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

from HofTman's Battery on the enemy's
cavalry, just on the point of making a
charge. Colonel Greusel then threw for
ward Captains Miller and Parkhurst, OF
companies B and &, Thirtyssixth Illinois,
as skirmishers. to find the position of the
enemy in the brush. MilIer'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, vino
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 Me-
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 &C
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 9 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.
Alberts battery (three pieces), repaired to
the same point to recolnoitre. 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 on 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 CALAMITY
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 a num-
Der 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 eff from ali succor.
At this juncture, eleven o'clock, A. NJ,
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
ca his left, the General sent forth line OF
skirmishers extending across the open fields,
to teel the enemy, who were not visible On
reaching the fence Oh the opposite side the
enemy opened Calling FIRE OF cur Skin
mishers from the brush and the latter re
tired, slowly firing. Captain AIoert's First
Flying artillery was ordered to open FIRE
Gu the enemy's position. AT the same time
the Second Brigade, Thrty seventh AID
F!ity~ninth Illinois, und:r Colonel Julius
White, were ordered forward on tie Lee
vile road, and when near the enemy posi-.
ton wer1 deployed to the right to turn the
lett flank OF the enemy, and the skirmishers
soon found the enemg's position, and the
engagement at once became general by
most terrific fire being opened by McCul-
loch's forces.
The Second Brigade stood their ground
gaiiantly in the lace of al overwhelming
force, Tor three-quartels OF an hour, when
they were compelled by five or six times
their humber to fall! back, the enemy follow
ing close on their rear, taking two pieces of
Davldson's Battery. The Second Brigade
again turned upon the enemy and engaged
his front, when General JEFF. G. Davis or
dered the First Brigade of his Division to
take position on the right flank of the enc
my, which they quickly did. McCu!ioch'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
der heavy fire, turning the enemy's right
flank, and the Eighteenth Indiana retaking
Davldson's Battery-the Second Brigade
at the same time charging the enemy's
front.
Generals McCulloch and Mcintosh both
Tell In the charge, and their forces broke
and ran.
Colonel j. A. Hendricks, of the Twenty.
second Infantry, fell, shot through the
heart.
Night coming on, the enemy made good
their retreat
NIGHT OF 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. All our wagons during
the day were moving or ready to move in
any direction necessary.