The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-25
TIE FIRST CHARGE OF THE REBELS.


No sooner had the rebels disposed of the
9th Michigan than they started for the camp
OF the Sd Minnesota. They rushed across
the crack and into the camp, firing it in several
places, and entirely destroying it. The camp
was in the woods, and the position of Col.
Lester hidden at the time from them. They
soon found bis position, however, and were
hastily formed and marched to the Nashville
road, and thence down it. The line was
formed to the right of the road, and between
it and the creek. The Georgia 4th had the
place of honor, and came up to the attack
first. They emerged from the woods on the
right of the road, to find Col. Lester posted
as | have described, and themselves in a
large open tract in bis front, and completely
uncovered. They fell back for moment to
the cover of the woods, until the lst Georgia
could come up and form on their right. The
Texans were marching down the turnpike
road, many of them now being mounted.
Thus being reinforced, the Georgiaus ad.
yanced at the command of" Charge J" and
started across the field in gallant style,
trampliDg the yellow wheat and rye beneath
their feet. The appearance Of the force is
described as having been grand at this time,
aud many of the Minnesotians yelled as
much in appreciation as in hate and excite.
mcnt But Leavitt's smooth bores were
silent, and Lester kept back the fire of his
men. On came the rebels, leaping the fences
and the grain with equal rapidity--on they
came until they were within forty yards-at
the very foot of the bill, when the battery
opened with canister and grape. The mo.
ment of painful suspense which always fol-
lows such discharge, passed slowly; the
smoke and fame cleared away from in 'front.'
and the rebels were seen broken and shat
tered flying to the woods for shelter. The
Minnesotians broke into a wild yell, which
was repeated as soon as the rebels disap>
peared in the woods.
THE SECOND CHARGE.
The rebels soon raj led. They had an
incentive. Their past success bad inspired
them. Their last repulse had driven them
to desperation. They came forward mere
rapidly; they leaped fences with greater
agility. But the grape came, and they went
down by hundreds, aud then the Minneso.
tians fred on them as they retreated, and
the second repulse was more terrible than
their first.
FLANK MovEMENTs.
The rebel commandant had had enough
of it. Improvising white flag, be sent
messenger to Col. Lester. The colonel met
him beyond his own lines, and held parley
with him. The rebel heightened it out as
long as possible, but be could not shade bis
purpose. The dismouuted Texans and the
KentuckiaDs were discernible making a
flank movement to the left of the rebel line
and beyond the road Col. Lester dis.
missed the flag of truce, and returning to
his position on the bill, prepared his men
by skillful disposition to resist the coming
attack from two quarters. The Texans
ard Kentuckians moved rapidly to their
position in the rear, unm0lested, but they
did not find Col. Lester unprepared. That
officer formed bis men into hollow square,
and the guns we're divided, two now point.
ing in each direction, and the whole force
Was ready to receive the attack.
THE THIRD CHARGE.
Captain Hewitt prepared for it, and was
ready to give them as warm q reception as
before. The enthusiasm and desperation
bad, however, been taken out of the rebels,
and they, came up slowly and more cautious
ly. Fences we're taken advantage of, and
the forces protected by all available weap.
OBS. But when they appeared where Hew.
it want d them, he again opened upon them
from both batteries, and the field was COW
cred with their wounded, and the air filed
with their yells. They we're even worse
disorganized than before and fell back in
still more indecent haste to the cover of the
ho off
their dead end wounded on the field, and
sought shelter in the town.
sHELLING TIE TOWN.
But Captain Hewitt did not intend to
give them any rest. Grape was changed
to she'll, and the pieces elevated. Shell fell
thick aod fast upon the little town, and it
Was soon rendered untenable. The rebel
citizens had brought this judgment upon
themselves and deserved that the town
should be destroyed, aud Of this there ap-
peared great probability The shells fred
the houses 10 many places, and at one time
the destruction OF the place was imminent.
AS, of course, no other communication
than by those engaged escaping has been
had With them, it is impossible to tell what
casualties may have resulted from this ehei-
ling. But it is known that it prevented the
reorganization OF the three Georgia regi
mentS for three or four hours, and that if
we bad bad sufficient force to have author
lied Colonel Lester to leave bis posi- ion, the /
rebels could have been routed and the Mich.
igan regiment recaptured. But Colonel
Lester did not dare to leave bis position, the
only defeDsible one in the vicinity.
THE REBELS RALLY AGAIN.
About one o'clock the fighting was re-
sumed by the Kentuckians and Texans 10
the rear. The Georgians afterwards form
ed in the woods ard brisk but not dams
gerous muskctry fight was kept up for two
hours. The MinnesoiaDs at the end of it