Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-06-13

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT PEORIA
AN EXPEDITION TO THE INTE-
RIOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD,
GAMp MEAD pnpr RrpnpI L. limo q A AZ

10 Hon. f.. NJ. Stanton, Seer etdry Of VAR
No. 40: The army left Harrisonburg at
o'clock this morning, and at 81 my advance
engaged the rebels about seven miles from
that place, near Union Church. The enemy
was very advantageousy posted in the tim
Der, having chosen his position, forming a
smaller circle than our own, and with his
troops formed in a body. 1t consisted, un-
doubtedly, of Jackson's whole force.
The battle began with heavy firing, at i
o'clock, and lasted with great obstinacy and
violence until o'clock in the afternoon
Some skirmishing and artillery firing contin-
ued from that time till dark. Our troops
fought occasionally under the murderous fire
of greatly superior numbers, the hottest of
the small arm fse being on the left wing,
which was held by Slahps brigade, consisting
of five regiments. The bayonet and canister
shot were used freely and with great effect by
our men.
The loss on both sides is very heavy. Ours
is heaviest among the officers. A full report
Of those who distinguished themselves will
be made without partlality.
desire to say that both officers and men
behaved with splendid gallantry, and that the
service of the artillery was especially admra-
BILE.
We are encamped on the field of battle,
which may be renewed at any moment.
G>ignedl J. e. Fremont,
Maj. Gen. Com'd'g.
Times special.]
BATTLE GROUND, s MILES FROM HAnR1soNBURG,
June Sth, uia WASHINGTON, 10th. !
Jackson made stand at this point and we
attacked him this morning. The country is
not favorable for open fighting, being billy
and woody. Gen. Stahl was on the left, sup.
ported by Gen. Bohn; Gen. Mroy in the
centre, supported ON the right by Gen.
Schenck; Gen. Steinway had command of
the reserve. Skirmishing commenced between
10 and IL o'clock and cannonading at about
u. The enemy had an excellent position,
and directed their fire well. But few men
were killed on our side as usually fall by can
non. Gen. Stahl made an advance nearly to
the river, driving the enemy back, but they
precipitated their main column on him, and
he was compelled to retire to avoid being
flanked. His forces came out in good order,
and our line was reformed in better position
Up to 3 o'clock the cannonading was brisk,
but after that it slackened, and now Cat 5
O'clock everything is quiet.
A prisoner says Gen. Ewall lies between
our right wing and the river, with 5000 men
When our advance fell back the enemy did
not pursue, preferring to maintain his posi-
ton and throw on us the burden of attack.
1t is thought that jackson, finding no.
bridge here, will attempt to cross at Mt.
Crawford, where he will find no bridge either.
Another account of the battle says Gen.
Stahl, on the left, was first engaged. Gems.
Milroy and Schcnck soon after found the enc
nv, and the battle almost Immediately be-
came general. Gen. Stahl, after Schrivens'
battery had shelled the rebel position, ad
vanced the 9th and 10th New York through
the woods into the open field, on the other
side of which the enemy's right was conceal
ed in the woods The Sth advanced calamity,
under heavy fire, but being so long unsup
ported by the 45th, and largely outnumbered,
were finally forced to retire. Col. Mitchell
was severely wounded and the whole regi-
ment badly cut up, iosi1g not less than 300;
more than half its strength. The enemys
pursuit was checked by artillery, and Gen.
Stahl finally withdrew his force to stronger
position, repulsing flank movement and
holding his wing firmly. Gen. Milroy adj
vanced his center rapidly. The artillery fire
compelled the enemy to give ground. Gen.
Schenck, on the right, drove back the rebels
who attempted to turn our position along
our whole line. The artillery, under Col.
Pilsonas was served with great vigor
and precision, and the final success is
largely due to its effect. The enemy suffered
severely. One rebel regiment lost two thirds
of its number in attempting to capture Weld
rich's battery, which cut them to pieces with
canister, at fifty PAGES.
The rebel batteries were repeatedly silenced
! and forced to abandon their Positions
, Col, Claseret with his weak brigade took and
held the center Of the enemy's position, and
, his encampmcnt is there tonight. Our
5 forces were out-numbered at all points, but
we have occupied the rebel lines and forced
them to retreat The loss is heavy on both
-, ana enemy suffering especially from
sides, L., '"ssa Garibaldi Guards lost
0 oesr,n . 200: the 25th OH. co. The , t0ts
loss is estimated at from 600 to 800 in NJ e'
! wounded and missing.
: Can't. Chas. Worth, 25th Ohio, and Sur.
eeon Coutwell, SD Ohio, are wounded OF
killed.
9 The rebels fought wholly under cover
+ while our troops were forced to advance
i through open field The advantage of thu
r enemy's positions and numbers was counter
balanced by Gen. Fremont's faithful hand
! ling of his troops, and the GOODNESS and de
termination with which he pressed his sue
cess. The fight was furious for hours
: and continued till nearly dark.
Tribune's Dispatch. -4.
It WARRINGTON, June 10,
.e We are informed by two persons, one re
n Gently from Charleston, the other from
,e CITY in the interior of a Southwestern State
u that the rebels are still entirely cheerful an
< confident of ultimate victory. The loss {
oe New Orleans they regard as but temporary
o. They cxneet to lose Charleston. Mobile. an