The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-04-29
From Red River---ReSume of
Late Operations.
The News Of a Federal Victory
Confirmed.
THE WAR IN LOUISIANA.
A Resume Of Late Occurrences-..The
Federal Victory OF tho 9th
instant CONFIRMED, &c.

epecla oispatcn TO the Caicago Tribune.
OAIRo, April Give have perfectly re-
liable information to-day from Grand
EcOre, Louisiana, to the 18th.
The informant corrOborates in the main
the statements already published regarding
the lighting on the Sth and 9th instants,
and furnishes the following additional par
ticulars:
The first meeting of the enemy by our
cavalry in the advance upon Shreveport,
was on the 9th, when but a short distance
from NatchitOches, and they continued
skirmishing up to the 9th, when they were
fifteen miles beyond Pleasant Hill, and
about forty-ive from Shreveport. The re-
bells had posted themselves in force upon
both sides of the road our cavalry must
pursue. At noon there was heavy fight
ing. 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 ar
my corps were sent forward, one brigade
alta time, surprising that they would be
anpe to keep them back, but they were
insufficient. The fighting, which lasted
from half past four p. till dark, was
very heavy. We lost considerable, and
the enemy captured twelve guns, part of
the Mercantile Battery, of Chicago, and
an Indiana battery, and our wagon train.
This was about the result of the first day s
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, to reinforce and take COM
mand in person. The rebel advance was
checked. There was severe fighting on
about the same hours in the afternoon as
on the previous day, preceded by skir-
mishing in the fore part of the day. and
the result was our arms were triumphant,
the enemy being driven off the field in q
perfect rout. The heaviest fighting was
from 2. M. until dark when the rebels
we're in full retreat. Their loss is proba-
bly, as heavy if not heavier than ours. We
captured two guns and from 500 to 1000
prisoners on the second day. Our loss is
not exactly known, but is severe.
The country where the battle was fought
was covered with pine timber, utterly bar
rem, unproduotive, and no support could
be obtained for man or beast. Our men
started with only four days rat,ons and
lost the most Of that in the first day s
fighting, and the rebels endeavored to cut
off transports which were guarded by Ad
miral Porter's gunbcat feet. When on
the way down to Grand Ecore they were
attacked at every point by artillery and
infantry, and but for the gunboats must
have been fatal in tie extreme. Part of
the 18th corps was on transports, also
coming to Grand Ecore This was on the
18th and 18th inst. Gan Ransom was
wounded in the knee by muskct bullet.
Col. Dickey, of his staff, is reported killed
in the first days fighting. Our loss was
great in commissioned officers on the 9Th
end 9Th.
While Admiral Porter's gunboats we're
firing upon the rebels, spirited attack
upon the transports was CALAMITY repelled.
The rebel Gen. Green was instantly killed.
a shell taking off his head. Gems Parsons
and Morton are also reported killed during
the previous battle or the 9th, by the troops
under Gen Banks.
Gen. A. j.. Smiths command gained
great credit for their gallant conduct in
checking the advance, ard materially aid
ing n the defeat of the rebels.
On the second days fight the 10th is
also favorably spoken of.
The rebel reports that the gunboat
Benton Or Essex had been sunk, are with
oct foundation. Tie entire feet was in
perfect safety on the 18th, having received
little damage from the enemy in it's vari.
GUS skirmishes.