, 1864-04-26
.Gblca9o Qrtbnne.
TUESDAY, April. a3. 1864,


AA1h xaHD A1SER HATTLES.
Tue Inter and fuller accounts from the
battles In Northwestern Louisiana do not
materially change our former estimate Of
Them, 50 far as the main results are conceFn-
ed. They prove, however, to have been
more serious than at first reported Our
losses, mainly in prisoners, aFo now put as
high rs 4, 900 to 5000, With e guns, train OF
wagons, and the various smaller debris OF
arms, ambplxnees, animals, ate. Against
these we hare q few hundred prisoners, three
or four guns, md little else, except the losses
inflicted nron the enemy In killed and
wounded; (which ou1 claim is, that It was
large; and from the circumstances as given,
the claim may be allowed ns just.
It would seem also, that our defeat on the
9Th Inst, though quite us complete Al before
stated, whe finally checked at dark by the
stubborn fighting OF Gen. Emery and the 10Th
Corps; allowing thus our troops to be drawn
OF In Rafety for the next days work.
The battle, too. on the pth is apparently
much more satisfactory thap was feared.
The enemy were thoroughly repulssd and
most signally punished. The history of the
war scarcely records more terrific admins
tsation of vengeance tlnn WINS given at Plea.
amt Hill under Cen Smith, when thousand
men were swept from their feet by single
vol1ey. AS the enemy were then charged,
and chased some three or four miles without
venturing to make stand, the tlnal victory
remalne with us; but with very serious draw
backs.
The disorder Of our cavalry forces, and the
thorough punishment Of the day before,
doilcd any suitable following up OF the ylcto-
r. and give us only mcagre rewards in pris-
oners and captured guns and material The
distance, too. Of the retrat-some fifteen
mfles-left the battle field Of the day before,
the 8th, In possession Of tho enemy; with all
its wreck ofspou and wounded; and thus
the latter arc relinquishcd to the tender mer-
cies Of the rebels, to suffer al that want of
care and positive barbarity which belong to
their treatment Of prisoners.
In summing mp, the advantages are larcely
with the rebels. They gain much In the way
Of material, and which is Of considerable i'm
portapce to them west Of the Mississippi,
They gain in prestige; for their success on
the stl YVES more showy, and gives better
ground Of bragging than ours OF the 9th.
And finally, they have efieotually broken up
the Red River expedition, 90 far as Banks is
concerned; and II their rcpnlse OF him does
not cndauger also Stccle's command, it will
be matter ofprofound congratulation. Banks
may talk p1ucky about advancing and taking |
Shreveport Jet; but without some new move
upon the clcss board not now visible, he will |
return to New Orleans in bcdraggled feathers.
As to the blame Of blundeeing, 1t does not
now appear tl1ut Stone had anything to do
with it. II any blame is attached to it, there
eeems to be but one head and pair Of shoulders
for it to rest upon. That there Was want
Of caution seems 10 admit Of no doubt When
euch men as Ransom, who is brave as lion,
and Vho never kept out OF fight moment
yet, when there Vas good chance to 70 in
when such as he suggest doubts and caution,
generals with lets experience, though supe-
1ior in command, Will do well to pay him ]
come attention.
There seems to have been no want of good |
conduct On the field after tue battle began
The great blunder' consisted in bringing On
the fight with the advance guu-d while the
bulk Of tie army were out Of supporting dis
tance. We fonght in dstachments; the enemy
in solid mass. We failed in gcneralship. Our
men did their duty nobly. There WIS terrific
fighting and special instances Of good gen
had there been half a chance,
it is evident we should not be obliged to re-
port else than splendid victory. As it is,
he rebellion wfn make great account Of it,
Ind viii use 1t to advantage in bolstering up
their cause little longer. We sorrow
over the brave men who have gone down to
risc no more, and scarcely less over those
Who must 1anguish out their lives wounded