Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-06-04

charge Of a Federal battery, as they
came into position.
For short time nothing but the
hoarse notes of the cannon, and the
whistle Of shot, and the scream of
shell, could be heard.
Soon the army on either side advan-
ced, and musketry added to the din.
Cannon Numbered on flank and rear,
bayonets CLEANED a moment amid the
smoke, and then silenced the beating
of many heart High and hoarse,
above the tumult could be heard the
shout of officers, encouraging their
men, and ever and anon strains of mu.
sic came cheerily along, giving hope
to the living and consolation to the
dying warriors. As the sun went
down, and darkness came on, the bat
tie ceased, and the tired troops lay
upon their arms;
"The weary to sleep, the wounded to die"
In spite of every exertion, by Off
GERS and men, the rebels, owing to
their numbers, possessed the advan-
tage. Yet when the morning came.
the rebels found our army still uncon.
quered before them, ready to test the
strength Of frivalry," once more.
Again, after hurried, scant break
fast did the Federals charge full upon
the rebel lines and the Indians would
rush out and tear the scalps from the
Federal wounded and dead, unrestrain-
ed, unadmonished by the worse than
savages who commanded them.
1t was nearly sunset when = body
of Indians led on by the son of their
chief, with fiendish shouts dashed fu-
riously forward upon what they term
ed the wagon guns" As they came
up terrible volley Of canister, in their
very bosoms, sent many to their
eternal hunting grounds" and the
survivors turned and fed, filing the
air with howls of rage and terror. g.
Night closed in upon the armies, and
once more the rebels bad tho advan-
tage. 1t was gloomy scene for the
little army that had 80 fcarlcssly pur.
sued the rebels. and fought 80 valiant
ly against large odds for two days.
That night the Federal Gen. Curtis
had heavy thoughts. He could not
much longer fight, and be could not
bear the idea of surrender. He con-
suited with his second in command,
the gallant Franz Sigel His eye
dimmed as he spoke of the straight to
which he was reduced ...... LIP
Said Sigel, Leave them to me,
Sheneral by Cott, fix 'em |"
The next morning the fight was re-
renewed with ten fold fury, for the
Federals fought with the desperation
of despair. .
Sigcl, prepared his last plan, and
staked his all upon one more throw OF
the dice. He ordered his batteries to
fire an occasional shot, and to take a
position, on a small hill that com
manded cleared field, upon the edge
of the woods. lie wanted the enemy
to charge his guns.
The rebel leader thinking, by the
gradual slackening of the fire, that
their ammunition was nearly given
out, and determined to strike decisive
blow at once by capturing the guns.
In three lines, and with fixed bayonets,
and banners waving, the men shout
ing, music sounding, the rebel lines
moved on to the charge. aa
Nearer, and nearer they came, and
their shouts grew more exciting, as
they felt the victory secure. Those
lines swept on, until within half pis,
tol shot then from the iron mouths
of the cannons issued a fame Of daz
zling whiteness /; a storm Of grape
and canister opened streets through
their ranks, and ere they could close
up again. that hail storm of death
came hurtling into their bosoms, and
they turned and sought the shelter OF
the woods, leaving two thirds OF their
number in that cleared field. Sigel
had induced them to charge his guns,
which were loaded with double char.
ges Of grape and canister shot.
Then from the Federal lines awoke
wild shouts, and high DER all was the
order to "Clear tho woods with the
bayonet |"
| There was a charge, a furious strug
! gle with knife and bayonet. and the
rebels turned and fed, leaving the
field, though dearly bought, in the
hands of the Federals. The Stars
and Stripes once more foated glori
ously, victoriously over the field, and
a new laurel had been added to the
| glorious wreath which already decked
the brow of Western troops.
The rebel Generals were defeated,
Mccullough was killed, Price was
wounded, and their Indian allies wo'
| fully disheartened. The rebel loss
i has never been fully ascertained
!. The Federal loss was 1900 killed and
} wounded. Gen. Curtis had force oI
$4,000 men engaged, among whom
were the 4th aud 9th Iowa with the
9th Iowa Battery.
:. Mr.. Hezekiah Peabody was a pris
o,ar I'non tho last day of the lirhi