American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-11-21
VOL. XII.
THE FIGHT on THE LAFoURCHE.

The Franklin Banner of the lst has come
TO hand, aud below will be found a correct
and plain statement Of the Lafourche fight :
Last Saturday, seven transports, accom-
panied by four SUnbOats, landed at Donald
spnvIlle, Weitscl brigade Of Yankee soldier
supposed to Be $500 men, incinding two
batteries Of artillery. General Mout6n the
same day brought his forces up to Paincourt-
vile, above NapOleOuyilIe, where he made a
stand and prepared TO meet the enemy, who
were at the time six miles above him. He
afterwards fell back to Albermarle Here
the fight commenced on Monday morning ut
about o'clock. At this period the Confed-
crate forces occupied both sides Of the Bayou.
Simms' and Ealston'5 batteries, and the
skeleton Eighteenth and Crescent regiments,
comprising in all less than a thousand iacn,
occupying the north side of the Bayou, aud
most Of the infantry the South side
1t appears that the Yankees had provided
means to cross the Bayou at any point and
time they chose to do so, aud in this thew
had greatly the advantage of the Confcder-
ates. It is probable they had poutoon
bridges for this purpose. Taking advantage
Of this they suddenly threw nearly their
entire force on the north side Of the Bayou,
attacked the batteries and the Crescent and
the Eighteenth regiments. Though the
Confederates were greatly inferior to their
enemy in numbers, they held them al bay for
y
men come to their relief they would have
driven the Yankees to their gunboats Great
credit i due the gallant band who so nobly
and bravely stood their ground against an
overwhelming odds. Both the artillery and
musketry were handled with great judgment
aud with the utmost GOODNESS. But the
artillery, by some mistake in regard to sup
plies fell short Of ammunition, and our gal
liant band slowly and in good order fell back
to Thibodeuux.
In the meantime the bulk of our forces
were on the other side of the Bayou, beyond
the reach of the enemy, utterly unable to
afford relief to our force which was returning
on the north side. These retired in perfect
order TO Thibodcaux and Terrebonne Station.
An order was issued for Col. Wick to
eyacuate Bayou Des AllemandeS with his
finely disciplined battalion, and join the
other forces on the Lafourche in the engage
ment against the Yankee invaders. But by
some unfortunate MISUNDERSTANDING, the
train of cars failed TO bring this force back
in season for the fight, and on this account
the battle resulted uufavorably to the Con-
federates. Had Col. Wick been brought up
in season, or had orr entire force been
arrayed against the Yankees, the heartless
land pirates and negro thieves would have
been successfully demolished Ii was at first
reported that our men ran and showed great
cowardice. We are happy to be able to
contradict this report, and to state from the
best authority that such was not the case.
Our men on the south side of the Bayou were
anxious to fight, but had not opportunity
to meet the enemy Had they been prepared
to cross the Bayou a pleasure, the result
might have been different.
The number killed on our side is reported
to be only seventeen. The number OF
wounded we have not learned. Over a
hundred of our men were at once paroled.
Capt. Balston and one of his Lieutenant
were wounded and taken prisoners. The
loss of the enemy is not known. Capt.
Ralston lost one piece Of his artillery, by a
wheel breaking, by which he compelled
to spike and leave it. The enemy captured
nothing else.