Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-08-22
From Cen. ButlerIs column.

and that as n question of justice the burden
should fall on those who brought this great ca
lamity on their fellow citizens namely; those
Individuals aud corporations who have aided thol
rebellion with their means, aud those who have
endeavored TO destroy the commercial prosper
ity Of the city. A subscription Of 81 100000
was made by corporate bodies, business firms
and persons whose names are given, to defend
the city aginst the Government Of the United
States, while the cotton brokers names also
given, issued manifesto in October, advising !
planter not to bring their produce TO the city. |
These parties are all assessed by Gen. Buffers |
order, for the purpose above named, to the
amount Of 3420OQ OF which over $9l2000, is
on subscribers to the $l,250,OO0 lonn.
An intercepted letter states that DIR. NJ. was
organizing a secret confedeateu army in New Or
leans, and has 1900 men enrolled.
New York. August l5.--The Heralds cor
respondent on board the gunboat Essex gives
graphic account OF the attempt to capture the
! ram Arkansas ON the 22d of July. The Essex
advanced to where the moored, under
a tremendous fire from all the batteries When
within few rods of the ram the latter's bowline
was let loose and she swung round with the tide
thus partially evading the blow from the Essex
which grazed her sides, causing the Essex, to
run ashore.
! For several minutes, the water batteries field
artillery, musketry and heavy land batteries
played ON the Essex. At the same time the
I bSseX delivered dL SIN NtlIuS ulStilfce
/ FIRE from her three nine inch guns into the ram,
going through her plating and killing sixteen,
and wounding thirty of the rebel crew The
remainder Of lhe crew fled to the shore, and if
the feet had properly supported the Essex as
agreed upon, the Arkansas would have been
captured. The Essex escaped with only three
shots that took effect killing of her men and
wounding three. The Union fleet remained pas
sive spectators Of the brave action. The Essex
is covered with indentations all over from the
shots of hundreds Of caunon, her smoke stack
riddled and her whell-house shot through.
| New York, Aug. l5-The steamers North
Star and Roanoke from New Orleans the 10th,
have rived,brnging particulars of the defeat Of
the rebels at Baton Rouge and destruction of the
Arkansas.
| letter from Baton Rouge says Minis Bat
terry thrice repulsed the foe with great slaugh-
ter. Breckenridge lost his right arm by a can
non ball. The fight took place on the edge of
the town, Gen. Williams being unwilling to ex-
pose the women and children. We captured a
large number OF prisoners, including Captain
Blunt, Breckinridge's aid Gen. Williams, who
was killed, behaved like hero
The enemy's loss must have been severe, as
our mon charged and recharged upon them. We
have taken three guns
Another account says the rebel troops were
estimated at from 5000 to 5000, under Generals
Lowell and Breckenridge. The combat was abb
/
large proportion Of officers The rebel loss, ac-
cordng TO prisoners statements was immense.
| Among their killed was General Lowell.
The ram Arkansas was just above Baton
Rouge, but dared not take part in the conflict
Saturday s accounts state that the Arkansas was
aground when the Essex and other gunboats
went to her and set her on fire. and she blew up.
| The transport steamer Louis Whiteman ran
into the gunboat Oneida so miles above N. o.,
on the night of the 9th. The transport sunk
She had the body of General Williams with an
escort of six of his body guard, also 40 of ours,
and three confederates wounded. The body
was recovered. Thirty EIGHT wounded soldiers
and three of the body guard were saved.
The official report of Col. Cahill, commenced
after the death of Gen. Williams, stated the reb-
ell force was about ten regiments After fight
of four hours of great severity, the enemy were
repulsed. Gen. Williams was killed by rifle
ball through his schest.
During the battle our forces were Obliged to
retreat about quarter of a mile from their
! iginal position, aud the enemy were able tenn
porarily to occupy the camps of the 2lst Ind-
ana, 7th Vermont and l4th Maine regiments
and to destroy much of the baggage and camp
equippage. They We're however driven out,
but our numbers being much lessened by sick
ness and the men on the field being much ex-
hausted by fatigue and heat it was deemed ex-
pedient not topursue. The enemy has retired
several miles aud is still retreating. am ex-
lpectng it is possible they may receive reinforce
ments and am disposing of my troops in the
strongest positions. Our force engaged was less
than 2.500, with l3 or Ia field pieces and some
cavalry.
The Ram Arkansas approached with the in
tention OF engaging our gun-boats, but ground
ed at distance of six miles, and to-day, (the
! 6th,) was engaged by the Essex and destroyed.
Brig. Gen. Clark and his aid (Lieut. Yerger,
delivered themselves to us as prisoners of war
have also 80 captured.
Breckinridge on the 9th asked permission,
in writing, to bury his dead. Col Cahill re-
piled, "Our men engaged in the work which
viii soon be accomplished"
A passenger from Baton Rouge states that our
loss is, killed 10, wounded 2l5.
Gen. Williams had three horses shot under
him He was killed whilst rallying the 2lst In
diana, who had just lost field piece. The gun
was retaken, but Gen. Williams fell.
The wounded are about as follows: 2lst In
diana, 81; 18th Maine, 20; 4th Wisconsin, 10;
9th Michigan, 25; 7th Vermont, Is; 30th Massa-
chusetts u; 18th Connecticut, 9.
| Among the prisoners is Gen. Allen of Miss,
mortally wounded.
Among the wounded is Lieutenant Colonel
| Keith 21st Indiana.
Gen. Butler issued general order announc-
ing in eloquent language the death of General
Williams. and also a congratulatory order to the
troops, on their successful engagement ain
diers in killed, wounded and taken prisoners,
and many Colonels and field officers. He has
more than 1000 killed and wounded You
have captured three pieces of artillery, six cais-
lsons, two stand ofcolors, and large number Of
lprisoners."
A letter from Baton Rouge states that the
) fight between Essex and Arkansas was n fair
stand up fight Capt. Porter lay 300 yards dis
tant, pouring solid nine-inch shot into the Ar
kansas till breach was made, when an incen
: diary shell was exploded in the breach, setting
her on fire. The rebel crew left and she sooH
exploded.
The funeral of General Williams took place at
New Orleans on the 6th, and was very impress
sive.
Probably the General Lowell, reported killed
is Col. Lowell, and not Major Gen. Mansfield
. Lowell, who is understood to be at Richmond.
letter from a surgeon reports that he saw AZ
dead rebels in corn field at Baton Rouge.
The rebels wounded state that General Rug.
giles was killed. A rebel stated their loss at 500
Minis Battery saved the day, when two.
thirds of its members were on the sick list The
Secessionists in Baton Rouge fired ON our dead
and wounded, as they were being brought in
consequently their houses were pulled down.
e breckenridge on the morning Of the fight
! made speech, promising his men to havea baue
! playing in the State House at 9 "A. NJ.
The New Orleans Delta, Of Saturday The
: 9th, says that up to Thursday night the
= Union troops had buried three hundred anC
: ifty-four rebel soldiers, yho bad fallen with
/ in our lines and the woods oufsida mr.,