, 1862-05-17

i, i, Rebel infantry. E, Federal cava.sy.
Q ,2,9. Rebel battcr.cs. F. Rally Of 22d ILL.,
1ne1t. a6:h, a7,h and S!u Ill.
j, R.iel Genera, shot and nth No. -
A, A. list and 42d Ill. az H. Dndge's Towa batts.,JJ
ehitu iehers. l. I, 51st and 47d cover
B, H1scox's ILL., battery. in, retreat.
c, C, 5let aud 42d US L, Gen Plummcr's first
D. s. ed Ii armish l. p1s'iIon L: L. 1ad. 18th and
Ing. 9Th Ill.
send you diagram OF the ground, with
the position Of The forccs engaged. About a
mile from this camp tic road passed through
l111,acred swamp, :eross which Col. Bisseli
had made csuscway and bridge. After pass
ing over this road, it crosse. a comparatively
open rising ground, hcyond which IVES tim
be1cd rarine- To the north and southeast a
heavy belt Of timber skirted this open
-round over which the Pennington
road run from the northeast 10 the southwest.
On tic east side Of the timbered raTinc before
spoken Of, both br'.ades, Gen. Palmer and
Col. Loomis, forned their first line Of battle
The 1atte ter had been compelled to withdraw to
position near to tue north timber. Gen.
Paln.cr's brigade advanced to the top of the
first lill. 1aking position 10 the west aud south
Of Col. loa1nis. The 43nd formed the left
wing, the 5ist and 27th the centre, while the
I'D was Oh the extreme leit, supporting Ills
cons hutt.ry- Beyond 1ht ravinc, In the wood
1t tie to1 Of the rising grounsl 4 large force
~ ..tel in}antry was visible, supporting the
BATH 1ies III advance. Far1nington lies at the
sx!1,1rc Southwest corner of the field. Just
t.: nrf the brow Of the hill, were planted sev-
er.:l III The entNys guns, a1l sl2-pounders but
one, "a twelre- pounder,) which, however was
no! l'ou4ht ii,o action Two companies Of
Tie list. and three Of the I'D Ill, were thrown
ont as skir1uisllers to the extreme right, or
northeast Of our line. The balance Of the two
regiments were deploycd in The woods to the
left; Fart Of the Ed WAS thrown IS stirmish
:. %1,s $1So - H.
cox's battery. This was the position first
taken l,y our troops, which they maintained
for ever half an hour, when those in front Of
the ed aud 1sth had to retire with
Col loomis. The cavalry then made charge
IN The rebels, checking their advance, which
the bow cf the hill from the south aud west,
jehulcting through {: heavy body of timber
ut 1lc top Of the hill Another body Of III
fsntry moved to the north, evidently with
view 10 outi1ank us, our skirmishers slowly
retiring through the timber towards the
skirusishers Of the 42d were ordered in, and
the 51st to return through the woods to the
swamp where the road enters it, with view
to cover the Withdrawal Of our forces from
the first rising ground. where the overThelm-
ing rebel force comrr1lcd us to retire, leaving
s,:a7,s:scks and blankets, where they had been
thrown in the opening OF tile engagement
These, therefore, became q prize to the rebels.
Our III ces WITHDREW in good order, and the
51st then retired on the rear, back to the
camp, where the whole division was formed
ip line of battle. The enemy cont tented them
selves with burning the bridge This was re-
paired yesterday.
Our forces numbered between 5000 and
1000 and The rebels ncarly GO, 900, the flower
Of their army. under Generals Price, Van Dorm
in praise Of the dr:ll and efficiency Of the rebel
| force, as also of the STRIVING of the batteries.
| It is evident that they supposed that 3 large
| roltjon Of Pope's force would he out Gen
| Palmer vas in command, and is warm in praise
Of lis soldiers! He sent for reinforcements.
| aud Ger. Paine, commanding the first divis
ion, came On, and directed the Withdrawal.
Ii il reportt that Gen. Halleck sent Pope or.
ders to withdraw this force, as he did not want
| aEentral engagement Oh TINT ground At the
same time Gen. Nelson's force was moved
from the centre, in order to support the left
had battle ensued. Our loss In killed i:
about thirty: wounded ard prisoners $50.
dceerte who came In next day reports thf
rcb.l loss IT about 200, among whom wa'
general officer, who was 1eadinga colum,
towards the position Of the 42d. He was sho
ai,h revolver while riding in ad
vancc Of his force, our men being il
the timber, two or three Of them eteppe,
out and fired, the rebel General exclai1nfne
! as he saw them, tsDon't fire, men, an
nten be isll be hegged fo5 ;: surgeon s. a n, 70 f.
| >>4101'E SAKE he WAS IlNul2 > uuG Will
horse, ard had been pointed ont curly in til
engagement BY deserter, who said, Xxi
that officer aud this jig is up" From this
is supposed to he ar important officer wh
has 1llien. His body was taken of By th
FCfels.
The rebel force returned to Farminsto1
and yesterday morning party went ont tc
their dead who were left on the field Som
q were recovered. This engagement, thoug
scvsrc. il Of eligEt importance in the gener:
| account. -
Gen. Mitchell is reported on onr axtrem
lift, within i've hours march of this army
Nc rent here 2,5oo prisoners, who arrive
ltre yesterday.