Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-11-25
THE WAR NEWS.
BATTLE NEAR KNOXVILLE, TENN.
-Four Days Fighting with Longstreet;
The Rebels Repulsed in every at
tack E; Burnside falls back to
Knoxville, etc, etc, etc.

Longstreet, after crossing the Tennessee on
Saturday morning, the 14th inst, was attack ed
in the afternoon by Gen. Burnside, who drove
the advance guard back 10 within mile OF the
river. Lcngstreet crossed the remainder of
his troops during the night, and on Sunday
morning advanced in force. Gen. Burnside,
finding it impossible to cope with him with
the small force at his command, fell back to
Lenoir, his rear guard skirmishing heavily
with the enemy through the day. Three des-
perate charges were made upon our positions
during Sunday night, but were handsomely
repulsed.
On Monday morning Gen. Burnside eyacua-
ted Lenor. Owing to the urgency with which
the Rebels continued the pursuit, he deter
mined to give them decided check, and ac-
cordingly came in line of battle at Campbel's
Station, where a fight ensued lasting from late
in the morning until dark, our first position
commanding the road from both sides. The
infantry deployed in front of this and were
socn attacked by the enemy, who made sever
al gallant charges, and finally succeeded, by
outfanking our men, iu driving them to the
cover of the batteries, which now opened
terrific and destructive fire. The Rebels re-
tired before it, gave away and eventually fed
back to the timber. 1t was now 3 O'Clock in
the afternoon. The Rebels showing a desire
to renew the attack, 8ud having brought three
batteries to their assistance, Gen. Burnside
fell back to a more desirable position, and g.
gain gave them battle. The contest continued,
oil 5rL+
sion Of their own ground.
The object of the fight having been attain
ed, and as the detention oi The 4 ebeIs had en-
abled our trains to get all in advance, our
troops fell back in the night, and early on
Tuesday morning reached Knoxville, where
great battle is expected to be fought.
On the 18th the rebel advance guard attack
ed our outpoSts upon the Loudon and Clinton
roads, and heavy skirnishIng continued all
day. This morning the 18th the attack was
resumed, and the fog which set in during the
night had lifted, the rebels finding it impoSsi-
BILE to drive our nlen with infantry, brought
several guns into position and poured IN a
hanking fire. Ia the afternoon they brought
forward heavy force Of infantry once more,
and after brief skilnIisb, charged our posi-
ton. A terrific hand to-haud conflict occur
red, both sabers and revovers being used on
both sides. Our fought with the greatest
gallantry, but were finally compelled to retire
about one third of mile to strong line,
which they hold. We have to regret the
wounding Of Gen. Sanders, who commanded
the outposts. His condition is critical.
Lieut.. Col. Smith of the Goth Michigan was
killed at CampbeIl's Station. Our loss in
that fight was between 200 and 800 Our loss
on the 18th will not exceed $50.
The enemy's loos Monday, owing to the
severe fire of our artillery, could not have
been less than a thousand. Their loss the
18th is estimated at four or five hundred.
Gen. Shackelford had a brisk fight with the |
rebels, on the other side Of the Holster, three |
miles from Knoxville. He kept them in
check, and at night they disappeared.
Gen Burnside, in private dispatch dated
Knoxville, Nov. 10. says: eve are all right |
yet. The line is still interrupted between /
Knoxvilleand Cumberland Gap. Nothing was
heard from the latter place last night, nor up |
to II O'Clock today Psrson Brownlow |
telegraphs from Barbour Hill Nov. 10, that |
''there is fighting all about Knoxville
Nov. 23.-Burnside is still holding out, and |
notified the citizens that he would certainly
hold Knoxville. The rebel force opposing
lin is estimated at SO 900. Knoxville is not
closely invested, the enemy having withdrawn
from the South side of the river, and we for
sge there. The artillery fighting on the 18th
md goth was very severe. The enemy sus
aimed heavy loss. The withdrawal of the
enemy from the south side of Knoxville, is sig
liicant of decisive repulse. Burnside is hold
ng Knoxville under instructions from Grant
md it is not to be supposed, therefore, that
he forces under Thomas, Hooker and Sher-
nan wasting their time during the mo-
nentous days.
FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA.
Gen. Kelley telegraphs that there is not at