Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-07-14
Especial Dispatch to tae Chic ,go Tribune. j

Especial Dispatch to tae chic'go Tribunal
Cairo July, TO a. IN.
We have good news from Helena by the
steamer Silver Moon, this mo, ming. 1t
seems that at three O'clock on the morning
of the 4tb, the rebel General Price, with
command said to number over 5000 under
Marmaduke and Holmes, made furious
and premeditated. attack upon Helena where
Gen. Prentiss wasintrenched, with some s.
600 Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin troops.
The rebels came sweeping in, apparently
perfectly satisfied that they had but to open
upon US to ensure an easy victory, but they
reconed without their host.
Prentiss was ready for thcm. A fight
ensued which lasted some hours, the little
garrison maintaining its ground bravely and
successfully. Presently force of about
/ 900 rebels found entrance to our works,
and cut off from support, went IN to occupy
Helena. They were quickly closed upon
by determined force OF our Western boys
and nearly every man Of them captured
killed or wounded. Following up this sue
cess with rapidity, Price and his remaining
force were finally driven off with considera-
bic slaughter.
Gen Prentiss estimates our loss at about
100 killed and wounded. The rebel loss is
not known, but it is admitted by prisoners,
to be severe
The Silver Moon brought up 726 Con
federate prisoners, being those taken at
Helena on the 4th. Among them are siA-
ty line and field officers. More particulars
soon.
The following particulars have been
gathered from officers in command, and
reports of rebel officers now here on the
steamer Silver Moon, en- route for St. Lou
is.
As before related, the fight opened at
three o'clock in the morning on Saturday,
the 4th inst. by the rebels attacking us in
our center with great force undor McCIay
and Parsons; Pagan being on the right and
Marmaduke on the left; all under General
Holmes, General Price having only brig
ade.
The rebel center was partially successful in
carrying two redoubts and capturing their
guns, but in doing SO, being unsupported
| by Marmaduke an9 Pagan, they found
themselves suddenly in very bad situa-
ton, being covered by euilading fire from
remainder of the Union works, and suhjec-
le,. to brisk and most fatsl cross fire Of
musketry on all sides.
Parsons and McCray's men stood this
as long as possible, when seeing no way to
escape, their men being slain by scores,
they surrendered, and were at once sent to
the Federal rear under proper guards. The
same movement was attempted by Price
and Manladuke, but with better success, as
they did not penelraourte lines, hence they
escaped being gobbled up, but the heavy
fire of big guns, and steady volleys Of
musketsy CONTINUALLY poured upon them
was more than they could stand, and they
beat a retreat, carrying off the field the
most of their dead and wounded.
General Prentiss was everywhere pres
ent, with sword IN hand, urging ON and
encouraging his men. He was brayely
sustained by his subordinate officers and
men, as the rebel loss in killed, wounded
aud prisoners, over 1000, sufficiently testi.
fly.
Our loss in killed and wounded is about
one hundred. The rebel officers pretend
10 say that they captured and carried Oft
one entire regiment, but if SO, it lad not
been officially reported when the steamer
left Helena with her prisoners.
The rebels must have numbered over
ten thousand. Gen Prentiss could not
have had on hand, at the time, more than
half that number, though be had more
near BY, in case Of an emergency. The
rebel forces were rom Little Rock, jack
sonport, on White River, and other points
in Arkansas, and formerly mostly from
Missouri.
We have taken in all 200 prisoners,
aud their loss IN killed and wounGed will
reach 500 or 600; but although the rebels
are badly whipped, there is no doubt
whatever, they will renew the attack at
an early moment, and that they are now
massing their troops for that purpose. My
force is inferior to the rebels. With the
all / expect, from you and the gunboats,
the rebel army may be severely beaten.
The Tyler has been valuable auxiliary.
! Especial Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune
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