, 1863-04-04

ing Of trees. Further progress was imposs!-
ble. For mile and half to Rolling Fork
the creek Was full Of distractions. Heavy
batteries we're on its bank, supported By Il
large force. To advance was impossible; to
retreat seemed almost hopeless. The gum
boats lad their ports all closed, and prepara-
tions NIL made to resist boarders. The NOR
tar boats were Ill ready for fire and explosion.
Our lines we're SO close to each other that
rebel officers wandered int0 our lines in the
dark, and we're captured It WAS the second
hight without sleep abuard ship, and the in
rest, But the faithful force, with their ener-
gctic leader, kept successful watch and ward
over the boats and their valuable artillery.
At I o'clock that morning (the 22d), General
Sherman received dispatch from the Admi-
ra}, by the hands Of faithfuf contEibana,
the night} stating bis pc1ilous condition.
Leaving dispatch for Gen. staart, who was
br ncirg up Ewfng's brigade, aud orders to
Stuart to follow him with the remainder Of
the division, Gen. Sherman at once marched
with the I'd brigade, Lieut.. Col R'es com
inois Of tho lst brigade. Our gunbonts at
that time were in bend Of the creek, the
three regiments Of the LIST brigade had been
brought in and placed in position near the
boats, by Col. Giles 4. Smith. 4 rebel bat
tcry. OF fifteen guns Was in front, at Rolling
gunboat-the boats were so close up that
only one bow gun apiece Of four could
be used, and then at an iuconvenient
lnglc-in fct, in only one position-and the
broadsidcs IF several were useless on account
of the bank. Our immense superiority Of
metal was tins rendered almost useless for
the purpose Of engaging. an enemy that was
cAdcayorng to enclrcle the Admiral's boats.
If his rear WIS gained, their superior numbers
could board the first or tho last boat, aud,
having captured her, use her guns with fear
ful elect Oh the others.
About midday the enemy commenced mor-
ing upon US, with the purpose Of reaching
tie bark Of the creek below the guuboats and
below the inf;lntry. tien. Sherman was some
six miles dis ant. The rebels are believed to
have advanced with about 1000 men. l.
must b. bornc il mind that our troops
the bank Of the creek, of not great
width, back Of which the bottom land was
under wafer and lmpassable. The rebels
caule down with the intention Of turning Ills
right and reaching the creek below. The
gunboats and four naoFtars opened upon
them, os soon rs they discovered themselves
in bodies. This firing embarrassed their
movements and consid erably retarded them.
They debouched through the wood and be-
c:nie engaged with the skirmisl.crs Of the
9TH. Thu light was beginning to be- it. earn
e.t. but tile rebels we're gaining ground. The
}
The first tirlng Of the gunboats were heard
l,y Gen Sherman near the Shelby plantation.
lie urged his troops forward and after IN
hours hard marching the 18th regulars and
113th Illinois, who were in the advance, de-
r'oyed US skirmishcrs, came upon body Of
engaged Smith. Immediately engaging
theu, the enemy stood willie disconnected
by the unexpected attack, fought a
| short time and gave way. Our forces pressed
/ then, driving them back toward Smith some
| two miles The gu,lboats opened upon them
| thus hcn;1nca in, and tue day vas ours. The
! rebels retrcated, aud the gunboats were saved
| for that tlay. Our loss WAS but one killed and
| none wounded, Tic loss Of the rebels was
| heavy. The plan alton upon which the en-
! tragc1ncnt took place belonged to a Col. Civ
inS. he was killed, and his wife, beautiful
into tic wood. Que shell from i mortar Kill,
cd twenty six, rs they were ralIying us skir.
| mislers. Another is stated TO have killed anil
! wounded furty persons. They suffered very
much. but as We did not attclp; 10 occupy
the iicld, it cannot be ascertaineu. It being
ble, tile boats at once comtuenced moving
backward, and made several miles that cye'
ming.
I Tic next effort Of the rebels was to pass
around our lines in the afternoon a1rl might
and throw their whole force still further be-
I low ue. .tEn. EIcHafl, Wlln1Onr regiments pl
| Gen. Ewing's brigade, marched on Hills
plantation tie same morning, having run III:
transports in tue night, and Immediately nd
yanccd Tie sth Virginia miles ,ip Deer Greek
and another, tAc 50th Ohio, still further t
tue right. The rebels, who we're making ;
| circuit about Gen. Sherman, thus found III,
whole line occupied, and abandoned til,
attcmrt tocut OF the gunboats for that day
During tic afternoon tie troops and Eun
I boats all arrived ut liills plantation. R:be
scouts followed them within two miles Of tht
| division headquarters. During the uirht tai
:;7th Ohio, Col. Licbcr, which vas on pickc
about ore-half mile ont, was attacked
Dy 4 Equadron Of cavalry. It imme
| dlat.1y npun the rctur1, Of their fire fel
back III the afternoon Of the next dly, th,
the SD Indiana, Col Spooncr, going ont tt
relieve the 3yth, was attacked by three regi
mcnts Of infantry and squadron Of cavalry
Acting under instructions 70 draw them on
aud to develop their whole force, Col. Spooac
skiTmishcd with them, but they refused Il
| 1auSn1 \ sfn mil fwt al hn1f