Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-05-18
Novel Battle Scene on the Red
RINRr

RepUIt 20 the Navy Department, dated
Grand Ecore, April 18th, gives the follow
ing account of novel fight between reb
el infantry and a United States gunboat.
he says
"It would be very difficult to describe
the return passage of the feet through
this narrow aud shaggy river As long
SIS our army could advance triumphantly
it was not so bad; but we had every rea-
son to suppose that our return would be
interrupted in every way, and at every
point, by the enemy's land forces; and
we were not disappointed. They COM
menced on us from the high banks from
a place called Conshatta, and kept up a
fire of musketry whenever an opportuni-
ty was offered them. By proper distri-
button ot the gunboais l had no trouble
in driving them away, though, from the
high banks, they could fire on our decks
almost with impunity. As we proceeded
down the river. they increased in num-
bers, and, as we made only thirty miles a
day, they could cross from point to point
and be ready to meet US on our arrival.
On the left bank of the river, a man by
the name of Harrison, with 800 cavalry
and four or five pieces of artillery, was
appointed TO follow us down and annoy
US. 1t was very fortunate for us that this
person and his command were lately Sc
verely handled by gunboat Is few
weeks ago, (which made them careful
about coming within range.
On the evening of the 18th, instant we
were attacked from the right bank of the
river by detachment of men of quite
another character. They were part of
the army which two or three days preVi-
Gus had gained success over our army,
and flushed with victory, or under the
excitement of liquor, they appeared sud
denly upon the right bank, and fearless
ly opened fire upon the 0sage Lieut..
Commander F. o. Selfridge, (iorn-clad)
she being hard aground at the time, with
transport Of the Blackhawk alongside
of her, towing her off The rebels open
ed fire with two thousand muskets, and
soon drove every one out of the Black
hav K to the safe casemates of the Moni-
tor. Lieutenant Bache had Just come,
from his vessel tthe lexington, and for
tunately was enabled 10 pull up to her
again, keeping close under the bank,
while the Usage opened destructive fire
on these poor. deluded wretches, who,
maddened by liquor and led on by their
officers, were vainly attempting to cap
ture an iron vessel.
am told that their hootings and act
ions battle descriptions. Force after
force seemed to be brought up to the
edge of the bank, where they confronted
the guns of the iron vessels, only to be
moved down by grape and canister. In
the meantime Lieut.. Bache had reached
the vessel, and, widening the distance be-
tween him and the Usage, he opened a
cross fire on the infuriated rebels, who
fought with such desperation aud courage
against certain destruction, that it could
only be accounted for in one way. Our
opinions were verified on inspection of
some of the slain, the men actually smell
ing of Louisiana rum. The affair lasted
nearly two hours before the rebels fed,
They brought up two pieces of artillery,
one of which was knocked over by the
Lexington's guns. The other they man
aged to carry on. The cross fire Of the
Lexington finally decided this curious
affair of fight between infantry and gun
boats. The rebels were moved down by
her canister, and finally retreated in as
quick haste as they had come to the at
tack, leaving the space of q mile covered
with dead and wounded, muskets and
knapsacks. A dying rebel informed our
men that Gen. Green had his head
blown off, which l do not vouch for as
true. If true, it is serious loss to the
rebels Night coming on, we had no
means of ascertaining the damage done
to the rebels. We were troubled no
more from the right bank of the river,
and party of 5000 men, who were march
ing to cut US off, were persuaded TO
change their minds after hearing of the
unfortunate termination of the first expe-
dition. That same night | ordered the
transports TO proceed, and having placed
the gunboats at a point where the rebels
had battery, all the transports were
passed safely, the rebels not firing a shot
in return to the many that were bursting
over the hills. The next morning, the
18th instant, l followed down myself, and
finding at Canette, six miles from Grand
Ecore by land, that they had got aground,
and would be some time getting through
proceeded down in this vessel to Grand
Ecore, and got General Banks to keep
the guerrillas away from the river. We
were fiered on, as usual, after we started
down, but when l had the troops sent up,
the transports came along without any
trouble.