The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-07-01


only rebes encountered were detached portions OF
cavalry and Infantry under command Of Kirby smith,
whose entire force did number than fourteen
thousand. After reached opeousas, which the
goth Of May nit, smith gave further annoyance
from his army, but rapidly retreated Texas where
he remained until our Investment OF Port Hudson Almost
Immediately after that event he commenced movement
IN our rear, which resulted in the recapture OF many
OF the places we had formerly occupied. But II was re
reserved until quite recently for the rebes to make any
elective oensve demonstrations on territory over which
they have not pretended to hold any control for nearly
two years past. Early last week msnced hear
OF them in the direction Of Paquemine whore they burned
two Transports and did sundry other damage hardly worth
recouptng at FIRST supposed that the disasters
were suffering from were al the hands OF guerillas
but II was soon determined tnat General Mouton had
succeeded in throwing portion OF his army up the Crosse
Tete to Indian Village, thence up Bayou flaquemiRc to
plaquemne whore he 0rst encountered Insignificant
rec OF our infantry. The rebels at Paquemine were
under command of Colonel Major who, after his opera
tions at that place at directed his force consisting
OF about 500 mounted infantry and cavalry to BAYOU
Goula, General Mou.on in the meantime remaining in the
vicinity Of Plaquemine and Indian Village. From bayou
Gonla the rebels proceeded to NapoeOnvile and ThibOu
drax without mesng with opposition At Thiboudeaux
on the Bayou Lnfourchc, had stationed portion OF
two companies numbering altogether above ninety men,
Before the enemy reached Thibodeaux their approach
had boon heralded TO the command that place. which
apprsed Ia time TO mako preparations for hasty
retreat to Iafourone crossing distance OF about four
miles The advance guard OF the rebels reached Thbo
deaux about halfp three O'Clock Saturday afternoon
the Goth inst Finding that the small force they expect
ed TO meet there had fed they started Ia pursuit. and
overlook about sixty OF our men between Thi-
surrounded and took prisoners. The balance Of SOL
dicrs about thirty in number, including portion or the
ourcne Crossing, which place they reachei less than
three hundred yards In advance Of the rebels The
betxce our hand m OF flying and at least six hun
dred well mounted rebel Cavarymen was exceedingly
victory, and IL was not until they saw our
G ss kSsas to SS & Sy ..e ps
At time they had nearly closed in upon men, but
good horses and determination 10 reach point where
successful stand could be made urged troops forward
and led them eventually to win the race The Provost
Marshal, Captain Silvey, who was with our rereating
books and papers. Immediately upon the news Of the
approach Of Z the rebels being received ct
Ihioodesux, Captain Glover, who was in com
81? osbe ssspg 1s gsis Il. o q sEy
preparations mndc for the evacuation Of Thbodeaux
-ebels reached Lfourche Crossing only before
he OF or rctreatng force, which escaped capture
was in command Of less ha" i've hundred ecyc
at Lafourche Crossing heard OF the approach OF tie
'ebes he At once formed line Of battle which he had
md his retrea:ing comrades dashed into his
'reaence. Luckily we had four pieces Of
tnrIy TWO pOuuu0r, anu tOTe6 Twelve
brass pieces Tho they discover
ID that VIC were prepared for them, suddenly halted
md appeared to hesitate what course 70 pursue few
discharges from cannon evidently suggested hasy
e'rea in few moments, for they galoped out OF sight
They soon returned. however, with the main body OF
men, but they made no elective demonstrations
until the next Sunday morning about eight o'clock
when they commenced srmishipg In squads at different
points with our pickets and advance guard In this man
ner they annoyed us until about six O'Clock In tho eycn
ing when in the midst OF one OF the most tremendous
hat Ui ad fnr
years. they made their first charge. 1t impossible TO
describe in fact difficult to imagine the fororn condition
storm, they stood up to dc!ord themselves against
%sn q E1s q ' s%
rom muskss, brought them TO dead halt scarcely
seventy i've yards from our position, when the rebols
broke and rctrcaed 70 the point whore they formed their
FIRST line Of battle Here they rallied, and again charged
upon with desperate determination and courage. This
time they succeeded in getting within less than sy yards
Of first piece Of artillery. Our fire was again too
hot for them, and they we're compelled once more
70 retreat in confusion stli again they rallied At their
like demons and evidsoy determined at all hazards
ride down. Thoy nearly successful, for In this
Of two pieces Of our artillery We succeeded
only after the most desperate fighting In requesting the
nop
circumstances The enemy were completely routed and
ded from dark masses Through tho driving storm.
which looked like c0pntorp,rs Of the black clouds hang
Tho rebel loss In this tight will not fall short
Of three hundred killed and wounded We have already
buried Atty three OF tner dead and have found quarters
for many OF their wounded which they dill not carry
from ihe field. We took several prisoners. from whom
have learned many Of the facts related !. this letter
point Our loss nine killed and sixteen
wounded. Our extraordinary sIccess IN repulsng such
10 whiskey eleven barrels OF which the rebels stole a
hibodeanx and drank before their attack upon u.s. Some
ON their horses in making charge In the lhrd as
~ III, when guns IN their possession,
solder at one OF the pieces informs me that drunken
crcening eprawed himself full length On the gun hic
ushng out, sThis piece Is mine; deliver IT, The sol
der replied. ut the same tme thrustng his sword into
tho rebel. take it,
Tie damage done by the rebels is not nconsdcrable
Terrcbonne place about thcc miles above this sta
ton they DESTROYED over a mile track and tho
telegraph wires The OF he invasion scems 10 b.
plumber and TO obtain supplies Tor Kirby smiths army,
which ia repOrted be the west side Of the Mis-
ssippi river, below Port Hudson. As Tar as sup
plies are concerned. the rebels have been emnently
successful They have robbed nearly every grocery and
provision store along their route, ai~ nave conhs
wagons and for transporiti H. Their dcpre-
datons have in some Instances been shameful Ihey have
forced many citizens into their ranks rs conscripis
IL reported that they have shot large number OF ne
groes found sequcstered plantations The rebel cavalry
men looking set Of men, and are mostly texans.
have been unable gain any further Information con
the OF the enemy he prisoners assert
thst Kr " smith has plan Of campaign which includes
raid into New orleans during General Banks absence at
Hudson In opinion II would De very unheatny
experiment for that illustrons individna 70 try
Reinforcements have been sent up tho Opeonsas KALI
road Tie track being repaired ut 1crrebone The Ninth
Connecticut Ia aIreldy Mt Chucihola Station, six miles
boye trains running regularly to In
fourche Crossing.
Additional CasuaItSes nc Port Hudson.
The following rs a Traditional list OF the killed and
wounded In the action OF The l4,h inst
sxyxsry FIFTH nav YORK VOLUNTEERS.
Killed.
Iieutera ant - Hn,chison
orporai - HilliArd, Co. A.
Private W. II. Francis, 90. A.
serge mt Monroe, co. G.
Private - Brown, 20. ID.
Corporal Silis Barber, Co. +.
Private Dobson, Co. y.
Sergeant - wooiworth, 20. v.
IN