New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-22

hundred yards 10 the rear The disposition Of his men
was such az 10 conceal from sight the advanced stns-
ton Of his TANKS and at the time deceive rs II
his numerical strength by having only his center In
view. The ruse successful. Completely mised as
the enemy actual position and re strength, Emerson
dismOunted portion Of his command and them moving
forward with his entire division, made spirited and
general onset The resistance met with amounted
70 conclusive evidence that were encOnnteriDg su
peFiur force and the ygor with which the enemy en-
gagged US threw line into confusion, though
not enough to compel retreat had 1t not become papi-
bic that the cavalry would have to fall back and await
the coming Of the infantry before anything could be
effected. retreat was therefore ordered.
In the time, during the attack the enemy's two
adv anced fanks gradually drawn nearer together
threatening 70 encrce our entire force Ills move
not detected moment too soon to prevent iis
successful execution until calling hre was opened
upon from both sides. rapid retreat now becime
imperative necessity, for the exposure by the enemy
OF his strength was convincing that he as not only
three TO stronger than tie force with which We nd
been engaging him. but Tar Outnumbered our entire
army. Grirson therefore determined to fall back to
better position and wait for the Infantry. from which ne
was separated 10y Old Town Greek, stream that coud
be crossed at but one place. The great danger pow
that the pursuing enemy might press our rereating
column closely as 70 cause rush at this cfossing
which event could ouy result In the alms entire ahn'
hilation of cnvalyy. Being nuincumbered. however
tho retreat Was conduc'"d rapidly, but with great
stendigess and the entire command was Withdrawn ~
the west side NJ Old Town Creek and again thrown IN
Position await the appe Of the enemy on one
side and the arrival Of infantry rsenforcements on the
other.
ord Town Creek TO the banks Of which the scene Of
hattie was now shifted at the foot of elevated
district VI country TO the contour OF which hugs with
unvarying precision. The bank the enst side is
efore from ten 10 twenty feet higher than thSt on
the west. II On the west side that Grcrson formed
aud waited for the enemy the intervening stream as
saring him that he need not fear To be again over
whelmed. The position was that far good. but the
sequel will show II proved 10 he dsastrousiy disad
vantgeous ono in other respects
To understand the reatve position OF te two forces
let the render stand several paces back from second
window and observe some person on the stieet
below. He will & EN- discover that be can 80 place
himself by approaching NJ Withdrawing nom the
window that while the whole figure Of the person la
the street be by him. his own person Is not
exposed below the eyes-a trhng fact In tsr but OF
vast importance when men are making targets OF each
other. ..
Grerson had time to play in getting his men In
line for the enemy was in position on the eastern side
Of the stream almost he the west and
tie action nj once became general Having the ad.
vantage IN numbers and position, the ehemy contentd
himself with attempting t0 force MS "a rcrrat before bis
heavy fire. Oefrc making any effort 70 cross over The
firing OF the previous engagement near Guniown had
been heard BY the main body, and the tnhDtiy vas az
once urged forward. and at this STAGE vt the battle
McMihns brigade arrived, formed and went gallaIty
INFO the fight The full artillery strength Of both
armies brought IN play. and the roar OF battle
nBbrosen for more Than an hour now breaking out
IN laundering crashes for few minutes ana then dying
away into a few scattering shots 10 be followed by
another cEash and another lu alternately ~ the men
were Unanswered about the field. There was No chance
or occasion 4 II maneuyering The c0ntendnR armies
were f,irly confronted The enemy could certainly not
have bet,ered his admirable position while We could
gain no advantage the Rebels by changing our
own. 49, 80
But IL soon became evident that while the fire Of the
Rebels wac rapidly thinning our ranks our own fire,
"a ndusirousy II was delivered was having no tell
ing effect upon the enemy. conceded as his men were
anst entirely by TIE natural advantage Of their posi-
ton IL was plain that advantage Was TO be gained
b. further fighting on that ground orr dead and
III have been marked by them uone after those yet
unhuit had ben withdrawn. And the humber was
rapidly Increasing The Rebe! sharpshoetels had
crw ed ~ to the edge OF the high bank mentioned be-
fore and every nf their shots took fleet T1erc
was also a possibility that the enemy might detach
part Of bis superio, force and attack our rear
The TAIN 9! neal, 10 wagons was iired about and
pat 10 notion. and soon de they acre well on the
way our ruups rapidly withdrawn and started on
the retreat toward the little town Of Ripley. imme
diatey tue enemy started 10 pursuit ana eontiuuai
ski ish kept up for nearly " lles when the re-
treating column came upon TIE po"leious wagon tram
swalap through Which the road here passes Il
Al his polht ensued a Of csalusion seldom il
ever cqaled our men were again Drought IN iIne Tor
tie pa, ss II holding tie Rebels in cneck untl the
teams cnld be got out vi the way. But tie formation
was hardly competed before terrific onslaught upon
oui front and both HANKS swept our hne away almost
before any resistance could bs offered and amid the
clash Of arms the discharge Of mussetiy tue shouts of
the conbal ants and The loud curses and Impressions
al uIc.ht,lChtn ttanrltIs mo were Ntlil tn
de.yorn 10 urge their teams through the mire, the
r,nt commenced. All Organization las forgotten. III
ls the two negro regiments excepted and Ia th.ir
credit BE- II sad they held the ground aud fought Ike
devils until literally pushed along by the surge OF the
now almost unfortunately mixed mass, pursued and
parsu,Is Ii be, Dad doubt thai tue raln must
a INFO the enemys hands Unless destroyed and orders
we're issued 20 cut the animals lOVse and burn tue
yasons Notwithstanding We were 80 sorey pressed, |
this order executed, and the consequent ascunua
ton oI debris delay Cd l pursuit for - mucn US an
hour - .., l., |
Again the remnants Of our column were started In
retreat leaving behind fourteen cannon, which were
.uked and abandoned. about l,oOo prisoners ana as
r,aLy dead and wounded. Night was rapidly coming
on but ugr alrpaGyOyertaked mea darea not Up un'
nj fhcy had made point - niles from TIC ne!d of toe
upcnag night and here. throwing themselves upon the
ground toy found relief from the bardss OF The day
m sleep The next aay they were attacked again by
The kebels but being upon equal grounds the enemy
va. handsomely rrpused but without any considerable
los. oa either side After this nothing occurred be
vrd uu exchange VI shots between our rear
and the Reoci ADVANCE until our arrival at CoilicrVie
an lie IAN placed Us beyond further successful attack
Yesterday and today squads Of straggies are con.
tlngay arriving auu IL Ii t.ousn' '' ou' "So VI iAoH
Will tai short " 2OvO .,,
Thus ends one Of those strange and unacooun.able |
enis,des in war which occasionally starte tia nation. |
MI A. much On account OF the disaster a. our arms as
,e .udrpess with which they flash up before US. aud
the fact tEat Us time and pace they ure entirely IN
A list OF casualties viii reach you by telegraph.