Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-05-01
The Battle Of Beasland.


opening communicated with Admiral Farra-
gut and cutting % supplies for the rebels
via Port Hudson HI expedition has been
ominen.lr s1c-ess-al 80 FIR as reported. The
force consisted of Emory and Wcitzel's d.
visions, and left Berwick Bay, as before re-
ported, on the lo,h. The first encounter
with the enemy, except in small squads, was
on the llth, when - battery opened FIRE about
five miles from Berwick on the right wing
Ct which the Sth Vermont formed part
None Of our troops were hit, and the fire Of
our batteries compelled the robels to retreat
Immediately.
TIE advance Of our troops was resumed,
snl 20 rapidly that at many planters houses
the meals were found half eaten on the
tables. Vt SIX a. NJ. of the 18th the march
WI, resumed from Pattersonville, and by half
pas, ten the enemy were showing themselves
in considerable force. They showed no fight
however except as skirmIshers and IN retreat
ing burned all the buildings along the Teche
river. ALoCt three miles from Patterson
vile, strong arJh works were found, and the
rebel gunboat Diana was anchored in the
river, which opened Ere upon our advancing
forces. Several -hots struck near Gen.
Banks, who vas reconnoitring in person.
The rebels had fourteen or fifteen guns in
position on that SIDE Of the Teche, and how
many On the Oth, was not known. In the
afternoon our bot.crIcs opened, and there
was also a sharp musketry engagement be-
tween Gen. Wei,l.l's division and the rehels,
the latter leing driven hack to their en-
trenchmonts win loss Next morning the re
bel, made ano'r,1 sally, hut before their
guns opened tIc. our batteries commenced
and they ieti cd. Our battery, Capt. Mack's
Of tine 18th : Y, then attacked the Diana
and the reh,l ,tery on the other side Of the
river, and in aalf an hour the gunboat haul
ed out Of rare and did not again appear.
About 10 ,'.iick the artillery opened fire
along the lie line. and the cannonading
was inces-cr [ for several hours About three
P NJ the nemy slackened fire and an order
was given 10 advance on their works. Gen.
Paines bl gade went forward when the rebel
battericr oTened heavier than ever, and the
troole w,Ie halted and lay down out ofshot,
our guns replying to the rebels over their
heads The order to rise and charge was mo-
mcn;arily expected, hut Gen Banks decided
not to make the attack and the troops were
msrc' back out Of range for the night.
The till,ry fliol va- kept Up till six
o'clo Il
During the night the rebels fed from their
worss. which were occupied I.y cur troops,
~ lated in nh, aocruut from the New Or
Inns Era which We published yesterday
T;is fighting was IN tie left bank Of the .
T,cbe river ON The night, Colonel Cooling
commanding was hotly engaged all Monday,
and drove back the rebels at every point.
An carthvolk about pee Yards from the en- /
my's main line was taken by charge Of part .
of the l56th y. Y, with Sc rebels and 100 /
stand Of arms, and held amid thalp Skin .
mishing all night
The account Published below gives the /
movements after the battle-which is called
the battle Of Beasand, having been fought
on the Beaslanl rlantation-which move
ments placed Gen. Banks forces four
or FIVE miles beyond New Iberia, and advanc-
ing toward 0pelousas.
Gen. Growers advance into the rear of the
rebels by way Of Grand Lake, at the same
time with Gen Banks attack in front, no
doubt caused the precipitate retreat Of the
rebels Gen. Grover met with strong resist
ance, bat drove back the rebels at every
Point, defeating 5000 of them at Irish Bend,
eleven milcr from Beasland, with loss Of
thrce al foug hundred, $50 being taken pris-
oneIs.
The loerce Of our troops in these three
days Of fighting are not stated. Partial lists I
are given, embracing about so killed and 200 I
We notice in them the following {
from toe Sth Vermont {
EIIc5--A. Blanchard, Co. II.
Woun5el-John McCauly, Co F., shoulder;
H. c. Richardson, Co. D, head slightly; J. s.
DURHAM. Co h, leg; W. W. Perry, Co. H. head I
lightly, William Corley, Co. E, thigh; Z. W
Coles. L. shoulder.
w condense the following account of op- /
aratious in Gen. Banks department from the q
New Orleans Era of April 18th t
70 special movement was made in pursuit Of I
the enemy until early the next morning, when
General Emory ordered 8 portion Of his CON-
nand 10 FIRE into the breastWorks, to make sure
hat they were evacuated. But at this time Col c
kimball had entered the works on the right, and I
Immediately planted the National colors upon
he parlpet. An advance Of the whole column
now took place, Gen Netzel's division taking il
he van There were found in the rebel works 7
ne 32-pounder smooth bore cannon. and fine =
9-poupder riied brass howitzer. This latter b
,ie,,e, with its csisson, was being drawn over y
lrdge scross a ditch to the rear Of the works, :.
q hen solid shot from one Of our 30-p0under d
Parrots struck the bed Of the piece, and Il
brew it with the caisson into the ditch, h
, here it now lies. Large stores Of all kinds Of
ammunition and some Enfield rifles, and few o.
mall arms were found in the works. having nj
zen abandoned by the enemy. The remnants
f hasty meal were found scattered around Fl
Iesr the cannon The widest enthusiasm pre- Il
allied among our troops as they entered tins Il,
ebel stronghold. Loud cheers were given as the
dvancing column passed through the entrench- NJ
nents and beheld the fearful effects of the two
ave- struggle. The army marched on the first
ay to point Just above Psttersonyille, where
was learned that the prisoners taken from the n
,iana had been sent up to Franklin. At Pat 4;
ersonyille. and for a short distance beyond
here, the advance wss annoyed by the rear u
uard of the retresting enemy, consisting Of 100 ri
avalry and three pieces of artillery. Our van
as frequently fired upon, but did not retreat u
NJ of range until the second days march, when 10
one time finding themselves out of sight Of 81,
ne main body, the men in front fell back or