The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-07-10
DEOISIVE REPULSE OF THE
REBELS IN AN ATTACK ON
HELENA.

CAIRo, July Between 5000 and 1O,-
900 rebels, under Holmes, Price and Mar
maduke, made an attack on Helena, on
the morning of the 4th.
They advanced in three columns, but
roughness of ground was such as to pre-
vent the rebels from bringing up their ar
tillery, and they attempted to carry the
works by assault.
They made the centre charge in the d.
rection of Fort Curtiss, and took three
lines of rifle pits, but the flank attack was
not 80 successful, which subjected the
centre to an enfilading fire, which swept
them down in great numbers.
They were soon surrounded and cap
Tired. One whole brigade, or what was
left Of it. numbering $40 men, fell into our
hands. Seven hundred and forty of them
arrived here this morning. Among them
are Col. Lewis, of the 9TH Missouri, Col.
Johnson and COL Bell
Gen, Prentiss was aware of the cOntem-
plated attack, and was consequently pre-
pared for it. He had about 1000 men,
and was also assisted by the gunboat Tyler.
The prisoners say that the attack will be
renewed. The battle commenced at AM,
and continued until 1OP.M. The rebel loss
was not less than 1900 in killed, wounded
and prisoners. The Federal loss is not
over one hundred.
General Prentiss is confident that he
can repel any assault that may be made.
1t is thought that the rebel depredations
near Lake Providence were designed to
draw the gunboats to that point, to give
them better opportunity at Helena.
MADISON, July 8..-The following Just
received by the Governor;
HELENA, Ark. July 4, via MEMPHIS, July 5.
To Gov. SALoMoN
The enemy attacked us this morning at three
o'clock with heavy force, said to be eighteen
thousand, under command of Lieut.. Gen.
Holmes, Gen. Price and others. They were
driven back with heavy loss. We have taken
about 800 prisoners.
Firing has now ceased. We will probably
be attacked again.
TSigned Brig. Gen. SALOMON.
Commanding.
MEMPHIS, July 5.-Gen. Hurlbut has
furnished the following extracts of letters
from Gen. Prentiss:
HEADQUARTERS, DISTRICT Arkansas.
HELENA July 4. 10 80 A. NJ.
We have been hard pressed since daylight,
by the combined forces of Price, Holmes, Mar
madulle, Parsons and Others. Thus far we
have held our own and captured several hun
dred prisoners, which here send YOU on the
steamer Tycoon. The enemy is now evidently
preparing for renewed attack in force Send
another gunboat ifpossible.
The Tyler has done good service to-day.
LATER THREE p M
We have repulsed the enemy at every
point. Our soldiers are now collecting
their wounded. We have taken in all -, 90
prisoners. Their loss in killed and
wounded will reach five or six hundred.
The rebels are badly whipped no doubt,
but they will renew the attack at an early
moment and are now massing troops for
that purpose. MY force is inferior to the
rebels, but with the aid expected from you
and the gun boats, the rebels may be
severely beaten
The steamer Tycoon and Silver Moon
arrived with $50 prisoners captured yes
terday, which includes eighty commits
stoned officers. No details-fght renewed
Prominent officers report our loss in killed
and wounded not over sixty.
The rebels captured six of our guns
which were afterwards recaptured The
colored troops are reported to have fought
well.
Hurlbut sent re-inforcements promptly.