The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-03-28

from Hoffman's Battery on the enemys
cavalry, just on the point of making a
charge. Colonel Greusel then threw for
ward Captains Miller and Parkhurst, of
companies B and e, Thirtyasixtb Illinois,
as skirmishers. to find the position of the
enemy in the brush. Miller's men advanced
in fine style, firing on the enemy's pickets
just as he discovered six regiments 10 line.
Here it is claimed that Ben. McCulloch was
killed by Peter Pelican, Frenchman, who
saw him fall off his horse.
THE BATTLE NEAR LEETowN.
This hotly contested engagement, fought
the same day at LeetOwn, two miles north
of our camp, resulting in the death of Nc
Culloch and Mcintosh, had an important
bearing on the general result. 1t served to
keep the enemy divided and prevented a
large reinforcement participating in the ac-
tion at Elk Horn Tavern. The battle was
opened in the morning by General Oster.
haus, of General Sigel's division, who was
sent by General Curtis to observe the enc
my in that vicinity.
About o'clock Col. Busy, with the
Third Iowa Cavalry, Col. Ellis, with the
First Missouri Cavalry, Lieut.. Col. Van
Deutch, with the Benton Hussars, and Col.
Albert's battery (three pieces), repaired to
the same point to recornoitre. Gen. Oster-
haus ordered Col. Bussey forward. The
battery went in front, supported by two
companies of the First Missouri Cavalry.
On passing through dense thicket, the
open field was reached, where the enemy
was discovered, about four hundred yards
distant, moving forward. Gen. Osterhaus
Immediately ordered the battery to open
fire on the enemy, he being in advance of
his whole command, which had not yet
reached the field. Five or six rounds of
grape were fired with telling effect od the
enemy, who were seen to fall. Gen. Oster-
haus then ordered Col. Busy to send for~
ward detachment of cavalry to charge
the enemy in the road. The cavalry charged
forward along narrow road, the cannon
still firing obliquely. They were gallantly
led forward by Lieutenant Colonel Trimble,
the men cheering. As they swept down
the narrow defle, about $50 rebel infantry
fred upon them from an ambush within
twenty feet of the road.
This deadly fire was succeeded by an at
tack of rebel cavalry, who charged on them
and also on the battery. Our cavalry
wheeled on the latter, and emptied num-
ber of saddles. But we were badly cut to
pieces, and the Benton Hussars were Or
dered to the support of the Third Iowa.
At this time the battery was captured by
the enemy, who rushed from the bush.
Meantime, the Third Iowa, not being rein.
forced, fought their way through the rebel
infantry, and were cut off from ali succor.
At this juncture, eleven o'clock, A. M :,
General Davis arrived, bringing the Third
Division along the Leetown road. Coming
into the field, which was surrounded by
woods on all sides, General Osterhaus being
on bis left, the General sent forth a line OF
skirmishers extending across the open fields,
to feel the enemy, who were not visible On
reaching the fence or the opposite side the
enemy opened Calling fire or our skir.
mishers from the brush and the latter re
tired, slowly firing. Captain Albert's First
Flying Artillery was ordered to open fire
on the ,enemy's position. AT the same time
the Second Brigade, Thirty seventh and
Fifty-ninth Illinois, under Colonel Julius
White, were ordered forward on the Lee
vile road, and when near the enemys posi-.
tion were deployed to the right to turn the
lett flank of the enemy, and the skirmishers
soon found the enemy's position, and the
engagement at once became general by a
most terrific fire being opened by McOul-
loch's forces. 20 # nIuaa t-s.s..sg
d The Second Brigade stood their ground
galiahtly in the lace of an overwhelming
force, for three-quarters OF an hour. when
they were compelled by FIVE or six times
their number to fall back, the enemy follow.
ing close on their rear, taking two pieces of
Davidson's Battery. The Second Brigade
again turned upon the enemy and engaged
his front, when General JEFF. O. Davis Or
dered the First Brigade of his Division to
take position on the right flank of the ene-
my, which they quickly did. McCulloch's
reinforcements under Mcintosh, pressed the
First Brigade composed of the Eighteenth
and TWenty.second Indiana, commanded by
Colonel Patterson) on all sides. The First
Brigade rushed 10 through the brush, un-
der Q heavy fire, turning the enemy's right
flank, and the Eighteenth Indiana retaking
Davidson's Battery-the. Second Brigade
at the same time charging the ensmy's
front. 3'a 198i @lN . se-a at. ;aa
Generals cCulloch and Mcintosh both
Tell in the charge, and their forces broke
and ran. .o.& ga6I ssYa.4 90 ....e..qt r,s.rf T!
Colonel j.. A.. Hendricks, of the Twenty
second Infantry, fell, shot through the
heart. gaa ~ 1isd ,s1oYs ysEf ss1s as !
! Night coming on. the enemy made good
their retreat y ae 81 sey5oa ~ alS -, j
~" NIGHT or GLOOM AND ACTIVITY.
Matters at nightfall began to look critical,
as the enemy had gained upon us, captured
some OF our stores, and their shells had
reached one, of our hospitals. Some began
to look gloomy. ALI our wagons during
the day were moving or ready to move in
any direction necessary.