The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-04-23

fighting up Red River, has assumed de-
finite shape. The fight occurred on the
Sth inst, at Sabine Cross Roads, some 5
miles below Shreveport The federals
were defeated with loss of 1900 or more
men. md % guns. A correspondent of
the Chicago Journal gives the following
account of the battle:
GRAND EcoRE, La. 7
OK RED RIVER April 10, 1864 !
l have very bad news to write to you.
We have met with a severe disaster
Our cavalry had been driving the enemy
Cor two days, but in the forenoon Of tae
Sth instant they sent back word Cor in
fantry support General Ransom, In com
mand Of the Sd and 4th divisions Of the
18th Army Corps, wac ordered TO send
forward a brigade, and DID SO. At noon
he was ordered to send Up all of the 4th
division, and went with them. After adj
vancing about five miles from where the
Sd division of his command and the 10Th
Army Corps were encamped, the rebels
made a stand, and Our line, consisting of
only 400 Infantry, was formed IN q belt
of woods, with an open field in front, and
side General Stone (ef Balls Bluff fame),
Shtcl vi NCuCidi bdheS Stdh, "stS ou tic
field and took direction of the movements
General Ransom was in favor of advancing
only in force, but his wish was disregarded,
We were FIVE miles from our reinforce>
nients. with thick woods behind them,
through which ran narrow road, com.
pletely filled with wagon trains, and mak-
ing An orderly retrea: impossible.
After keeping up skirmish firing across
this open field for about an hour, the en-
envy advanced upon us in overwhelming
numbers not less than ten
thousand strong. General Ransom got
all his available troops to the front and
opened on them. The enemy lost heavily,
but tkey advanced steadily, and soon
made our cavalry give way, and the in
fantry fell back. In few moments the
enemy pressed US SO closely, and the panic
of the cavalry was SO denlsralizing that
the retreat became a rout. The General
did all in his power to rally the men, but
finding it impossible without reinforce
ments, he made every effort to save the
artillery. 1t was while endeayoring to
get the Chicago Mercantile Battery off
safely that General Ransom was severely
wounded in the leg, and Captain Cyrus f.
Dickey, his Adjutant (son of Judge Dick
ey, of Ottawa, Ill J, was instantly killed by
aeing shot through the head Our loss
was large-probablv about 1900 The
Mercantile Battery lost all their guns; and
Captain White is a prisoner, Lieutsnants
Ihroop and Barr killed, and the loss Of
the battery in killed and captured is thir-
ty. The battery boys lost all their cloth
ing One hundred and ten of them re-
turned to the camp after the disaster.
While the 4th division was falling back
IN disorder. the Sd division, numbering
only 1900 men, came up and was immedi-
ately routed. This was after General
Ransom had been wounded and taken to
the rear: Finally the 10Th Army Corps,
with 1000 men, came up, formed line,
checked the enemy, and held them until
We got all cur trains except that Of the
cavalry
1t has been terribly unfortunate affair
Su. no one here attaches the least blame
20 General Ransom, who acted under orr
ders, and, until disabled, did all that aay
officer could do under the circumstances :;
but with an overwhelming force TO con-
tend against, and ns requirements, what
coult be expected but just such rout.
The whole army is now falling back
mere, whore 1t must wait to reorganize be
fore proceeding further towards Shreye-
port.
On the 9th the fight was resumed at
Pleasant Hill where the rebels were de-
fsa:ed with heavy loss, 1000 of them be-
Ing taken prisoners, and two of the Fede-
raj guns recaptured. The rebel forces in
these engagements numbered $1,000, and
were under command of Kirby Smith,
Dick Taylor, Magruder and Hclmes beng
his subordinate commanders Notwith-
standing the Federal victory on the second
day, Banks subsequently fell back to Grand
Ecore, III consequence Of a scarcity of ra-
lions, and sent a message to Admiral Por-
ter, who was 30 miles above, to return
with transports containing supplies for the
army. While the fleet was decendinc the
river, an attack was made upon it by The
rebels from both banks; but the assai.ants
were finally driven off, with an estimated
loss of 500 or 800 zen. The feet suffered
but little injury.
The inactivity in tho region south CT
Washington is about 10 be broken up. not
by Aeaao or Grant, but by Gen Lee as
Stunning the offensive 1t seems certain
that Gen Longstreet, who las rejoined
Lee, Is marching towards Staunton, with
the view of advancing down the Shenan.
doah Valley. Lee is also receiving rein.
forcenlents from Johnston and Beaurecard
Seven days rations have been served out
10 lis army, preparatory to a forward
movement All the sick in the Army of
the Potomac have been sent to Wasbins.
ton hospitals, and the understanding is
that campaign will be commenced imme
diately. Gen. Grant left Washington on
Thursday for the front
Reports are renewed of another extern
sive raid about to be mad C into Kentucky
by Buckner Breckenridge, and Morgan.
A rebel force was recently defeated near
Pantsyille, and again at Half Mountain
ana Louisa In ths Half Mountain fight
So rebels were killed and wounded and 20
taken prisoners. The Federal loss was
only l killed and wounded All isasain
quiet in Central Kentucky.
On the 18th inst, force Of from 10000
to 10 900 rebels made an assault upon For,
Gray, and of the defences of Plymouth n
e. and were CALAMITY repulssd with grea,
slaughter. There are Iumor. that sim,
Infamous demonstration was made in the
vicinity of Newburn.
Forrest was at Jackson Tenn, On the
18th inst, with thirty-nine regiments
There is rumor that his forces have
crossed the Ta!lahatchie but it is not
credited. Since the occupation Of West
Tennessee and Ken lucky by the rebels,
they have censcrip.sd a,out 5000 men.