The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-06
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT

earth, pressed on. The second line appeared
on the crest, and the death signal was sounded
Words cannot describe the awful effect of this
dlscharge Seven thousand rifles and several
batteries of artillery, each gun loaded to the
muzzle with grape and canister, were fired
simultaneously, aud the whole center of the
rebel line was crushed down as field of ripe
wheat through which tornado had passed. 1t
Is estimated that one thousand men were hur-
rled into eternity or frightfully mangled by this
one discharge
No time was given them to recover their good or
Ger but Cen Smith ordered charge, and his men
dashed rapidly forward the boys of the 18th joining
in. The rebels fought DO dly and desperately back
to the timber, on reaching which large portion
broke and fled, fully two thousand throwing aside
their arms. In this charge TaylOrs battery was re-
taken, as were also two of the guns Of Minis battery
the Parrott gun taken from at Carbon Crow last
1a, and one or two others belonging to the rebels
ore of which considerably shattered besides I0O
prisoners A pursuit and desultory fight was kept up
of battle
And thus ended the fearful and bloody struggle for
Inc control OF Western Louisiana.
On the following day the commanding General
thought it advisable to fall back to Grand Ecore
where supplies can reach him by water.
LOSSES.
The New Orleans papers do not state the loss sus
tanned on either side; but from other sources we
learn that the Federal loss in the three days battles
cannot be less than 5000 men, viz, 700 killed, 800
who fell into the hands of the enemy. -Four steam
boat loads of wounded men came down Red River
on the 18th inst Besides these casualties the army
lost twenty pieces of artillery and from 300 TO s,
baggage wagons and their contents, consisting of
munitions, clothing, &c.
The rebel loss in killed and wounded is fully equal
TO ours but in prisoners only 500 men; also. three
or iour pieces of cannon The New Orleans papers
put the best face the disaster possible and cover
up the bunder and derelicton of Banks artfuly; but
murder will out.
INCIDENTS OF yHE battle
Gen. RANSOM when wounded directing the
firing OF the Chicago battery, standing among the
men, and he had scarcely been removed when the
rebels We're in possession OF the spot which he fell
among the rebels taken are three Lieutenant Colo
nes ana six Majors.
Col. Brisbin, of Gen. Lees staff, had his horses
head blown off by "a shell while riding across the
ned, ard would have been taken had not some of
the men pulled him out He succeeded in capturing
rebel horse and in leaving the field on its back
Col Brlsbin lost in lis trunk in the baggage train
the sash taken from Gen. Rarksdale on the field at
Gettysburg which had been mace present 10 him.
and General Vilepigue's sabre taken from him in
Virginia.
Col. Robinson, while defending the wagon train
on the first Gay, was shot in the hip but refused to
leave the field for two hours after 1t was supposed
he would lose his leg in consequence hut the sur
geOns now think it can be saved.
Owing to some Misunderstanding between Cen
Emory and Cot. Benedict. the latter had been Laced
under arrest. but was released at his own request
previous to the last battle. In leading his men in
The last charge he fell dead, pierced by four balls