Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1863-03-27
WINSTON, NORTH CAROLINA,
van r Dorm. victory i'm the west. 9


VAN Dorn's victory I'm the West. g
We had be gan to doubt not only whethe
Van Dorm had won victory ir TenI essee, ,bu
even that there had been "a fight. But we re
ioice to find in the Sayannall Republican ethi
morning long letter fully confirming the re
ported victory. The description Of the contes
is uninteresting, 50 we annex only enough g
the letter to show that there was fight an
the extent Of our success. The letter is date.
Spring Hill, Tenn, March S, on the day am
at the place where the fight occurred, and i
from the Repub blican's regular correspondent
The engagement had now lasted three hours
with varied success, and at this time we hat
gradually drove the enemy from the crest o
the lower hills to a still stronger position upol
the higher ones-driving them over towards
the other road where Forrest had been directed
to come upon his rear. The fighting had con-
tinued sharply and the gaining of each position
had required severe struggle, and occasion
ally met with a repulse, the enemy appearing
to be determined TO hold out and finally drive
us back. Crosby's brigade now came up il
good time and galioped along the pike in full
view OF the enemy, and filed off into the valley
at the left of the pike. At this moment the
enemy's artillery ceased, and Kings battery
was placed upon an en.inence their forces five
minutes before had occupied, and being well
served, forced still further retreat of the enc
my. Crosby now commenced advancing a.
round upon their extreme right flank, and for
a time all firing ceased. Our men upon the
slope of the hills, Of which the enemy occupied
the crest little northwest, then commenced
in the finest line ef battle of the day
but though the enemy were IN good po
sitien and easy range, they fired not shot,
Presently Forests guns were heard upon
their rear, and the Yankees ran up white flag,
when Van Dorm sent to ascertain the nature
of it, aud it was learned that the entire force OF
the enemy upon the ground laid down their
arms and surrendered Internationally. A wild
Joyous shout broke from eur gallant men, and
the Yankees grounded arms, and their five reg
iments of infantry, umberlng $500 men, were
marched forth prisoners. They were under
the command of the senior Colonel, Cobura,
fl ON Indiana, who says he was compelled to
surrendsg by the cowardiy retreat of an Ohio
regiment ofinfantry and three regiments of cav
airy, and tho battery of artillery, which We did
not succeed in getting.
The regiments capitulated were from lndi-
ara, Michigan and Wisconsin. So soon as the
surrender was effected. Irode over every por-
tion of the field and counted our own aud the
Yankee dead and wounded. The disparity in
numbers was astonishing, for everywhere [
'ound four and five dead Yankees to one Con.
ederate. The hill upon the left of the pike
which had been so hotly contested, and from
which they drove us back, contained more of
he unfortunate than any other portion of the
ield. Upon it | counted DO Of the enemy's
lain. Up to the last few charges all OF the enc
ny's wounded had been removed by their ex.f
,elient hospital corps, and sent off in the am.
,ulances to Franklin. Their. .ambulances, wag
"a train, and ammunition train stampeded and
eft. them without ammunition. The loss of
he enemy estimated at 10 killed 300 woun-
led, 1900 prisoners, who surrenders as many
me new Enfield rifles aud cartridge boxes. Our
wn loss is 50 killed and l25 wounded. IA The
,risoners we,e sent on to Bragg to night. (. .
As Gen Van Dorn rode along the column
fser the strife had ceased, cheer upon cheer
reeted him from the enthusiastic soldiery,
rho, under his daring direction, had achieved
he victory, and he is undoubtedly held high. at
he present moment in the estimation OF his for
es. and this confidence is well deserved. j.
GEN. PRMBERroN BEAT.-A good dodge was
rcently played off on Gen. Pemberton and his
ficers, Who, by their acts, are apparept1E try>
lg to starye out she city of Mobile They re.
Use to let produce of any description come
own .heT Mobile & Ohio railroad, when there is