Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-04-20
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. :,
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES ]
THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION.

p -
Severe Union Disaster Reported-Part of
the Thirteenth Army Corps Engaged
Gen. Stoneman in Command-tieneral
Ransom Wounded-Union Loss 1000
II ebel Loss also Heavy. =- g-rra.a
CHICAGO, April 19.--The Evening journal
publishes letters from the Red river expedition,
dated Grand Encore, April 10th and 11th, CIV
ing the details of a severe Union disaster at
Pleasant Hill, De Soto county, Louisiana.
Our cavalry Of the Sd and 4th divisions, Of
the 18th army corps, after a hard fought battle,
were put to rout by largely superior force
of rebels.
Gen Stonenaan was in command OF the move.
ment. -G.
The 10th army corps finally came up and
checked the pursuit Our loss was 1900. The
enemy also lost heavily. Gen. Ransom, who
commanded the Sd and 4th divisions, was
wounded in the earlier part Of the fight. The
Chicago mercantile battery lost all Its guns,
officers and % men. tN.78t
..,..s --s. o.. Further. Particulars.
CHICAGO, April 19.--The Journals letter
from Grand Encore Of the 10th inst, says our
cavalry had been driving the enemy for two
days, but on the forenoon of the Sth sent back
word for infantry supports. Gen. Ransom, in
command Of the Sd and 4th divisions of the 18th
corps, v as ordered to send forward q brigade,
and he did so. At noon he followed with the
4th division, and after advancing about three
rhaDd and the 10Th corps were encamped, the
rebels made astand. and our line, consisting of
only 2,5G0 infantry, was formed in q belt of the
r oods with an open field IN front, and the
enemy in lie woods on the other side
G en-. Store, chief Of Gen. Banks staff was
on the Held and took the direction OF the move.
ments. -.. .s.r
Gen. Ransom was in favor of advancing
only in force, but his wish was disregarded
s After 8 skirmish across this open field for
about IN hour the enemy ad vanced upon US in
strong. General Ransom got ali the available
troops 10 the front and opened on the enemy
he lost heavily, but advanced steadily. Soon
all Of the cavalry gave way and the infantry
fell back. In a fEw moments the enemy pressed
closely up. The panic of the cavalry so de-
morall2ed the army that the retreat became a
ropt. The General did all in his power to rally
them, but finding it impossible without rein.
forcements, made every effort to save his artil-
lery. While endeayoring to get the Chicago
Mercantile Battery oil safely Gen. Ransom was
severely wounded in the leg Captain Cyrus
E. DiGkey, has adjutant, was instantly killed.
Our loss Eas large, probabfy 2.0U0 The Mer-
cantile Battery lost all its guns Capt. White
was taken prisoner. Lieutenants Throop and
n Bride: were killed. Loss OF the battery in
killed and captured, 3l0. But enc OF these re-
turned 10 camp after the disaster While the
4th division was Ting buck in disorder, the I'd
division, numbering only 500 men, came up
an was inlInediately routed Finally the 10th
They ch ec8ed the enemy and held them until
we,eo: al the trains oil, except that OF the cav
afTv. i-i - -" -(t-+ 'a'..-
? The whole army is falling back bere where
it must wait TO reCrganize before proceeding
farther toward Shire Yeport- ~. - -rs..--