Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-06-15
IMPORTANT FROM MILLIkEN,s BEND

Our Forces 1900 strong Attacked by che
Rebels-Our Cavalry and Coiored In
ianfry Drive Back the Enemy
Troops Reinforced by rtillery and the
Gnnboat Choctaw-The Rebels Repui.ed
with Heavy Loss.
CAIRO, June 12.-The steamer Dunleith,
Capt Wilson, arrived this p. m, direct from
Ficksburg on the 18th inst, bringing Memphis
dates Of the 10th. The papers contain nothing
of interest
From an officer of the Dunleith / learn the
following regarding something OF a battle
which came Off at Milliken's Bend on the after
noon OF Saturday last and the forenoon of Sun.
day OF the present week. From the intelligent
source whence it comes, think it can be re-
lied upon as generally correct. The details
may vary somewhat.
On Saturday last our force at Millikens
Bend consisted of about III troops and 500 ne
gro yelunteers-some 800 Or 1000 in all. On
saturday evening the alarm was brought the
commander OF the post that q large force OF reb-
els-some 5000 in a1l-were outside the works
at no great distance. marching upon the FORTH
cations. The commander Immediately sent
out his cavalry, and held the colored troops for
reserves, in case the cavalry had to fall back
1t turned out well that this precaution was Ia.
ken, tor, after engaging the enemy and finding
they were about to be overpowered the cavalry
did fall back and joined the colored infantry.
battle then took place, which was waged
on both sides with terrific fury. The rebels
pressed forward on the white and black tro ops
n.
troops had no artillery, and the rebels had
Yet, after struggle of some hours, the enemy
We're driven on, leaving great nun Der ON the
II Id slain and wounded Their retreat was
ut followed up, our men being so much ex-
hiusted. Our forces fell back to their works,
and preparations were made for defense In
tn evening the steamer St Cloud came up
from below, and learning the bad state of af-
lars returned for reinforcements of artillery
and gunboat. Both We're started up and the
sunooa, ChoctaW arrived upon the spot early
on sumo day morning, to find that the rebels had
returned.
During the night they had busted themselves
In gathering large number OF mules together.
an "heh day broke started them forward,
using them as az 4 means of protection while
IN y followed close behind. They were prompt
~ met by our troops this time, behind their
breastWorks. Gradually the rebels moved their
hue, sacrificing their mules TO the rife shots,
and opened upon the works with rifles, shot
guns and artillery; but they made little by
their strategy. They had got fairly engaged
when the gunboat Choctaw came in for her
share In the fight using with effect her heavy
guns, charged with shell. An unfortunate shot
from Inc ChoctaW, II is said, killed several
members OF the negro regiment 1t was owing
to the tact that she was not able TO raise her
guns sufficiently to fire above them. This was
remedied.
The fight continued, and when the Choctaw
succeeded IN getting range, sent such storm of
shot and shell into the Rebel ranks that, after
being once or two rallied, they broke in disor-
der and fled, taking Off their dead and wounded.
II was impossible for my informant to learn
the extent OF our loss, but it must have been
heavy. One hundred colored men fell THE
enemy's loss was also considerable, and IN TO
the latest dates on Monday, when the steamer
Niagara left for Memphis, they had not returned
10 renew the attack. Should they do so, sufIi-
clent relnforcemeAts in artillery have been for
"arded to give them sudden and efectual
quietness.