The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-06-14
THE W AR.
FIGHT AT HARRlSONBURG.
FREMONT VICTORIOUS.

20 non. T.. M. stanton, Sec. OF w ar:
The army left Harrisonburgh at 6 o.
clock, a. M, and at half past 8 my ad
vance engaged the rebels about Z
miles from that place, near Union
Church. 2 k-'A
The enemy was very advantageo-s-
ly posted in the timber, having cho-
sen his own position, forming small
err circle than our own, and with his
troops formed en- masse. hHa
l; consisted, undoubtedly, of Jack
sons entire force. "a
The battle began with heavy firing
at ! O'Clock, p. m. Ena
Some skirmishing and artillery f.
ring continued until dark.
Our troops fought occasionally under
the murderous fire Of greatly superior
numbers.
The hottest Of the small arm firing
was on the left wing, which was held
by Staples brigade, consisting Of five
regiments.
The bayonet and canister shot were
used freely, and with great effect by
our men. ~, s.4 ~
The loss on both sides is very great.
Ours is very heavy among the officers.
A full report Of those who distin-
guished themselves will be made with
out partially. a @
desire to say that both officers and
men behaved with splendid bravery,
and that the service Of the artillery
was especially admirable. ..,
We encamped on the field of battle,
which may DO renewed at any mo-
ment. (Signed)
| j. G. FREMONT.
Maj. Gen. Commanding.
Battle Ground, 6 miles from Harri.
sonburg, June 8, via Washington,
June TO. 4f..t t.,.--.
Jackson made,a stand and we at
tackled him this morning. The coun.
try is not favorable for open fighting,
being billy and woody. p
Gen. Stahl was on the left support.
ed by Gen. Brown, Gen. Mifroy in
the center, supported on the right by
Gen. Schenck. Gen. Stinway had
command of the reserve.
Skirmishing commenced between
10 and IL o'clock, and cannonading
about IL. .... r.....-.D
The enemy had an excellent rosi.
ton, and directed their fire we'll bu,
as few of our men were killed as usu.
ally fall by cannon.
Gen. Stahl made an advance nearly
to the river, driving the enemy before
him, but they precipitated their main
column upon him, and he was com
PEELED to retire to avoid being fanked
His forces came ont in good order
and our line was reformed in better
position.
Up 10 8 o'clock the cannonadinc
was brisk, but after that it Stacked
and now, at 5 o'clock, all is quiet.
| A prisoner says Gen. Ewell lies be
tween our right wing and the river
with 5000 men.
/ Whenever our advance fell back
the enemy did not pursue, pre.ernine
to maintain his position, and throw or
us the burden of attack.
The enemy suffered severely. One
rebel regiment lost two thirds of its
number in attempting to capture
Wedrich's battery, which cut them tc
pieces with canister at SO PAGES. The
rebel batteries were repeatedly 81
fenced, and forced to abandon their
positions. Col. Cluse with his weak
brigade took and held the center OF
the enemies position. and his encamp
ment is there tonight Our forces
were ontnumbered at all points, but
have occupied the rebel lines and
! forced them to retreat. The loss is
heavy on both sides, the enemy suffer.
ing especially from our artillery. The
Garribaldi Guards lost nearly 200, the
25th Ohio so. ~
The total loss is estimated at from
600 to 500 in killed, wounded and
missing.
The rebels fought fully under cover
while our troops were forced to ad
vance through open fields.
The advantage Of thu enemies posi-.
tons and numbers was counte,bal
lanced by Gen. Fremont's faithful
handling of his troops, and the cool
ness and determination with which he
pressed his success.
The fight was furious for 8 hours
and continued till nearly dark.
| n~~>--A> Ts-1L n