Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-18

the following;
Taylor's and Warehouses; batteries, sup
ported by the 23d III nois 77th and SD Ohio
regiments, were the first in the fight Both
the Ohio regiments ran, the 77th without fir
ing gun, leaving Waterhouse without any
support. He fought half an hour, however,
retiring with three Of his guns. He was
wounded in the thigh by mimic ball. but not
fatally. His battorySss badly cut up.
Taylor's battery continued to fight, sup
ported splcndidly by the Illinois regiment,
until he and his support were out-Aanked on
both sides. lie then retired through cross
fire, having but one man killed and seventeen
wounded.
Meantime Wsterhouse with his guns took
up a second position. supported by the ID
brigade Of Netherlands division, composed
of the llth, goth, 45th, and 4Sth Illinois,
Col Marsh commanding.
During the forenoon they were compelled
TO retire through their own encampment with
heavy loss into some woods where they FORM
ed a second line Of battle. An advance was
then ordered by Gen. McCornand. A humid
red rods advance brought them in sight Of the
rebels. Here commenced one Of the mot
hercely contested engagements Of the day. re-
sulung in the repulse of the enemy, who were
driven back through our encampments. At
this point the enemy met reinforcements, and
our ammunition being out, Col. Marsh gave
the command to give place to another brigade.
They were, how yer, compelled TO retreat
within half mile of the river. At this mo-
mcnt the gunboats opened fire, throwing shells
over the heads qf-err.m and covered the
ground m evt.y '0irtt fet.afith rebel slain
On Monday Michigan battery captured
a. 4 l..
consin. The fight after taking this battery
was conducted in person by Cen Bcauregard.
Ia his efforts to recover it he was wounded in
the arm. lie was successful in taking IL, but
it was again taken from him. 1t was captured
and recaptured not less than six times.
I Company A. Chi ago Light Artillery, who
were 50 severely handled On the first day
were only able to man three guns on Monday
but with these, after a desperate contest,
they succeeded completely in siencing and
capturing a rebel battery of six guns. They
were, however compelled to abandon it from
lack Of horses TO draw it Off Their own
pieces were brought off by hand The gem
eral retreat of the enemy commenced at dark
on Monday, our cavalry following them until
the horses were tired out.
But for the almost impossible condition Of
the roads, the route would have been made
complete, and we could have carried their
entrenchcd camp at Corinth IL would be
} impossible, on account OF the condition Of the
roads TO do it now for some days.
The rebel artillery was superior to ours
Their small arms we're almost equal.
The rebel loss was $1,000 killed and
wounded. Ours was 10000. These will be
found moderate estimates The enemy have
taken more prisoners than we.
The Sth Iowa was captured en- masse
When the reporter left Wednesday morn
ing our advance, which had been pursuing
the rebels bad only occupied the ground for
merly held by the enemy, half way between
Pittsburgh and Cornth. The enemy are still
STAINING every nerve to get in reinforcements,
and bloody work must yet occur before we
drive them from their position.
The Times special says: The responsible
ty Of the surprise rests with the commanding
officer. On Friday a large force Of rebel
cavalry appeared within sight of our lines.
and remained there, but Gen. Sherman, who
occupied the advance, had been ordered not
TO bring on an engagement consequently he
sent over not corresponding force to meet
them. They remained in this position until
Sunday morning. They served a screen
OcuiHu Multu 0Cit. DeauFeBdfQ lOfineQ MS
troops into line Of battle undiscovered.
When the attack was first made. the SD.
57th, list and 18th Ohio regiments displayed
iu,xcusable ineffcency. The latter fed with
out firing gun. The others fired one or two
rounds, and then cowardy fed. These regi-
ments left the point undefended and the enc
my Immediately closed in and surrounded the
more advanced regiments 1t is also stated
that the 18th Wisconsin and the 10th Iowa
fled after firing two or three rounds.
One of the New Orleans regiments, Louis
lana Tigers, were almost entirely left on the
field, either killed or wounded. They were
nearly all wealthy men and dressed in the
Zouave uniform
Beauregard intended to make his attack
two days previously, but extraordinary rains
impeded his progress and delayed his arrival.
Had the attack been made at the time intend
ed, Gen. Buell. could not possibly have reach
ed in time to save us from defeat.