The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1864-04-28
The War in Louisiana.

CAIRO, april ~, 1854.
We have perfectly reliable informant
day from Grand Ecore, La, to the
18th.
The informant corroborates in the
main tho statements already published
regarding the fighting on the sth and
9th insts., and furnishes the following
additional PARTICULARS, The first meeting
Of the enemy by our cavalry in the ad-
vance upon Shreveport, was on the 9th,
when but short distance from Natchi.
toches, and they continued skirmishiug
up to the 9Th, when they were fifteen
miles beyound Pleasant Hill, and about
forty five from Shreveport. The rebels
had posted themselves in force upon both
sides Of the road our cavalry must pur-
sue. At noon of that day there was
heavy fighting. Our cavalry commander
sent back to obtain infantry support, but
the force of the enemy was not actually
known, and only two or three brigades Of
the 18th army corps were sent forward,
one brigade at a time, supposing they
would be ample to keep sh en-. back, but
which lasted from half past four p. M T.
till dark, was very heavy. We lost con.
siderable, and the enemy captured Il
guns, part of the Mercantile Battery of
Chicago, and an Indiana battery, and
our wagon train. This was about the
result Of the first days fighting.
On the 9th, our forces having fallen
back to Pleasant Hill, Gen. Banks sent
Gen. A. j. Smith, with parts Of the 10Th
and 18th army corps, and the 10th corps
under Franklin, 70 reinforce and took
command ID person. The rebel advance
was checked. There was severe fighting
on about the same hours in the afternoon
as on the previous day, proceeded by
skirmishiug in the fore part of the day,
and the result our arms were triumphant,
the enemy being driven of the field in a
perfect rout. The heaviest fighting was
from p. m. until dark, when the rebels
were in full retreat. Their loss is prob
ably as heavy, if not heavier, than ours
We captured two guns and from 500 te
1000 prisoners on the second day. Gu,
loss is not exactly known, but is severe
The country where the battle wa:
fought was covered with pine timber
utterly barren, unproductive, and NJ
support could be obtained for man 0,
beast. Our men started with only fou,
days lations and lost the most of that ir
the first days fighting, and the rebel:
endeavored to cut off transports which
were guarded by Admiral Porter's gun
: boat fleet. When on the way down t
} Grand Ecorc, they were attacked a
} every point by artillery and infantry aut
but for the gunboats must have faller
into rebel hands. Such an event woule
have been fatal in the extreme. Par, o
! the 18th Corps was on transports ais,
coming to Grand Ecore This was 0,
= the 18th and 18th inst.
. Gen. Ransom was wounded in thu kne
by a musket bullet Col Dickey, Of hi
staff, is reported killed in the first day
fighting. Our loss was great in commits
+. stoned officers on the 9Th and 9th.
r While Admiral Porter's gunboats wer
!, firing upon the rebels, spirited attacl
upon the transports was CALAMITY repell
ed. The rebel Gen. Green was Instant
killed, shell taking off his head. Gen
erals Parson and Morton arc also report
ed killed during the battle on the 9th
by the troops under Gen Banks.
The rebel reports that the gunboa
Benton or Essex had been sunk, ar
without foundation. Tho entire flee
!, was in perfect safety on the 18th hayin
received little damage from the enemy i,
it's various skirmishes. 70. q. f.