Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-03-26
w a r. N = w 8 !.


continued during the whole of Wednesday
by our gun and mortar boats, with mark led
success. All their guns except one IN the
upper battery on the Tennessee shore were
silenced, and one on the island dismounted.
The shells from the mortar boats fall with
precision in the Rebel camp and batteries,
and numbers of killed and wounded were
carried away. From the number of loaded
wagons leaving the Tennessee shore 1t was
believed the Rebels were preparing Tor an
other stf0tegctical retreat. Gen. Pope Is
also carrying on his operations successfully
at New Madrid 4 Rebe, gunboat Was al
lowed to approach within fifty yards OF a
concealed battery and then sunk, with
loss of fifteen Of her crew lie had pre-
viously allowed FIVE Rebel steamers to pass
on toward New Madrid, and now has them
between his batteries, unable to escape.
/ Over a dozen Rebel vessels and their toa-
ting battery are above Gen Popes batter
/ les, and will be destroyed or captured.
A despatch to the Chicago Tribune
brings our adyiccs from Island No. 10 up
/ to Thursday noon The bombardment was
still progressing The Rebels have eighty
guns in their different forts, and are suppo-
scd to have twenty thousand troops on the
mainland. Our shells reach all parts of
the Island The vgor of the bombardment
may be gathered from the fact that on
Monday twelve hundred shot and shell
were thrown into the Rebel works.
At last accounts the bonlbardment was
still continued.
Saturdays Skirmish at Winchester
Gen. Shields Injury.
On Saturday, the 22d inst, about l
o'clock, small parties of Ashby's Cavalry
I came within sight of the Federal pickets,
and series of dcsultory firing took place
between them. This continued for some
time without effect on either side, until
about 8 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when
the enemy made their appearance in large
numbers aud commenced driving in the
pickets. A messenger was then despatch
ed to Gen. Shields, but before reinforce
ments arrived the rebels were within mile
anG half Of the town, having advanced
as far as the Stone House Mill, on the
Strasburg Pike, and within full sight of
the town. From this point they fired into
some baggage wagons and tents stationed
on the outskirts of the town, but without
damage.
Not knowing the precise nature of the
attack, the whole Of Gen Shields Division
were called to arms, and held in readiness.
Three batteries of artillery were sent at
once to the scene of action, and sharp
skirmish ensued The rebels had four
pieces placed at different points on the
road and hills, supported by Ashby's
Cavalry and some companies of light in
fantry. Some eight or ten shots were fred
by them, mostly shells, the majority OF
which burst in the air over the Federal
troops Soon after our batteries opened
fire the rebel troops scattered like sheep
and were pursued until dark put an end
to the affair.
During the fight, Gen Shields, who com
manded in person, was struck by frag-
mcnt Of she'll on the upper part Of the
left arm, shattering the bone, producing a
compound fracture, and it is feared ampu-
tation would become necessary. The Gen.
remained on the field after being wounded,
giving his orders until the close of the
fight, when he was conveyed to the resi-
dence of Mr.. George Sewers, formerly con-
nected with the Farmers Bank of Win
chester. On Sunday morning the General
was in cheerful spirits, though suffering
some pain; up to that time it was not known
whether or not amputation would be me-
ceSsary.
Our loss consisted of one man killed, be-
longing to the First Michigan Cavalry
one wounded, and one or two horses killed
or wounded. Up to Sunday morning
twenty nine bodies OF the rebels had been
discovered in different parts of the scene
of action, and number of wounded were
carried off by them in their retreat.
The rebel force in the affair is estima-
ted at from twelve to fifteen thousand -
The rapidity of the firing of our artillery
gave rise to the belief in town that gem
eral action was taking place, and that Jack
son had returned in force
1t is generally credited here that infor-
nation had been carried to the rebels that
the Union forces had left the town, with
the exception of guard for police duty
1t was not generally known among the in
habitants that Gen. Shields division was
lying some three or four miles north of
the town Acting on information convey
ed to them, an easy recapture of the place
was anticipated. 1t was currently report
ed that two or three of Ashby's Cavalry
were in the town on Saturday morning, in
the disguise of farmers, peddling butter,
eggs, &C., and seeing movement of our
troops from that place, conveyed informa-
ton that led to the above skirmish.
Dispatches from Winchester confirm
the defeat of the Rebel army under General
jackson in the battle of Sunday The
Rebels have been driven back to Straus-
hrrn with heavy loss and mora than nna