The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-11-21
Battle Near New Orleans.

A brisk encounter took place at Labadier-
vile, La. on Tuesday, 2Sth of October last,
in which the Rebels were defeated with heavy
loss. The expedition consisted of the 9Th
New Hampshire, 18th and 18th Connecticut,
10Th New York and lst Louisiana regiments
and batteries; all under the command of
Gen Weitzel. The Rebels lost upwards of
200 killed, wounded and prisoners. The
Federal less was IS killed and Il wounded !;
a majority of them from the New Hampshire
Sth. From the New Orleans papers Of the
3ist ult, and the 1st inst, we make the fol-
lowing extracts in reference to the affair:
Early on Monday morning the forces
again took up the line Of march with the Sth
New Hampshire Regiment on the right bank
and had proceeded about five miles when
the Louisiana Cavalry, on the left bank Of
the bayou, discovered the enemy in some
force on the right bank. Thompson's bate
ry was sent forward and opened with shot
and shell, which was vigorously replied to by
the batteries below, posted on both sides of
the bayou-the battery on the right bank
being the nearest. Gen Weitzel soon made
his dispositions to attack the enemy, form
ing the attacking force by placing the Sth
New Hampshire on the right, and ordered
the 18th and 18th Connecticut to cross over
and form in line of battle. Some artillery
was also sent over. The crossing was effect
ed under vigorous fire from the rebel bat
terry, the shells bursting all around, and some
solid shot striking here and there.
But the two Connecticut regiments came
along without the least show OF tiinching, and
took their places, when the order was given
to the New Hampshire boys to charge the
battery. Three of these co npanies, A, E
and F, under command of Capts Barrett,
Warren and Flanders respectfully, had been
out as skirmishers and had ascertalned that
the battery had three pieces with an infantry
support. These companies after having fear
lessly secured the woods, under heavy fire,
were called to take their places in the regi-
ment, company f, having lost its brave Cap
tain Warren while diminishing; and all be-
ing ready, Col Fearing, ably seconded by 1t
Iull, called on his regiment to go in, and in
they went, the balls and shells of the enemy
flying around in every direction, dealing
death and frightful wounds to the ranks
Little heed they paid to that. On they went
through the underbrush, over fences and
bitches, until they got near enough to deliver
their fire, which was done with such effect
as to cause an Immediate stampede of the
battery. This same stampede could have
been prevented. but for the fact that the men
were SO fatigued with the charge that they
could not follow up. The 18th Connecticut,
which formed the left wing. came up in gal
liant style, and succeeded in thanking nearly
the whole of the left wing Of the el envy, who
were in the woods This cut off their re-
treat, and scared them as prisoners. The
manner of surrender is said to have been
somewhat ludicrous. About thirty or forty
of them threw themselves into a wide ditch,
and, falling upon their backs and knees, way
I'd their tattered white handkerchiefs in tok
en- Of submission. There were some l25
prisoners. rank and file, taken here, beside
81, eral officers.