The Portland daily press., 1864-05-18
Letter from L0uisiana---Batile of Cane
River Crossing.
New ORLEANS. May 4th, 1864,

To the Editor Of the Press:
The readers of the Press will be interested
in learning the particulars of the engagement
at Cane River Crossing, in which the ''Maine
Both" took a conspicuous part, and which re-
suited in a complete victory, and route of the
enemy, but not without the loss of seventy
brave men killed and wounded in this regiment
alone.
The army commenced falling back from
Pleasant Hill towards Alexandria, on Thurs
day, April 9th, and reached Grand Ecore, a
distance Of forty miles, on the tenth, and left
ON Thursday, the twenty-frst.
AT Grand Eeore the army crossed Cane
river, which runs down nearly parallel with
Red river, making an island of forty miles in
length.
The enemy had previously sent forward
large force by a cireutous route, and occu-
pied a choice position at Cane River Crossing,
near its lower junction with the Red river.
The position was elevated, and commanded
the crossing.
1t was the intention of the enemy TO hold
our forces in check without means for sup
plies, while the army in the rear closed upon
us, and thus intending TO bring on an engage
meut to their advantage. 1t became necessa-
ry to take the position by storm, aud Col. Fes-
sender was directed TO take his brigade for
this duty. He forded the river, in order to
attack the enemy on the flank, and had scarce
ly time to place the different regiments in
proper line, when he was compelled to advance
and with hasty movement to lead his men on
fearless of danger.
They were Obliged to go through an open
field, and thus ascend an elevation occupied
by the enemy. Midst cannonading and shot
they pressed on, but when they had nearly
reached the hill Col. Fessenden fell wounded
and was borne from the field. The men still
inspired by his bravery pushed resolutely on,
scaled the hill, and put 10 tight the rebel host
collected there. The number Of killed and
wounded in this brigade was two hundred and
fifty.
Col. Fessenden was taken to the hospital
tent under charge of Surgeon S. c. Gordon,
formerly of Gorham. His wound was exam
ined, and it was ascertained that the bali had
entered the right leg, midway between the
foot and the knee joint. 1t penetrated the
flesh and struck the "tibia," and then re-
bounded.
Alter consulting with several eminent sur
geons, it was considered practicable to try and
save the leg. The Colonel remained comfort
able and was brought TO this city last Friday,
sha ,I,a ,f H.. IT
was conveyed TO the st. James Hospital, and
on Saturday he was put under the influence
Of chloroform and his wound was again exam
ined by the surgeons of that institution
IL is reported by them that the examination
elected the fact that there was cominuted
fracture of the tibia 1.-THE large bone of the
leg), two large sections of the bone were de-
tached, and several small pieces were driven
into the soft parts, causing large accumula-
ton of pus in the tissue burrowiDg to the an
kle joint; the lower fragment was dead,
and the periostium for considerable dis
lance above and below the fracture was also
dead.
Under these circumstances an amputation
"eA7 Nce7fNStNN Sha was Hhhtahf
performed by DIR. Bacon, Acting Medical In
spector of this Department, about six inches
below the knee. The Colonel stood the oper-
alton with remarkable GOODNESS, and gave jest
10 the occasion with his usual chcerfulnrss.
lie has been quite comfortable since the oper-
alton. | have seen his stump dressed to-day,
1.-THE 4thl and SO far everything looks rery IA
rorGb}e lie is In good spirits, and appears
better to-day than on any other previous oc-
casion since the accident. He desires TO join
the command at an early day, for his brave
heart never falters In the cause for which he
has already made sueh sacrifices | forward
a list Of the killed aud wounded of the 30th
Maine on the 23d, for which am indebted to
DIR. Sorger The army is at Alexandria.
Paymaster Richardson arrived yesterday with
s3,0O0,O00, and our troops will be paid of at an
early day.
Sergt. Geo. w. Sweat, of Gorham, had his
leg amputated on the field by DR. Gordon,
aud is now in this city at the hospital, doing
well. Yours truly, FIR.