The Goodhue volunteer. [volume] (Red Wing, Goodhue County, Minn.) 1861-1864, 1862-10-15

u G'g Is. gs Tor the VolpatsaE.
AHMY GdRREs1 OHDENEE.
t;o,,HrH, Miss, OF. 5th; 1854.
Ers this rsachss you tho telegraph Will.
no doubt, acqusint your readers Of tho des.
perate battle and brilliant victory just achiey-
ed BY the Federal forces At this place. I am
unable, q this time. to give anything ike
reliable statement, but from few lacts some
conclusions may b drawn, On the fifth
the 'rebsl forces, consisting Of tho crops a.
a'nnie Of Van Dorm, Price, Lowell, Villipieue
and the forces formerly under command Of
Breckinridgs attacked US on the north side 81
the town, first cutting the railroad and tele
graph communications to prevent the Fed,
erals from obtaining reinforcements from
] sckson and other points north. Their com a.:
bined strength has been variously stated BY
those taken prisoners setting it less
than 10000, and some placing it IS high as
$4,000: TO oppose this great army the
Federals had 5000 troops 1t is true We
had the advantage Of artillery, which they
did not possess, but it could hardly be said
that it would make up for the great discrep.
ancy in numbers. Being unable to use the
artillery to advantage among the thick and
heavy growth Of timber which surrounds
Coriath, our forces fell back at night to our
inner line Of defences after having maintained
the contest during the whole day against the
fearful odds with the most determined BRAY
cry. The night was occupied by both armies
in preparing for the closing conflict of the
morrow. The rebels knew that their future
in the West depended on the result. Of the
fight and the retaking Of the town With its
vast warehouses Of Federal stores. On the
other hand the Federals were aware that the
losing Of this key point would throw our
lines back again to the Ohio river, and per.
haps indefinitely prolong the war; conse-
quently, At daylight, on the fourth, both
sides renewed the battle with the most reck.
less determination-the lines were formed
in q semi circle of about three miles in
length-upon our extreme left were two
powerful batteries 81 heavy Parrot guns over
looking high elevation Of ground-the
right was equally fortified, both by nature
and art. Through the center is deep ra.
vine, up which runs the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad. Early in the morning the rebels
in three columns made simultaneous charges
upon the batteries on both wings-grape,
canister and musketry was poured into
their ranks in rapid succession, moving them
down BY scores and hundreds, yet the gaps
were Immediately filed, and they moved
forward, seemingly regardless of the death
messengers that were dealt to them upon
every hand. In rapid succession the same
terrible FIRE was poured in, thinning thei,
ranks al every discharge, yet on they came
without weaver in their columns-crossed
the trenches and planted the emblem o
treason upon the very parapets o! our batter
les. Here they were met by the long line
of glittering Federal bayonets, and rolled
back lifeless into the ditch beneath. Al
agree that such bold, daring and reckless
charges were never before recorded as were
witnessed on this occasion. But, although
greatly inferior in numbers, our troops me,
them with the same spirit Of determination
and showed themselves fully equal to the
|immergency. Failing in this attempt, the
rebels, by one Of their sudden movements
which have characterized all their campaign
ing withdrew from the left and mustered
their whole force upon the right-on, OF
they come, in massive columns, regardless
of the same destructive fire that had me
them on the previous occasion. This tine
they carried the battery, but at the creates
sacrifice OF life. 1t was not long to De held
however. The batteries upon the left bein,
relieved by the withdrawal Of the rebe
S'OVPo hOA0 SuSlu, "cIC "UeeIeU TOuOU AnC
opensd one Of those enfilading fires, the ter
rible effect o, which coult only be a ppreciat
led fully by military men, while the infantry
Temporarily pressed back in front, preserved
the most perfect order, and maintained III,
contest with the utmost vigor. Now, fo
the first time, the rebel column wavered a.,t
broke. Then commenced = stampede whicf
liz fully an Offset for the celebsated Bnl's Run
Thus ended ono Of the hardest fought battles
| Of the West st about r II. Of, the secooDt
1t is impossible to estimate the killed o.
wounded It the present time, though tn,
loss Of rebels were al least Eve to one 0,
the second days fight. The wounded sr,
oil cared Tor, the Fedefsls killed e ,nostI,
buried, ndlnoth;ng now remains 10 sxnib;
tho stern reality Of war q. We pass over tn
ground save tho mangled figures Of . But
ternuts." which may - Seen in heaps !
every turn. 1st5&s*a3@'$ 'l1si@1'' ss-s@
Among the rsbel officers killed j. 0ensrs
johnson, Of Arkansas, and several field Cd,
Ieers Of notoriety. i. .s 49,.
Ore other kct Il worthy Of Dote-niipe
tsnths Of their killed and wounded !. @ vel
Ia8 the prisoners vln ell into n,,,r hs,..2. ~