New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-03

I
men, Of Gen. Corcoran and Col Spear 'a'e' " ''
success. A.; orn;ng II
le".n 49,, ". con pryor pushed his way across the
Black water last Sunday, Us " As '"Pp 60. %
''.'NA " 90 and augmented bis force up 70
as''e - be took position about nine mil
Com spfolk. at q point known as 'no ''o'V'
hono, a locality commanding the ro'u "on 'H''
~ 20 Rankin, and completely protecting his Tor
w." rain. Our scouts brought in Information OF the
s'heresbou. of the enemy, and at late hour on
Tbursday night Gen. Peck dispatched force, under
command of Gen. CorcoIan. Our troops prepared
With great aacrity for the expedition and departed
for The scene of action about III O'Clock.
Col. Spear, whose perfect knowledge Of the road
rendered his services invaluable to the command,
led the advance with the llth Pennsylvania Caval'
~. The utmost secIesy observed In regard to
the movements a precaution at once valuable ana
recesssrv The reports OF the scouts proved to be
correct and at the point of the road suggested by
Col Spear the outer piekets Of the Rebels were
come up with by an advance guard OF the Pennsyi'
yauia Cavalry, led BY Lieut. Roper Az tins time
,be moon had gone down, aud it was imp, s'iole 70
dstiI gush the exact position OF the foe. The pick
es fled at the approach of our cavalry, aud Lieut.
Roper was ordered to proceed cautiously and feel
the strength Of the post.
After proceeding a short distance be deserted
party Of men drawn across the road ar II 10 dispute
bis passage. He immediately dashed forward aud
asked, "who are YOU" volley was the response
and Lieut.. Roper retired 10 make report Folletts
battery was then wheeled into position, and at 90
aicl III ed i'm ear
Then ensued 40 exhibition of artillery practice such as
has been rarely seen this war. Forthree hours aud
eleven minutes this artillery duel continued, and the
service of the guns both rides said 10 have been
unexceable. During this time the enemy was
slowly giving way before the superiority OF our can
ponsiing. Their pieces we're oil Elenced by 7
O'clock and they had been driven TWO miles from the
4" deserted house."
Pryor had the advantage Of position, and the d.
recon Of bic artillery equal to ours but his ill.,
fantry and cavalry proved no match for ours. As
the enemys battery seemed 10 became weaker aud
weaker, Col. Spear advised that the time bad ar
rived for charge, and Gen. Corcoran gave the Or
der TO advance upon the position. IL must be con-
fessed that the ordeal was fearful one for untred
troops. The only way to advance was through
sort Of gorge, with heavy timber and swamp land
on each side Of the road. IL Was indeed entering
tie valley of tue shadow OF death" for the enc
my's cannon swept the narrow deile as with The
beslm OF destruction.
But that was the road 70 victory; there was no
other. and along that terrible pathway our soldiers
wee required TO pass. The moment was one OF peril
To delay WIS 20 lose the chance Of triumph; and,
alhouea death and danger marked the hour, 1t WAS
the lime to show the bravery Of heart and the
,trepeth Of arm Of our noble Union soldiers. Shame
to record it, the 10Th Regiment Penrsylv
Miitia-draiied men-was not equal 10 the emer'
gency Like the yeicst craveps that ever cursed a
noble cause, nearly every man Of this regiment
skulked, and all were as deaf TO the calls OF their
commanding general Us they were insensible to the
demands Of patriotism aud the ordinary dictates oil
manhood.
The delay occasioned by the Supineness Of the
Pennsylvania regiment Lest the golden opPor'
tunity to capture largo portion Of The enemy s
cannon and many prisoners. Time was afforded the
enc ny TO resume HE retrogade movement and iaae
up q new position. Skrnshing continued for come
seven mile. along tho road, aud at about O'Clock
the rear guard Of the rapidly skedadding Rebels
wss overtakcD, and another sharp engagement
between the infantry took place about two miles
from Carsville. Night coming on, 1t WIS not
deemed expedent 10 make further putnit, aud the
enemy was alo we'd to male his way to the Black
water without interruption.
| The battle was exceedingly well contested The
number Of troops on each sice equal, the enemy
having the advantage Of choice Of position. 10 open
| field fighting it was fully demonstrated that the
Rebels are lacking in the stamina possessed by the
Northern troops. They fought desperately, it is ad
mitted but with bravery no doubt more stimulated
by tho stomach than the head-tbey were fighting
/ for provender, not from principle.
The cOolness and judgment displayed by Gen.
Corcoran is highly praised, aud the eneomidm' be-
slowed upon him are shsrcd in by Col. Spear. Both
of these officers displayed in brilliant manner Gl
the characteristics Of the finished soldier and the
accomplished gentleman. Our victory las been
dearly bought considering the result attained, but
still il is triumph TO be proud Of.
| The enemy hss been driven back 10 bis lair by al
equal force, and if our loss is great in view Of the
numbers engaged, the Rebels have undoubtedly lost
elk TO our one, 40 evidenced by their hospital ar
rangements along the route Of their retreat. An
idea Of the determined resistance Of the enemy and
the perseverance, of troops may be gained in the
fact that the fight and pUrsuit aperiod Of ovcr
thirteen hours. Our troops all came into camp thls
morning, and the wounded are being well cared for.
Condition Of our yYoundcd-Brutnlity Of
secesh Femuics-1neidents.
From Our Special Correspondent. ". -, zoe.
lat,l. 10 rfe I