The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-04-01
Fight at Paducah.
CAIRO, March Q

The report circulated here this morn
ing that the rebels under Forrest attacked
Paducab, Kentucky, fifty miles above
here, yesterday, and burned par, Of The
town, but, as the telegraphic commuui-
cation is cut of, no authentic communi-
cation could be obtained.
The steamer Julian from Nashville,
which passed Psducah at FIVE O'Clock
this morning, and the Joseph B%earce,
which passed two hours later, bring the
following account of affairs: Forrest, with
On estimated force Of 5000. captured
the place at two o'clock yesterday alter
noon, sacked and fred the city.
CAIRO, March 2s.
Forrest had about 7 1000 men in tho at
tack on Paducab. HIS limo of battle was
two and Shalf milos long. The fight lasted
all tho afternoon. Four assaults were made
on the fort en- masso, each of which was re-.
pulsed with great loss to tho rebels. The
gunboats fired six hundred rounds. Alarge
portion of tho town is in ruins. Thereb-
els plundered stores and carried off horses.
During the fight. forty convalesconts in
wv nOSpitui Wo'o Chp'uIcu' io''tet ocht
a flag of truce to exchange prisoners, but
Colonel Hicks declined.
Three hundred rebel dead lio 10 front OF
our forts.
Generals Harris and Burbridgo wore with
the rebels.
/, Boats from Paducah at noon yesterday,
report all QUOT, and the citizens returning
p to the town. Several women were killed
during tho fight.
Our loss was II killed and As wounded
the number of prisoners has not been ssccr-
e tanned.
Out of 1900 votes cast at the recent
elections in Arkansas, only 200 we're against
{ a new Constitution.
The Rosita and Pawpaw, iron c'ads, were
n the guuboats which participated in the ro
cent fight at Paducah, opening fire stimuli
a tanoously with the fort on tho encmy's ad
-e vance into tho city, and rendered %invalua
lie BILE assistance through the entire engage
o ment.
After boing once r~cpulscd in bis assault
on tho fort, Forrest sont a communicable
to Colonel Hicks, demanding the surrende
Of the fort, troops and public stores, prom
,e ising that, if his demands were compiled
with, our troops should be treated as pris
is onors of war, but. If not, and lie wa com
in pellcd to storm tho fort, they might expec
d. no quarter.
Colonel Hicks replied that he was place
e, there to defend tho fort, which he shout
do, and p%eremptorily declined to surrender
The enemy then made q second and thir
assault. on the works, but were repulse
each time with a heavy loss. The rebol
n. then broke limos, formed in squads, aud &C
I'd cupied the houses, from which they kept u
Of a Are till late in tho evening. when the
n were dislodged by our artillery, and the
It's were Withdrawn.
Oh On his way into the city the enony fired III
Railroad depot which wns consumed, an
,m towards evening burned the qutttermaster
io building. .
The steamer Dacotah, not Arizona, is o
n. the marine railway, and was %plunderod {
to all her stores and immense amounts
er goods, and all tho horses they could find.
lief Some merchant Iosttrom $a5 900 to %55
M 900 worth of property. .
Early the next morning tho robols sgai
appeared, when Colonel Hicks burned a
=, tho houses within muskot range, but Il
- enemy made no advance, and, after akin
in for an exchange of prisoners. which was d.
he MED, thoy returned in the direction
tn Columbus.
of Toward the end OF tho battle 10 was di
covered that. the ammunition was near
IN, exhausted, whom Colonel Hicks gave orde
raj that, should it give out, tho fort should
defended with tho bayonet as long as a MT
~ remained alive, which was received with
hearty cheers by all tho troops.
The negroes, numbering 220, fought wi
ent great gallantry.
lists All quiet at Paducah yesterday.
eat Our forces arc busily engaged bury;
md the dead.
The enemy had six small cannon. Abo
my fifty buildings were burned, among the
ev- the hospitals, gas works, some of tho fin,
ATE residences. tho city custom house and pc
nay Office. The Continental Hotel was not
jured.
Our troops engaged were tho 40th !
nois, and a battalion OF negroes.
'or Capture Of Fort De Russey.
o.. Fort DE RussEY. RED RIVER. La. I
oCh At..oh I r al. E.ypn Murch ~ {