Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-05-27
Butler and Beauregaru's
Fight,

Ter gives detailed account Of Beaurc-
CARDS concentrated attacI, on our forces
at Palmer's creek, on the 10Th instant
The entire length of the rebel lines
opened with artillery, and shells were
poured in upon our position in showers.
A dense fog cnveloped the country at
the time, and both forces were wrapped
in a misty veil. This was the condition
of affairs when the rebels, massng their
troops, struck our right, under Heck
man, cnyclopcd its faux, and took it in
reverse. The first blow was dealt with
terrific force. Heckmau's brigade Of the
18th corps, holding the right, was doubled
up and forced back On the next Brigade
which was also thrown into some confus-
ion. Our men did not perceive the rebels
until they had succeeded in passing u
column between Heckman's right and
the river, and taking him in front and
rear, crushed him between the column
aud for time created some confusion.
Hickman made gallant fight as long
as he could, but the enemy came upon
him so suddenly, and with such over
wheming numbers that successful resis-
tance was quite impossible, Some OF the
brigade was captured. Perhaps the
stragglers who will report will diminish
the loss somewhat. Hickman is missing =;
but wcther he is killed, woulded, or a
prisoner, has not yet been ascertained.
After this operation, having forced
back the right. heavy attack was made
on the entire line of the 18th corps, with
felnts along the 10th corps, and the en-
tire right was forced back some distance,
after several hours of most severe fight
ing.
The battle ragged with unexamplcI
fury until near twelve o'clock, the rebels
throwing heavy masses upon our lines,
and finally forcing it back nearly II Of
a mile. Our men fought stubbornIy
with few exceptions and resisted every
step, aud repeatedly checked the rebels
advance with terrible slaughter, but not
without some loss on our side.
The cnemy numbered not less than
/ $1,000, and pushed on a: rccA lcs>ness
anI stcliness that is rarely seen. Some
Of the prisoners We took were evidently
III der the influence Of liquor which
madlcuel aal made them lnl1oreat u
death.
In the attack on our siia' we lost
grn or two, and it il slii soma light
pieces. It Is lffieult to aScertaia how
many probably four will cover the
lass.
Capt. BeIger Of the 18th l., |. artl!-
lery j, said to hayc bccn capture /, aud
his Lieut. Killed.
Finally, after Forcing the 18th corps
back from its position and re5alnin1
portion OF the 1t Inc OF entreneameutS,
they massed their forces en- TIA l0th
corps to dfivc 1t back. 1ncy hrst haret
their column upon Turner's division which
held the right OF the corps line joining
the lSth corps. Incy formed IN beau
ItitaI manner, and advanced as il upon
parade, aud moved steadily upon Barton
on the right OF Turner, and not firing a
single shot, waiting until they (the
rebe!,) had reached d good distance for
effective range. Borton's brigade pour
ed into the rebe lines such terrific fire
that the line thinnei ana broke F.; after
yainly cndeavoring the advance against
the storm of bullets fed with terrible
loss to the woods Ill their rear, III Il bro
ken dirorderly manner.
Under cover OF the woods the rebel
line was again formed and again advanced
i'll splendid style against our lines and
again did they receive the terrible fire,
but pushed steadily on until fourth Of
them were laid killed and wounded on
the field, when they broke and fled pre-
cipitatc'y to the woods.
Our boys gave a hearty cheer and
sent yolley after them which told upon
them.
Being twice bloodily repulscl at this
point they moved further to the left and
hurled Il column upon Col. llawley's
brigade of Terry's division. They came
up i'll the same steady and confident man
mr., but were received with a more rapid
and deadly fire than before by Turner
and Barton. The Spence: repeating
rifles, in the hands Of the Ith CT. rcgl-
ment, and the Springfield rifles, In the
hands of the rest OF the brigade, deliv-
cred fire so hot and wthcring that the
rebels could not stand it, but broke and
ran for the woods.
Thpv were determined however 10