Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-11-20
GEN. BURNSIDE ATTACKED At KNOXVILLE.
DESPERATE FIGHT
ANOTHER GREAT BATTLE AT HAND.

New YORK, Nov. ia Knoxville dis
cial, under date OF the 18th, to the Tribune.
states that the enemy began skrmiShing from
their position on Kingston road at 10 o'clock
this morning. Our advance alone, composed
wholly of mounted infantry and cavalry,
commanded the position of Gen. Sanders,
and every man fought like veterans. At
noon the enemy opened with artillery at short
range, tIeir battery protected by large
| house. Benjamin's battery was the only one
which replied, occupying the chief fortifica-
| ton, half mile in front and to the right of
the town. A desperate charge was made by
! the enemy about P. VI. Our men were pro.
| lected by rail barriCades on the crest of the
| hill. Gen Sanders was severely wounded
and borne from the field. We yielded the
position and fell back about a third of mile to
stronger one. We have lost about one hun
dred one-quarter of whom were killed The
enemy had completely invested the place,
but Gen. Burnside will def,nd it to the last
man, and it is believed successfully. The
troops are in the best spirits, ever impor-
tant point is fortified, and confidence prevails
that we shall whip the enemy out.
New YORK, Nov. ia special to the
Herald, dated Knoxville, 18th, says Gen.
Longstreet, after crossing the Tennessee on
Saturday morning, the 18th inst, was attacked
i'll the afternoon, by Gen. Burnside who drove
the advance guard back to within a mile of
the rivers edge by night fall. Longstreet
crossed the remainder of his troops during the
night, and on Sunday morning advanced in
| force. Gen. Burnside, finding it impossible
to cope with him with the small force at his
| disposal fell back to Lenoir the rear guard
skirmishng heavily with the enemy through
| the day.
Three desperate charges were made upon
our positions on Sunday night, but they were
! handsomely repulsed. On Monday morning
Gen. Burnside evacuated Lenoir, but owing
to the energy with which the rebel pursuit
was kept up, he determined to give them
decided check, and accordingly came into
line OF battle at Campbells Station, where
fight ensued, lasting from late in the fore
noon until dark. Our first position command
ing the road from both sides, the infantry de-
poyed in front of tins and were soon attacked
by the enemy, who made several gallant
charges, and finally sue ceeded by outfanking
our men, in driving them 10 tie cover OF the
batteries which now opened terrific and de-
Structive fire. The rebels retired before it,
gave way, and eventually they fell back to the
river.
1t was now three o'clock in the afternoon.
The rebels showing desire to renew the at
ttCh, anu having Drought llGee batteries 10
their assistance, Gen. Burnside fell back TO
more desirable position, and again gave
them battle. The contest continued closing
at nightial with our troops in possession of
their own ground. The object of the fight
having been attained, and as the detention of
the rebels had enabled our trains to get all in
advance, our troops fell back during the
night, and early Tuesday morning reached
Knoxville, where great battle is expected to
be fought tomorrow.
Yesterday the rebel advance guard attacked
our outpoSts upon the Loudon and Clinton
railroads, and heavy diminishing continued
all day. This morning the attack was re-
sumed, when the fog which set in during the
night had lifted. The rebels, finding it i'm
possible to drive our men with infantry
brought several guns into position and poured
in thanking ire. In the afternoon they
brought forward Il heavy force of
infantry, and once more, and after "A
brief skirmsh, charged our position. A ter
rife hand to hand conflict occurred, with both
sabres and revofvers being used on both sides.
Our men fought with the greatest gallantry,
but at last were compelled to fall back about
a third OF Il mile, to a strong line, which they
hold tonight. We have to regret the wound
ing of Gen. Sanders, and Capt. Skies OF the
cavalry corps, who commanded the outpost.
His condition is critical. Lieut.. Smith, of 10Th
Michigan was killed at Campbells Station.
Our loss in that fight was between POO aud
300. Our loss to-day will not exceed $50.
The cneniy's loss on Monday, owing 70 the Sc
we're fire Of our artillery, could not have been
less than 1000. Their loss to-day is estimated
at 400 or 800. Gen. Shackleford had brisk
fight on Sunday with the rebels on the other
side of the. Holstein, three miles from here
He kept them in check and at night they dis
appeared. Our men are in the best of spirits,
and perfectly confident OF success