The Richmond palladium., 1863-10-30
The Advance Of our FORCES in
Louisiana.
HEADQUARTERS 1sr DIVISION,
10Th Army Corps, :


After the slight skirmish with enemy on
Sunday evening, the 4th inst. and the rap
ID retreat Of the enemy for some four miles,
they again, as soon as our advance halted.
assumed their air of defiance, sending their
scouts within Short distance of our lines,
AID making a show of strength which they
were not supposed to be possessed Of. Ac-
cordinsly, on Tuesday, Col. Davis was or
dered forward to furnish them an opportu
nifty for fight or foot race. at their own
option. Their determination was quickly
taken at the appearance of our force, and
thu gallant little Colonel gave them hot
chase for several miles, acceleraiiug their
unreluc,ant movement by a brisk applica-
ton Of musketry and shells from Captain
Minis battery. One horse was killed, and
report says few of the enemy were woun-
ded
The ground thus gained it was desirable
to hold. and accordingly the first brigade OF
this division, Acting Brig. .-Gen. Love com
manding. was ordered forward to the sup
port of the cavalry. They were no. inter
fered with, the enemy preserving their dis
hand for a race upon our advance. The
morning of Thursday. the 9th inst, the
l9th corps was ordered to advance, the
rear of the entire column. consisting Of the
18th army corps, Maj Gen. Ord command
ing. having closed up. and the entire com.
mand being we'll in hand. advancing cauti-
ously, but surely. ready for service 10 mo-
ment should occasion require. There was
no occasion. however, for the troops to ties,
the fighting qualities Of the rebels. for they
kept we'll out Of range, retreating before the
cavalry without firing n shot. At nigh. the
encampment was pitched on the open prair-
lie. about seven miles from Vermillion BAYOU
at which point the enemy were reported in
force at from 1000 to 5000 men, with
heavy siege guns, two field batteries Of ar.
tillery, quite force Of cavalry. and several
regiments Of infantry. Our cavalry were
sent well to the 'front.' and exchanged shots
with the enemy's pickets. who were posted
on the east side Of the bayou The posi-
ton OF the enemy, was, appareEtly, pow
erful one, and il they mustered as strong as
reported. everything looked fair for severe
engagement. During our stay at thi. camp.
Col. Paine. of the 2j Louisiana regiment,
ranking officer Of the Grst brigade. arrived
and assumed command. relieving Col. Love.
who assumed command of his old re, iment.
the l 10th New York volunteers.
Next morning. a, s o'clock, the advance
was resumed, and about IL O'Clock reached
favorable position for forming line Of bAss
tie in the neghborhood. of which Msior- |
General Franklin. who had preceded the
army short distance. had established his |
headquarters. Col. Davis, from q point |
about a quarter of mile to the right. open |
ed the fight with brisk skirmisb. -driving |
The enemy across the bayou. and followed
up the advantage with hot ERE from the
section Of Minis rided battery vita his COM
mand. 10 a very short time . battery OF
the 1st Regular United States artillery.
(Elaian'sl under command of Lieut.. Frank /
Taylor. was in position ir the csnte<, imme-
diately opened ere. ssndiog shalls-soze Q
or miles across the bayou. stirrsng up the
enemy 10 lively style. Tsylor was followed
by the lst Indiana Battery, MAJOR Ray. |
commanding which was stationed on the
extreme left. and opened With the twenty |
and thirty FOUNDER rife pieces. sheliing the
uoods on the shore OF abe bayou, mp and
down. The two last aamcd batteries were
assisted by the ll6th New York Volunteers,
Col. Love (of the lst brigade. Col Prize. |
lss division. Gen. Weiszel) }. whoo vers de-
Pioyed IS .skirmishers. supported b. tie |
1l5:h n. Y Volunteers. Col. Kinsy, cf the /
same brigade. For about an hour the firing
was very warm. the booming OF the cannon /
being inserspersed With the sharp reports of
the muskets. the enemy replying but fesbly /
mostly from the Left Of their line, and soon
csasing altogether. A reconnaissance re-
vsaled the fact that they had lied. in their
haste leaving behind them 10 their camp,
diensf al. cooked. some arms. canp furni- |,
suFe, and in one spot three Of their hsts.-ii
A force WAS imRsdiAtsly thrown aeross, tie
cavalry fordiag. cioss to The remains Of u