Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-05-01
GEy. Crowns rzFEDI1Ioy.

As the main body n our troops reached Frank
lin the news OF Gen. Growers recent operations
was brought In camp at Brashear City when the
remainder Of the forces started from Berwick
City. The division had been ordered to remain
for the purpose Of constituting an expedition to
attack the enemy in the rear at the same time
the main body drove him from the earthworks
below. Early on Sunday morning, the 18th
inst, the whole division embarked Proceeding
up the bay, through Grand Lake Pass and Grand
Lake. by cross bayou, they reached Irish Bend
on the Teche bend like that Of an ox-vokc
about three miles west Of Franklin. The First
Louisiana regiment was the first to land. II had
hardly stepped ashore when attack was made
upon il by the rebels with two pieces Of artillery
and two hundred infantry. Some were killed on
both sides during the firing which Immediately
followed. The enemy were compelled to fall
back. Upon reaching the Teche the rebels at
tempted to prevent the approach Of our troops.
This attempt likewise failed before the sharp
firing Of our men, and the rebels were driven
still further back. Our men crossed the Teche
and bivouacked for the night. The next morning
at an early hour they started toward Franklin.
While marching along the levee road, upon
reaching point two miles from Franklin, or
whit is called Irish Bend, they again met the
enemy. There was cross road meeting the
main, and in this the rebel artillery was planted
commanding all the country about there As
the troops came up, TO their right was a thick
forest OF large trees, behind which the enemy
was concealed, having also wooden fence be
tween them snd their opposers. Preparations
were made at once for desperate attack As
one of their number, now prisoner, remarked,
eve know that We have got 10 fight hard ; he
taken prisoners The Twenty-ffth Connecti-
cut Regiment was the first TO engage the enemy.
II occupied the center Of the line Of battle hav-
ing the Twenty-sixth Maine Regiment on the
right and the Thirteenth Connecticut regiment
Oh the left, and supported by the Twelfth Maine
regiment. II was deployed as skirmishers on
the left Of the road and thus marched until
abreast Of the woods, and then, while under
sharp fire from the enemy, the line gradually
swung round until it faced the woods. letting
the enemy get to their rear. This accomplished,
an attempt was made to capture our artillery,
without success. although the regiment gradu-
ally fell back until It received support from the
Ninety-first New York The Twentv-ffh Con-
necticut regiment was ordered into action on the
left Of the line and in the advance.
They met the enemy awaiting their approach
in piece Of woods, where their artillery was
supported by strong force Of infantry and cav
airy.
When q charge was ordered to force the rebels
from their position and TO take their artillery,
4
and over two fences. Notwithstanding these OBJ
stacles, this regiment succeeded in capturing two
caissons, SIX horses, two swords and a splendid
tiag from the enemy. The flag was Of fine silk, /
six feet in length, b0rlered with rich silver tin
sci, and bore upon il the inscription; - The La
dies Of Franklin 10 the st. Mlry's Cannoneers.'
Soon after the charge Of the 18th the enemy fell
back defeated. The force opposed to US was not /
large, but had the advantage Of position and Of
making a surprise. The total force of the rebels.
both here and at the batteries below, did not ex-
ceel 1000 men. Our loss was considerable.
and that Of the enemy must have corresponded [
with ours. Sibley's brigade was included in
this number-two regiments Of Texas cavalry,
Capt. Sims battery, and the Valyerde and Peii-
can batteries. The whole force was under the
of Gen. Dick Taylor, son of the late
Zachary Taylor. At this moment the whole force
IS retrelting from our troops, demoralized and
hopeless Of their cause By the time our troops
mad arrived at New Iberia, nearly 500 horses,
mules and beef cattle had been collected, and
we're placed in kraals along the way side Their
numbers were 80 rapidly augmented by the con-
tant seizures from the plantations bordering the
Dad, that IT became necessary TO establish addi-
ioual places for their safe keepinr