The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-04-28
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The Red river Disaster.
AN Aeeean. Coz. !. Ne.w. os.le.aa.. Z apsr
From The New Orleans Fimes. April Is.


From the New Orleans Times, April 10.
In our issue of yesterday we gave public
ity to the report Of a great battle on the Red
River, between the forces under Gen. Banks
and the rebel arnyTuuder Kirby Smith. BY
the arrival. yesterday morning Of the steam
er Laurel Hill fronl Alexandra, which came
down with freight Of dead and wounded,
we are placed in possession OF fuller particu-
lars concerning the affair a gentleman be
longing to MINIS battery, who was detailed
to take charge Of some anbulances, and VINO
was at the trout when the rebels made theif
first attack, kindly furnishes US with the fol-
lowing succinct history OF this and the sue
ceeding battles:
On FRIDAY the Sth instant, the head Of
the column, consisting Of Gen. Lees cavaE
nv division, was attacked by large body OF
rebels while within four miles OF Mansfield.
They at first attempted TO flank our right,
bat were held at bay by the I'd Illinois cav
alry, 87tlT Illinois mounted infantry, battery
G, 5th United States Regulars, and the 9th
Missouri battery. -1a
On the left of these forces was the LIST di-
vision, 18th Army Corps, commanded by
General hansoIu. e..H
81 At the extreme left were posted MINIS bat
terry and the stNew Hampshire cavalry.
After an unsuccessful effort Of three hours
te flank the right, they changed their plan,
and suddenly appeared directly III our front
in overwhelming numbers. r-.... < f..
They came iboidIy on, Notwithstanding
the disastrous fire poured upon them from
MINIS battery and line Of cavalry.
This battery, under command Of 1st Lieu
tenant w. X. Snow, numbered up, and was
about 20 proceed from the field, when the
hotses of,three Of the guns were killed; con.
Gequently 1t became necessary to leave the
gus Oh thetield. About this time Lieuten-
ant Snow received a severe wound in the
right breast HeWas left ia the hands ofthe
rebels General Ransom was also wounded
during the afternoon by a Minnie ball. Just
above the left knee 1t was feared at one
time that the General would have to under
20 amputation, but he is now doing we'll
Our weak line was soon broken, and gen
eral panic commenced.
TheIfagon train Of the cavalry division
had been brought almost into the battle.
field consequently the'road was completely
blocked up, and the artillery could find no
exit. r -.y6s s t..se,
The Chicago Mercantile Battery and 1st
Indiana, who were posted Immediately in
the rear Of the cavalry force, lost most of
their guns and suffered severely in the loss
Of men.
Battery G, 9TH U. S. regulars, and the 9th
Missouri two.
Our forces continued to retreat until about
l clock, when the 10Th Army Corps was
massed i'll an open space, and awaited the
coming Of the enemy. .-s
They had not long to wait, for the rebels,
thinking that our troops would still be on
the retreat, came boldly upon the Nineteenth.
and were bravely met The roar of mugE1et-
ny was terrible, and the slaughter Of the reb-
els immense. This operation had the effect
Of checking the further advance Of the enc.
my during the night.
Our wagon trains, after the panic had sub
sided, were headed to the rear and moving
all night, arrived at Pleasant Hill on Satur-
day morning at 8 o'clock.
The 18th Corps fell back to within four
miles of Pleasant Hill, and there remained
until our wagon trains had got over two
miles to the rear, and Gen. Smith had ar
ranged his forces on the Hill to the south
west of the road
About 4 o'clock in the evening, everything
being in readiness, the 10Th commented
falling back, and the rebels falling back
came unawares upon General Smiths forces
who opened with artillery from the Hill
causing the enemy to break and run, leavfne
their dead and wounded on the field.
Our forces gave pursuit for six miles, cap
turing large number Of prisoners, and com.
plerely routing the enemy. +.
Our forces on Sunday last were encalnped
in and around Grand Ecore, a landing place
on the Red river for the town of Natchitoches.
The enemy were quiet and showed no signs
of battle. VIZ
About 400 wounded men came to the city
yesterday, on the hospital boat Laurel Hill.
Among them Mere Brig. General Ransom,
Colonel Robinson, LIST Louisiana cavalry and
commanding LIST brigade cavalry.
Col, Benedict, of the 162d New York, is
among the killed, 3D.. -
Col. Webb, of the 18th Illinois, was also
killed in the LIST days fight.
Colonel Mix, New York, killed.
Lieut.. Colonel Newbold, killed
Lieutenant Logan, 18th Iowa, killed
Captain Black, 18th Iowa, killed
Captain Chapman, Judge Advocate on
Gen. Frankln's staff, had both feet shot off
just above the ankle, and it is believed was
left in the enemys hands.
The rebel General Mouton is also report
ed to have been killed during the second
days fight
Our loss in artillery was some sixteen or
eighteen pieces, Three are reported to have
been re-taken.