 7th Vermont and 1ith Maine regi-
ments, and to destroy much OF the baggage and
camp equipage They were, however, driven
out but our number being much lessened by
sickness, and the men In the field being much
exhausted by fatigue and heat, It was deemed
e1pedient not TO pursue the enemy, who has re-
tired several miles, and is still retiring.
| am expecting that It 10 possible they may re-
ceive reinforcements, and | am disposing nv
troops In the strongest positions.
Our force gagged numbered les than 2 500.
The enemy had at least ,0OO with IL or IA field
pieces and some cavalry.
The rebel ram Arkansas approached with the
Intention Of engaging our gunboah, but grounded
at a distance OF six miles Today 9Th inst she
was engaged by the Essex, and destroyed by that
steamer
Brig. General CLARK and his aid (Lleut Yerger)
delivered themselves up to prisoners Of war.
L have also 70wounded prisoners and about 30
captured.
Breckinridge, on the 9Th, asked permission, in
writing, to bury his dead. Colonel Cahil replied
that our men were engaged In the work, which
would soon be accomplished.
Passengers from Baton ouge state that our loss
was 20 killed and 215 wounded.
General Williams had three horses shot under
him, and was finally killed while rallying the
2lst Indiana regiment who had just lost field
piece: The gun was resaken, but Gen Williams
fell pierced by several bullets
General Butler issued a general order announ =
cling In eloquent language the death Of General
Williams- He also bsued a congratulatory or
der to the troops on their successful engagement
In which he says: "The enemy lost three Brig.
Colonies and field officers, and more than 600 In
killed and wounded. You have captured three
pieces OF artillery, six caissons, two stands OF
colors, and u large number Of prisoners
| letter from Baton Rouge states that the fight
between the gunboat Essex and the Arkansas
was fair stand up fight. The former lay 300
Yards distance, pouring solid nne-inch shot into
| the Arkansas till a breach was made, and she
was exploded. On Bleaching her and setting heI
on fire, the rebel crew left, and she was soon ex
ploded.
The funeral of Gen. Williams occurred at New
Orleans, on the Sth instant, and was very impres
sive. The body was brought on by the North
Star.
1t lis most likely that the Gen Lowell reported
killed is Col. Lowell, not the major general, who
ID understood to be at Richmond.