The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-03-12

Our forces Body cut to Pieces - Three
Regiments Killed or Cdptured.-
Strange Failure to Re enforce the
Bravc.
NASHVILLE, Friday, March 6, 1863.
There was fighting all day yesterday
between Van Dorn's command and a
Union force of three regiments Of in
fantry, about 500 cavalry, and one bat
terry, at Sp,ingville, lS miles south of
Franklin. Col. Coburn's three regi-
ments of infantry were cut to pieces or
captured by the Rebel forces. They
fought desperately, but the ammunition
became exhausted; aud the Union
troops, overp"wered by superior mum
bers, were either killed or captured.
The cavalry aud artillery got off safely.
M re endorsements from Gen. Gilbert
at Franklin reached the scene of &C.
ton. There were seven regiments of
Union troops at that place. Van Dorm
is reported To have $4,000 men under
his command.
Further details Of the fight at Frank
lin yesterday have been received. Five
regiments of infantry, and one battery
of the 18th Ohio, with the 9th Pennsyl.
vsnia and 2d Michigan Cavalry, all un
der command of Col. Cobnrn nf sd
Indiana, advanced on Spring Hill OH
the 4lh inst. Several spirited skirmish.
es took place during the day, our troops
camping four miles distant.
On the 5th, movement was appar-
ent, and during some disorder on our
left, they suddenly opened on our men
with three bait cries, on different points,
at the same time. The enemy also ap
peared OH each flank, in greatly superi
or force. The unequal contest was
maintained with great determination,
with heavy loss OH both sides, and re-
suited unfortunately to our troops
large part of the SD Indiana, 10Th
Michigan, 22d Wisconsin, and S5th In
diana, with the most of their commits
stoned officers, being captured.
Our artillery and cavalry were suc-
cessfully Withdrawn. The 1874 Ohio
was out, but returned without loss. All
is quiet to-day. The Rebels have fall
len back. Their force was infantry,
with heavier artillery than ours.
Gen. Gilbert's non action in failing
to rc-rntorce Col. Coburn is severely
censured by officers and men.
FRANKLIN, March 8.-As regards
the fight and disaster of Thursday, at
Spring Hill, there is no evidence tina,
Col. Coburn, commanding, omitted the
necessary precaution against surprise,
and no evidence, in fact, that our force
was surprised. Van Dorm was known
To he in force ahead, and the brigade
was snlidly advancing aud constant,
diminishing, when the rebels appeared
in overwhelming numbers. There was
no ambuscade-ihee enemy simply hav
ing the numbers tn engage us in front
and at the same time throw large bod
les upon either faux.
The l24 Ohio, which was in the rear
with n wagon train al the time of the
rebel flank movement was cut off from
the main body and escaped.
The pod Wisconsin,, 10Th Michigan,
and 95ih Indiana, were then complete
~ surrounded, and after the exhaustion
uf all the ammunition, having inflicted
a severe loss on the rebels, were forced
To surrender.
A Nag Of truce, sent to the rebel lines
on the succeeding day by Col. Opdikr,
To obtain information of our losses, wa.
prohibited approaching the battle field
Officers of the escort were told by
rebel officers that they had buried
abont ninety Federal priva,es killed
outright, and twenty who afterwards
lied from wounds. They said from ESQ
In 800 F-derals were wounded, but no
Federal officers were killed, at least
none were found Ia bury, aud hut one,
Col. j. p. Baird, of the 95th Indiana,
wounded slightly.
They admit having had f"rce OF
from Is, 900 To- 10000 belonging to Van
Dorn's division. They say sixteen rebel
Briga.lirr Generals were on the field,
and an actual force of 200 engaged.
They acknowledge the loss of one Colo
mel and several line officers, and say
that their loss is $50 killed, and pro
portionate number wounded, which
largely exceeds that OF the FederaIs.
Col. Coburn surrendered his com.
mand in person TO Gen. Forrest, who
gave the Colonel an escort to ride over
the field and look after the wounded.