Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-06-18
IMPORTANT WAR NEWS.
FROM GENERAL FREMONT's ARMY
Another Battle near Harrisonburg.

GENERAL FREMoNT's HEADQUARTERS, Har-
rison6urg, June Z, 1862 In the skjrmish yes
terday, beyond the town, the rebel loss is as
certained to have been very heavy. Most of
our wounded have been brought in. Colonel
Kane, of the Bucktail, Regiment, is in the
emy's hands. The body of Captain Haines,
of the New Jersey cavalry, has been found.
Captains Shelmire and Clark, of the same
regiment, are prisoners and not wounded.
Col. Ashby, the famous rebel cavalry leader,
is killed. This is ascertained from people
living near, and from the prisoners taken.
Major Green of his regiment was shot by Cap
tain Broderick, of the New Jersey cavalry.
GEN. FREMoNT's Headquarters, miles
beyond Harlisonburg, Va, June 8.-Gen.
Fremont has overtaken the enemy, of whom
he has been in pursuit for week, and has
forced him to fight and driven him, with
heavy loss from his chosen position. He left
Harrisonburg this morning at O'Clock, and
advanced i'm pursuit of Jackson by the road
leading to Port Republic. On the left of the
turnpike to Stanton, seven miles beyond Har-
risonburg, the advanced guard discovered the
enemy posted in the woods, to the left and
| front, apparently in force. Artillery was sent
| to the front and commenced sheliing, without
| eliciting any reply. Jackson having at last
| been forced to make stand with his whole
army, had completely masked his position in
| the woods, and various skirniS Shers and caval-
| ry sent forward. The whole column
| came rapidly up, and line OF battle, extend
| ing nearly two miles, was promptly formed
under the direction of Col. Albert, chief of
the staff. Before it was completed, Gen. Stahl
with the Garibaldi Guards, became engaged
with the enemy on the extreme right, and
forced HIM to fall back.
AT half past II O'Clock general advance
was ordered, and the whole line moved for
ward. Gen. Schenck the right, and Gen.
Stahl, with all his brigade except the Garibal-
di Guards. the front. Gen. Blenker, Gen.
Bohlen, and Col. Steinweickher's brigades
composed the reserve. The line moved down
the slopes Of three hills into the valley, and
up the opposite ascents, which at the sum-
mits were covered with woods. In these
woods, and in the belts and in the heavy tim
Der beyond, the enemy were posted. Gen.
Stahl, on the left was first engaged. Gen. Mil
roy and Gen. Schenck found the enemy soon
after, and the battle almost Immediately be-
| came general. Gen. Stahl, after Scrivner' s
battery had shelled the rebel position, advanc-
ed the 8th and 45th New York regiments
through the woods into open field, the
other side of which the enemy's right wing
was concealed in the woods. The Sth advanc-
ed gallantly under heavy fire, but being so
long unsupported by the 18th, and largely
outnumbered, were finally forced to retire.
Col Wietshall was severely wounded, and
the whole reg giment badly cnt up, losing not
less than 800, more than half of its strength.
tilery. Gen. Stahl finally withdrew his bri-
gade to strong position, repulsing flank
movement and holding his wing firmly. Gen.
Milroy advanced his centre, the artillery fire
compelling the enemy to give ground. Gen.
Schenck, on the right, twice drove the rebels
who attempted to turn his position.
Along the whole line artillery under Col.
Pilson's direction, was served with great Wig
or and precision and our final success was
| largely due to its effect. The enemy suffered
most severely. One rebel regiment lost two
thirds of its number in an attempt to capture
Wildrich's Battery, which cut them to pieces
with canister at fifty PAGES. The rebel batter
les were repeatedly silenced and forced to "a
bandon their positions. Col. Cluzret. with
his weak brigade, took and held the centre of
the enemy's position, and has his encampment
there to- night.
Our forces were outnumbered at all points,
but have occupied the rebel line, and forced
them to retreat. The loss is heavy on both
sides the enemy suffering especially from ar
tillery. The Garibaldi Guards lost nearly
200. the 25th Ohio 60. The total loss is esti-
mated at from 600 to 800 killed, wounded and
missing, Col. Van elisa, of the DeKab regi-
ment; Capt. PAUL, of the 9Th N. Y. ; Capt.
Mesner, of the 18th N. Y; Capt. Bichute
of the 29th N. Y. Capt. Chas. w orth, of the
25th Ohio, and Surgeon Courtwell, of the 82d
Ohio are all wounded. Many other officers
r are wounded or killed.
, The rebels fought wholly under cover, while
our troops were forced to advance through
open fields. The enemy's advantages of po.
sition and numbers were counterbalaDced
by Gen. Fremont's skillful handling of his
troops and the GOODNESS and determination
with which he pressed his success. The fight
was furious for three hours, and continued til
nearly dark. Our army sleeps on the field o
battle.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY IN THE FIELD, CAMT
, NEAR PoRT REPUBLIC, June 8, p. Mo tn,
Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary Of Var: The
The army left Harrsonburg at six this morn
ing, and at half past eight my advance engag-
, ed the rebels about seven miles from that
place, Union Church. The enemy was very
advantageously posted in the timber, having
chosen his own position, forming a smaller
D circle than our own, and with his troops form
I ed in masses. 1t consisted, undoubtedly, o.
Jackson's entire force. Tne battle began with
heavy firing at IL O'Clock, and lasted witt
l great obStinacy and violence until in the af
ternoon. Some skirmishing continued from
that time until dark. Our troops fought oc
casionally under the murderous fire of greatly
. superior numbers, the hottest of the small arm
l fire being on the left wing, which. was held by
r Gen. Stahl's brigade; consisting OF five reg
, ments. Bayonet and canister shot were used
freely with great effect by our men. The los
on both sides is very great, and ours is very
heavy among the officers. A full report o.
those who distinguished themselves will bt
made with partaity. l desire to say tha
{ both officers and men behaved with splendid
gallantry, and that the service of the artillery
was admirable. We are encamped on The
field of battle, which may be renewed at any
l moment. j. G. FREMONT, Maj. Gen. Com.
+ Fight between Gen. Shields advance and Jack
! sons troops.
LURAY, Va, JUNE 10, ria Washington, JUNI
L dir,fr EnI, I'll