Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-04-27
WA 2 ne w 5
The Battles in Western Louis;au,

recent battles IN Louisiana. as publish
ed in the Era of the 18th, and adds
that in his opinion if any advantage
has been gained the Union forces have
the best of it:
We received, this morning, intelIi-
gence from our army in Western
Louisiana of the highest Importance.
4 fercely contested battle, oftwo days
duration, has been fought, in which
the enemy were badly whipped, and
driYen back after the most stubborn
and desperate resistance:
On Friday, April 8th, Gen. Lees
Cavalry, 5000 men, while advancing
towards Mansfield, was suddenly at
tackled, by q superior force Of the
enemy under Poiignac, Dick Taylor.
Green and Kirby Smith, mum bering
some 10000 men, who were concealed
in ambush
i desperate encounter ensued, artil
lery being used on both sides. The
rebels were supported with a strong
force Of infantry, while Gen. Lee was
not. A brigade Of the 18th Army
Corps was sent for, but failed to check
the rebels from pressing our lines.
Another Division was sent for and
this too was unable to cope against
such overwhelming numbers.
Finally the balance of the 18th Corps.
under Gen. RamsOn was sent TO the
assistance of the Union forces, but af-
ter contest almost unparalleled for
daring and bravery, our forces were
compelled to fall back.
The rebels pressed on and captured
two or three ofour batteries, but these
were retaken by gallant charge Of
the infantry.
Our troops continued to fall back in
good order, fighting gallantly, until
the 18th Army Corps, which had been
hurried to the front, arrived on the
ground. These fresh troops delivered
six or eight we'll directed vollevs into
the ranks Of the advancing enemy.
Not prepared to receive such a shock.
the enemy in turn broke. and fed.
leaving in our hands 700 prisoners and
six pieces of artillery.
Our troops having taken I'D posi-
tiOn at Pleasant Hill, were attacked
on Saturday afternoon at t o'clock.
Gen. Banks commanded in person,
and was seen everywhere in the thick
est Of the fight, inspiring the troops
with his presence throughout the en-
tire engagement.
The battle was fought in an open
plain, and resulted in complete victo
ry for the Union arms.
Tho 10Th 'prsYoS yr-aS +Lnr,r-,,
and the 18th was massed under its
brave and experienced commander
Gen. Smith.
The enemy came on impetuouslv. !
and was received by the 18th. which |
steadily fell back fighting, until it had |
retired upon the 10th. He was then
charged, and hot and desperate en- |
counter ensued. our troops coming ont
victorious and enemy beingrepulsed /
at every point.
He rallied, however, and about night |
fall made a last and most desperate eff. |
fort to retrieve the day. 4 terrible
conflict followed, in which both sides !
displayed the utmost valor and daring; |
but the banner of the Union was
everywhere victorious; the rebels were |
driven in complete panic four miles. |
leaving his dead and wounded on the |
field
We have no means Of ascertaining
accurately the losses on either side, |
The rebels suffered severely on the |
first day and terribly on the second. |
Among his killed 1--WE believe on Fri
day. was Gen. Nouton, an officer well |
known in this city, and conspicuous in
the rebel army last year.
Our main loss was sustained bv the
18th Army Corps on Saturday. The
casualties in killed, wounded and miss
ing exceed fifteen thousand.
Another account of this battle, clo-
ses as follows:
Now cane the grand coup de main.
The 10Th, on arriving at the top ofthe
hill, suddenly filed over the hill, and
passed through the lines of Gen. Smith.
We must here mention that the rebels
were now but in two lines of battle.
the first haYing been almost entirely |
annihilated by Gen. Emory. what re
mained having been forced back into
the second line. But these two lines
came on uxuItant and sure Of victory.
The irst passed the knoll. and. all
needless of the long line of cannons
and crouching forms Of as brave men |
as ever trod mother earth, passed on.
The second line appeared on the crest,
and the death signal was sounded. |
Words cannot describe the awful eff
fects Of this discharge Seven thou
sand rifles, and several batteries of
artillery loaded to the muzzle with |
grape and canister, were fired stimuli |
taneously, and the whole centre of the |
rebel line was crnshnd dar... - |