Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-08-29

The correspondent Of the New o,lean
Ipet,a, who witnessed the battle at Bs;o,
Rouge, gives the following clear aud cou
else account Of its
The battle of Baton Rouge may b,
characterized as one of the most soldierike
skillfully planned fights of this war. Gen
Williams, with his well known ability as u
leader, scorned TO rally behind houses ana
fences, and taking in with one glance the
plan Of the enemy's attack, made all his
preparations to resist and oppose them.
Two highways run out of Baton Rouge
one above and one below, on each side Of
the town about mile and half a road
cuts these two roads at right angles, while
extending from road to road is large Gem.
etery, facing towards the city and looking
directly INTO the camps of the Indiana, Mas
sachusetts and Connecticut regiments. The
front of this cemetery is fenced with paling,
while the cemetery is thickly strewn with
large tombs and Overgrown with high, rank
weeds. This was the position of the rebel
centre. Our centre was composed OF the
Indiana 2lst, the Massachusetts aud Con-
necticut, drawn up on the opposite side OF
the roads, and not more than forty five rods
distant. The rebel right approached, through
corn fields and over rolf g country, at
tackled with great impetuosity the l4lh
Names camp and drove them out, burning
and pillagng the camp in few minutes
The 18th Maine rallied, and supported by
the Massachusetts and Minis battery, re-
turned to the attack and drove the enemy
back with great slaughter. The fcrcest
part of the conflict at this tide of the battle
occurred before and within house which
the rebels obstinately determind to get pos
session of. The most conspicuous Of the
rebels at this place was huge negro, armed
and equipped with knapsack, musket and
uniform; he led The rebels and met his
death at the hands of one of our men,
Pressed back by our left, and our ground
regained, the battle ragged in front with des-
perate ferceness. So silently did the reb-
els approach and so well were they conceal.
ed, that they were in the cemetery and
drawn up in battle al ray, without our know
ing it. With yell they rushed up to the
fence, dashed through it and across the road,
bearing everything before them. AT one
time the opposing forces were hand to hand,
and our handful of men were driven out OF
their camps and back into the town; but,
rallied on every hand by their officers, and
the cool daring of Gen. Williams, assisted
by the gunboats that began to fire she'll on
each flank with perfect accuracy and deadly
effect, our troops bravely rushed to the
front and down the entire rebel centre, back |
across the road into and beyond the Gene
terry, from which they were not able again
10 emerge. Four times they made desper-
ate efforts to come out from behind the |
ombs and cross the road, but each time |
hey were driven back, until finally they
we're in full panic retreat. Our own men
we're too much exhausted to pursue. On our
light, in the meantime, the rebels under
5en. Clarke made desperate effort to
iank us, and get in our rear. 1t was here
hat the admirable generalship of Williams
displayed itself. Anticipating this very
movement, he had placed Manning's bat
cry of six pieces, supported by the Wis
onsin and Vermont regiments, while the
Michigan regiment was strongly posted a,
he crossing Of the roads, and commanding
he entire approach of the enemy's left
dere the battle ragged fiercely, and after the
ebels flank movement was repulsed and |
iriyen back, not TO return--here it was
hat the gallant general fell at the head OF
he Indiana and Michigan regiments but
not before victory had lighted up that fine
manly face with its glow of triumph. am
that had Williams not fallen, he
would have destroyed the whole of the reb-
ell forces. BY 10 A. Nj. all firing had ceas-
ed, and the enemy had retired with haste,
and left over 800 of his dead on the field of
battle"