Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-03-09
THE REPULsE IN FLORIDA.

ahead. The residents predicted retreat
if our men advanced. Notwithstanding
this our forces were led into "a trap. The
rebels planned the whole ambuseade with
Ingenuity, while General Seymour pushed
forward with Il cruel folly The Tribune
correspondent says;
The position chosen by the rebels for
our troops to occupy, and which they did
occupy during the temporary exigencies
of the occasion, was between two swamps;
that one in our front prevented a charge
upon the rebels front-that one behind
was to impede our retreat. The railroad
could only be reached by going up to the
waist in water, or by an immense detour.
To fall away from the railroad was 10 cut
I ourselves off from our reserve, which
were coming up on the left Of the track,
and 10 endanger the safety of our train,
which, also, was near the reserve. Moth
ing could have been better planned or
more civilly acquiesced in than was this
whole scheme. General Seymour accept
ed the issue just as 1t stood, pushed his
guns into position upon low ground about
so yards from the nearest rebel battery,
and saw his gunners and their horses shot
down with unmatched equanimity.
Thereupon followed Il terrific storm OF
bullets. The Herald correspondent says:
The enemy advanced from their posi-
ton which was protected on either flank
by a cypress swamp and strengthened by
earthworks and three batteries of artille-
ry, and pushed down towards our line
They were in great force, numbering not
less than ten thousand men, with regi-
ment of cavalry on either flank, and ap-
parently flushed with the hope OF victory
Borton's brigade and the artillery, with
the Eighth United States (colored) troops,
received them with a terrible fire, and
checked fora time their progress. Their
lines were depleted and swept down
Flag after flag would drop, but again ap
pear, and the thinned lines would close
up calmly and quickly, and pour into our
lines their terrific fire. The artillery was
in constant play on both sides, being
moved here and there, as the necessities
of the battle required Our losses were
quite severe during this terrible conflict
Colonel Fribley, of the Eighth United
States lcolored), being killed shortly after
he had got his men in line, and Colonels
Sammons and Moore being wounded.
Three different positions were taken by
our forces but on each occasion they were
overwhelmed by numbers. At sunset the
battle closed after contest of three hours.
The retreat then began and was conduct
ed orderly and leisurely. There was no
confusion, no panic. The Times cores
pondent speaks thus of
oUR Loss.
To estimate our loss is indeed an nm
pleasant task, but, nevertheless, one which
must be performed in giving the record of
the days events. In killed, wounded, and
missing, give the number one thousand
two hundred. All our killed and the Sc
yerely wounded, that is, those who were
unable to walk from the field unassisted.
fell into the hands of the enemy. Last
night, at twelve o'clock. about FIVE hun
dred of the wounded had been conveyed
to Jacksonville. Their names are en-
braced in the list of casualties which
present in another portion of this letter.
AT that time about two hundred wounded
were on the way, but did not reach Jack
Sonville in season for me 10 get their
names so as TO send on by this mail The
surgeons estimate three hundred wound
ed to have been left on the field. The
proportion OF two hundred killed to one
thousand wounded is usually allowed
This would make the aggregate of twelve
hundred.
We also left on the field FIVE guns, and
not small number of small arms. The
road from Barber's to Baldwin was strewn
with guns. knapsacks and blankets.
TuF Pxpuv'S roc,
II is customary to make the enemy's
list of casualties equal to that
of our own. In this instance believe ]
can follow the rule and not vary far from
the truth. When we consider that the
enemy had but four or five, and we six
teen pieces of artillery, in position, it is
not difficult TO believe we inflicted upon
him quite as much injury as he upon US
The TACT that he did not follow rapidly is
significant OF the immense damage he
sustained.
Our killed and severely wounded were
left in the hands of the enemy. The re-
mainder were taken to Jacksonville.
All the army correspondents speak in
glowing terms of the GOODNESS and brave
ry of the colored troops.
The 54th Massachusetts,, lst North Car
olina, 8th United States-all colored
troops, exhibited the most indomitable
pluck.
The whole fight was hotly contested,
foot by foot. Our soldiers exhibited mag
niticent courage, and if they had not
been overwhelmed by numbers, would
have gained the day.
Whoever is responsible, and it seems
that General Seymour is the man, should
be held to the most rigid accountability.
Another correspondent says:
Our present position is in front of Jack
son, six or eight miles from that place.
The men are at work night and day
erecting and completing Notifications
and all other necessary measures have
been taken to resist the aggressive move
ments of the enemy.
Reinforcements are fastening forward,
and no apprehensions need by felt as to
the ability of our troops, not only to hold
their ground, but TO administer 10 the
rebels the severest thrashing they have
yet suffered, should they open an attack.
The repulse given our troops at Olustee
does not in the least dispirit them. They
ask to be.led again to meet the enemy,
and pledge all that is good and holy TO
annihilate the foe or sacrifice their lives
instead.
The public may rely upon it, General
Gilmore has not the least intention to
abandon the Florida enterprise. He will
certainly do what he sets out to accom-
plish, no matter how numerous or stu
pendous the obstacles against which he
has to contend.
General Seymour is with his command
in front of Jacksonville.
ST. PAUL's PEksoN.-How little stress is
often laid on the external appearance!-
The Prince of Apostles seems TO hint con-