Washington telegraph., 1863-07-15

TEE BATTLE AT HELEEA-We have
delayed the publication Of the paper one
day for the purpose Of getting satlstac-
tory account of the battle at Helena, which
was fought last Saturday. Gov. Flanagan
and Col. Gordon Peay have just arrived
from the army. From the Governor, who
was at the battle, we have obtained, sub
stantially, the following statement in re-
gard the plan of the attack and its results
Our forces were as follows: Fagan's brig
ade of 1900 effective men; Parsons OF
1900, McRae's Of 1900; Marmaduke's of
1900 and Walkers Of 1000, making in
all about 1000 effective men. Besides
these forces there was Blocker'e battery
and some artillery attached to Marina
dukes and Walkers brigades According
to the plan Of the battle, Brooks regiment
aud Blocker's battery Of Fagan's brigad,
were to occupy the attention Of the feder-
ais in the bottom below Helena, between
the hills and the river; the balance Of Fa-
gan's brigade was to attack the forces in
the rifle pits leading to the fort on the
hill near Hindnan's house; Gen. Prices
forces, comprising Parsons and McRae's
brigades, were to attack the fort on the
graveyard hill and Fort German; while
Gems Marmadukc and Walker, the latter
on the right, were to attack the fort On
the road leading up the river, called
Grants mill road. Taking the disposition
Of the forces as we have given it, commen-
cling below the town thence on the hills
back of it aronnd to the river above and
some idea may be formed Of the battle
field. Besides the forts named there was
Fort Curtis situated nearer to the town
and in the half circle described by the
oilers. The attack by our forces was to
be simultaneous. The regiment and bat
tery below engaged the attention Of the
enemy according to the plan. Gen. Fa-
gan's forces, little in advance of the
others. commenced the attack between 4
and a. m, passing over and around the
spurs of the steep hills running into the
bottom. He encountered the enemy in
his rife pits and drove him from them
successively under heavy enflading fire
from the fort near Hindman's house and
from the gunboat. His progress was of
course slow but he reached the fort after
suffering perhaps the severest loss of any
Of our forces, and succeeded in communi-
eating with Gen. Price to his left. His
men were too much exhausted and his
ranks so thinned that he did not succeed
in taking the fort.
The next fort, on the graveyard hill
was taken, probably BY Glenn's regiment
Of McRea's brigade. There were two guns
10 it, one was left in good order but the
other had shot rammed in without powder.
! While taking this fort our forces were
exposed TO the enemy's fire from the fort
near Hindman's house, from TT. German
above and from the gunboat The cam
nonadiDg was terrific. We failed 20 take
Fort Gorman-it was too strong for in
fantry, being the best fort they have.
Still farther above, Marmaduke and Wal
ker drove in the enemy's pickets. planted
their artillery on the ridge to command
the river but the enemy found safety be-
hind the levee. The fort on Grants mill
road was not taken, probably not attacked.
The fight having lasted five hoars with
the results stated, when our forces were
all Withdrawn In good order. The enemy
remained in his works and forts evidently
expecting renewal of the fight. The day
was hot and our troops suffered from want
Of water and from heavy marching. They
had slept none the previous night. But
the time for the attack had already passed
and there was no time for delay.
The casualties on our side were about
400 killed. and wounded; the number taken
prisoners is variously estimated, but it is
not large. Loss OF the enemy not known.
Gen Prentiss, who was in command of
the federal forces, promised to parole our
wounded. Capt. Walter Watkins, son Of
Hon. George @. Watkins, was seen to fall
and i supposed to be killed Lieut.. w.
+. Rector, son of ex-Gqv. Rector, is re-
ported mortally wounded. Col. Bell was
reported wounded and was taken prisoner
with the 1t. Col of his regiment Maj.
Geo. A. Gallagher, acting as Adjt. Gen.
to Gen. Holmes, was wounded by a ball
from spherical shot, which struck him on
the chin, breaking the jawbone and knock
ing out his front teeth. Frank Vaughan,
of this county, lost an arm There are
other casualties spoken Of but not sufi-
cieptly certain to be mentioned. We re-
gret that we cannot give a list of them.
Tut should one come before we 20 to press
we will give it.-Linte Rock Democrat,
July Sh.