Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-08-20
Battle of Baton Rouge.

An attack was made on Baton Rouge, by Gen Breckinrge's division, on the morning Of the oth The following dispatch from Gen. B. 10 Gen. pal Dorn is the only official information of the ahal we have:
 Ia MILES FROM BATON RoUGE,i
 August ,, 1862 Major General VAN DoRH: Receiving dispatch that the Arkansas WoulC cooperate. attacked Baton Rouge this morning at daglighe, with less than 3,000 men.
 After severe struggle of five hours, we drove the enemy from all points to the arsenal and the cover of their gunboats, taking number of priso- ners, several flags, and destroying [ nsiJerable quantity of public property.
 My diminished and exhausted force could no' take the arsenal and the troops were almost perish ! ing for water.
 1 We have withdrawn one mile and half, but l hope to resume the attack in half aa hour. { think our loss has been as heavy as that offhe enemy. Gen. Clark is mortalIy wounded; Col 1 Hunt 9th Kentucky, Col. Thompson, 3d Kentucky Col. Allen, 4.h Louisiana. and others severely. The effective force of the enemy, exclusive oi gun and mortar boats, reported to us as above 5000.
 [signed. JOHN c. BRECKENRIDGE, Major General. The Mississippian of the 9th, says; The battle of Baton Rouge began yesterday morning at o'clock, and continuing till 9, was,
 
 our victory was not complete, nor the results as far as heard from, equal to public expectation, yet there has never been more heroic display ot dar- ing courage. It is almost incredible to think that 5000 of wayw0Tn, jaded, and almost famished troops, drove 5,O00 fresh men from their intrench ments.
 By some unaccountable circumstance, the Ar kansas failed to cooperate with Gen. Breckn ridges division. which circumstance accounts for the temporary failure of the complete capture of Baton Rouge.
 In this bat~s OUT loss has been severe. Gen. Charles Clark, whom Mississippi was proud to own, was mortally wounded, and doubtless has breathed his last. Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi, have sacrificed some of their noblest heroes upon the altar of cur common country. We have no correct information of the loss on either side Our post surgeon has received q notice to prepare for 800 sick and wounded. The loss in killed and wounded will, probably, not fall short of 500. The enemy's losg is equally heavy. In Gen. Breckinridge's dispatch yesterday he stated that he hoped to renew the attack in half an hour. Not receiving anything further from him, or intel gence of a renewal of the engagement, cannot state what the precise status Of the con tending forces is.
 Battle Of Baton Rouge-The Enemy Driven to their Gunboats-The Federal Com mander Killed.
 Special to the Appeal.l
 TANGIPAHoA, August 7.-The battle at Baton Rouge commenced on Tuesday at half past four a. m, and ended at 10 o'clock, a. ID.
 It. was glorious day for the Confederate arms. The fight ragged with great fury. We drove the enemy to the shelter of their gunboats with great slaughter, destroying their tents and commisSarv stores.
 Gen, Williams, tue federal command CT, was killed.
 We lost heavily in field officers. but Generals Breckinrdg. and Runnels unhurt. Gen. Clark, of Mississippi, is, fear, mortally wounded He fell ct the post of duty. Our loes will not exceed two hundred and fifty. The Arkansas wss no! engaged in the fight. Our troops are in excellent spirits and eager for 2 renewal of the combat: $. B. TIE CoxscRIPrIoy LAw.-The Petersburg E1- press publi-hea the following explanation, by Gen Lee, of feature of the conscription law to which we have hitherto seen no allusion:
 HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT VA.,l
 July l9, 1862. SlR: Gen. Lee directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th of July, and to thank you for your congratulations on the success of cur army.
 With reference to the construction of the con scription law by its express terms it subjects all persons who may be over the age of & years It the time of any call for troops made by the President, to service and persons attaining that age, at become subiec tO military duty
 Although the aw cont.ans 10 express proyi-ion the discharge of persons in service upon their attaining the age of 35 years, Gen. Lee is of opin- ion that such persona will become eattiei to their | scuarge upon reaching that age, and their places will be supplied by others between 8 and 35 years.
 I am, sir, very respectfully,
 vour Obs3ept servant,
 CHARLES MARSHALL,
 Major and 4. D. C.
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