The tri-weekly citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1863-1864, 1863-11-24

when ihff we're tGally ehefktl ~ ihe hfftfs
sl o. ouf fsinfofesmsnis
.....a4.a..~@~ aa
from me Richmond Dispatch.
The right near Kslly's Ford Saturday
The excited reports circulated in the
city Saturday. about The capture Of two
whole bfigades Of Confederales on the
Rappahnnnock by The Yankees, tara out
to have been greatly exaggerated.
These troops had been stationed on the
north side OF the Rappahaunock, doing
picket service, when. about ! o'clock on
Saturday morning. the drums beat oquar-
lers. and orders we're given that every
man must fall into ranks and be prepared
for on immediate attack. In very short
time our out post pckets and the enomy's
skirmshers were holly engaged, our own
pickets gradually yielding the ground to
superior numbers. The main body of
the enemy was not long in making his
appearance, emerging from the woods
and soon our small force was confronted
by superior numbers, estimated at be-
tween ten and fifteen thousand. Then
commenced terrific battle which cons
tinued without iutermission from two
o'clock in the afternoon until dark, at
which time, IL seems, we had been en-
tirely surrounded, and our troops already
fallen into the hands of the Yankees.
The situation becoming desperate, and
it appearing that the longer resistance
was continued on our side the less chance
there would be of escape, orders were Civ
en- for retreat, which was done under
very great disadvantages. The bridge
crossing the Rappahannock being com
manded by the enemy in such manner
as to render it madness to attempt to
cross by that means, the whole of our
retreating force took to the river, which
they forded.
The number which fell into the hands
Of the enemy is about 1900. We learn
that the 9th North Carolina regiment en-
tire fell into their hands, and that about
400 of Hays brigade also failed to es-
cape.
The fight is represented to have been
Of the most terrific character, and when
we take into consideration the great dis
arrangement in the two forces engaged it
is remarkable that any of our gallant men
escaped at all. For the space Of three
miles in an open field, we learn that the
ground seemed literally swarming with
Yankees, who, to adopt the expression Of
the wounded, seemed to rise up out of
the ground. In this fight their artillery
was used with great efficiency, and, unlike
what has hitherto been their practice. it
was used at much shorter range than usu-
al. Part of the time the conflict was
hand hand, and it was in this manner
that the most Of our men were pressed
upon by overwhelming numbers and
compelled to yield up to them. #
1t is regretted that our artillery were
not supplied with sharpnel shot, as it is
believed greater destruction could have
been done with them than solid shot which
was used. Never were guns more stub.
bornly defended or more efficiently ma
neuvred, and charge after charge was
repulsed before the enemy finally sue
ceeded in capturing them.
The list of killed and wounded on our
side will probably not exceed three oil
four hundred, very small proportion Of
whom being officers.
Among the Yankees it is believed
that several General officers were killed
as short time before the close of the
day, and when perhaps the enemy
thought they had captured all our troops
group of mounted officers, evidently
prominent leaders, rode right into par
ty Of our troops who were in ravine
when they Immediately rose up and fired
Mot one of them escaped, as they werI