The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-08-28
Correspondence of the N. Y. Herald.
The Battle of Baton Rouge.-.Additional
Particulars of the Affair.


The Battle of Baton Rouge.-.AdditiOnal
Particulars of the Affair.
The steamships North Star and
Roanoke xrrfved at New York from
New Orleans, whence they both sailed
on the 10th inst. The news by these
arrivals is four days later, and is figh-
ly interesting. We have received full
particulars of the battle of Baton Rohge
from onr special correspondents, which
we publish below:
BATON RouGE, La, Aug. Z.
HOW 1T COMMENCED.
The engagement was brought on by
one of the companies of the twenty
first Indiana, which was on picket duty
about mile back of the camp, being
driven in by the rebels. As soon as
the firing was heard General Williams
sent the other companies of the twenty
first Indiana to the support of the pick
cts. On reaching the scene of action
they found that the enemy was in too
great force to contend with successful
.ly, upon which they fell back to the
front of their tents, followed by the
enemy. There they made stand and
engaged the entire brigade of General
Clarke, consisting of two Mississippi
regiments, and third regiment com
posed partially of men from Mississippi,
the rest being from Arkansas. The
fighting at that place was very severe.
The Indiana boys performed prodigies
of valor, and kept the enemy in check
for a considerable time. General Will
Iiams, finding, however, that they were
too far advanced to receive support
from the other regiments, ordered them
to fall back, which was done to the dis
lance of from two to three hundred
and fifty yards.
just about this time the right wing
of the Union army was engaged by Col.
Aliens brigade. This wing consisted
of the Sixth Michigan and Minis bat
terry. Simultaneous with this move
ment our left wing was attacked by
Ruygles' brigade. Attached to the
left wing was the Fourteenth Maine
Battery. The fighting at this point
was excessively severe, and the roar OF
battle was heard all along the line from
left to right. This lasted for about
twenty minutes, during which time
the rebels kept their troops masked
under the cover of the woods az
much as possible, while the Union sol
diers were exposed to their fire in the
open field. Considerable inconven-
fence was experienced by our troops,
too, i'm consequence of their facing tn
the east, which caused the morning sun
to shine in their faces, rendering their
operations exceedingly difficult. Still
our brave troops finched not, but man.
fully bore the shock of overwhelming
numbers, in the face of every difficulty.
The Thirteenth Massachusetts was
now ordered 10 advance and support
the Michigan troops; but while they
were getting into position it was found
that their aid " as not necessary, as the
Michigan boys had already repulsed
their opponents. The Ninth Connect
cut aud the Fourth Wisconsin, which,
were held in reserve, were ordered
about the same time to advance in sup
port of the other regiments; but as
they were going to the field the enemy
retired. AT one period of the fight the
enemy got into the camp of the twenty.
first Indiana and burned it, upon which
this regiment, from the cover of the
woods, poured a most terrific vOlley
into them, doing fearful execution, and
causing them to retire precipitately
They met similar fate from the TWEEN
tieth Maine, into whose camp they hae
forced an entrance. though they sue
ceeded in burning this camp too.
BRILLIANT EXPLOIT OF THE SIXTH
MICHIGAN.
While the fight was raging thre.
companies of the Sixth Michigan Vol
unteers were in peril of be ing cut of
by the Fourth and Thirteenth Lnuisi
ana regiments, commanded by Colone
Allen, acting as brigadier general
These two regiments suddenly emerged
from the woods and marched toward.
the three companies, with the view q
turning their right flank. They haf
succeeded in capturing two guns be
longing to Minis battery, and a wei
known rebel officer, named Hender
son, was seen TO wave a flag in triumph
over the guns. Some say it was bIacl
flag; but doubts have been expressed
in regard to the correctness of the state
ment. The two guns were brought t.
bear on the gallant Michigan boys; bu
they were too nimble for the rebels
Lying fiat on the ground the rebel balls
flew over them, upon which they start
ed to their feet and poured SO well iii
rected volley into the enemy's rank.
as to completely astonish him. Thi.
was handsomely seconded by the re
naming guns of Minis battery, which
making a drtour along the road, SO Sc
verely CALLING the Louisiana regiment'
by the we'll timed cross fire, that wheI
the two companies of the Michigan
Sixth came to the bayonet charge tn,
rebels were driven back to the cover o
the woods, leaving the two guns the,
had captured behind them. Minis
battery thus got their own again. The
rebel Colonel Allen was mortal,
wounded in the encounter, and Gen
Williams, the brave Union commander
was killed by a rifle bullet, which
: pierced his breast. Captain Gordon
, of Company F, Sixth Michigan, tool
the flag of one of the Louisiana regi
,nents. A black flag was also captured