Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-23
anlnr Rcnrr Il Anil 11.

Me leIb h8tchltocne6 on the morning VI /
April 9th, and marched until nearly dark, |
when we camped in pine forest. On the
morning Of the 7th we started again, and
reached the town Of Pleasant Hill about
FIVE o'clock. This was the first open piece
OF country that we had found since we
left Natehitoohes, and that was only mile
square. The cavalry hsd been in brisk
skiTmish during the afternoon About
fifty wounded men were brought in and
hospital was established.
At tive o'clock on the morning Of the
9Th, the 1st brigade Of eur division-com-
posed of the 18Th Kentucky, 77th Illinois,
23d Wisconsin and the 9th Indiana, num-
bering about 1900 men-wss started in
advance, and by daylight commenced skir-
mishing with the enemy, We-(the Chs
oBgo Mercantile Bsttery)-started st day
light with the ID brigade and the Sd di-
yisiOn. numbering about $500 or 5000
men, and marched through dense timber
until three o'clock in the afternoon, when
we were ordered to the front. To get to
where the fighting was in progress, we had
to pass the whole train Of Lees cavalry
division, numbering 800 wagons; and as
there was only one road through the tim
Der they were pulled up to our side, and
we went by them on gsllop, with our
guns. csissoBs, battery wagon and forge.
We had just passed the train, when we
came to sn opening about mile square,
and on the opposite side we're onr men en-
gagged in skirmishing.
By this time our whole division was in
action, and brigade Of the Sd division.
We crossed the field, took 9 position near
the edge of the opposite woods, and had
lust got in battery when we heard a terri
bic veil and saw 8 line Of rebels, unbrok-
en-, charging on our exhausted men, who
had been skirmishing all day and had on
ly few rounds Of ammunition left.
Then came g Withering volley Of mus.
kerry, and then our poor boys commenced
q retreat but not in order, for there were
not enough men to form line. We waited
a few moments, until our men had passed
us, and commenced firing on the rebel
lines; but could not stop their progress,
and We soon received orders from Colonel
Ian drum to timber up and leave If We eV-
or expected to get our guns of. Two Of
our horses had been shot, but we forced
them across the field and took up another
position in tie edge Of the timber, firing
again on the rebel lines, which we could
see, with great distinctness, crossing the
field on the double quick.
. Here General Ransom was shot in the
knee and WAS obliged to leave the field.
Lieutenant Throop was felled by the wind
age Of a shell which grazed his abdomen.
General Banks was here, trying to rally
the cavalry, which was in great disorder.
The buglers sounded the rally-s sound
that shall never fOrget-snd new line
was formed; but in few moments both
our fanks were turned, and We were OBJ
lised to timber IN and retire short dist
ance. Here another line was formed and
few more shots delivered.
By this time the rebels were on both Of
our TANKS and firing scross S in every di-
rection. We got our pieces into the road
and began to retreat, when q scene Of great
confusion ensued. In the road Was that
whole cavalry train, faced TO the rear, and
each man trying to escape on his own
hook, and the road 60 blocked up that it
was an impossibility for any thing to move.
Our gun was next to the rear piece, and
fred one Of the last shots that were fred
by the artillery. When the rebels got
within two rods Of US, we received orders
to cut the traces and escape if possible.
Mr.. Dyer, our gunner, went to his timber,
took out file and hammer, Ond when
the rebels had already reached the gun
behind ours, he commenced spiking his
gun, and was captured at his post.
Whether he was wounded or not, cannot
tell.
now began to think Of my own safety,
and ran down the road short distance;
and then struck into the woods until was
exhausted, when 1 caught 8 mule. l
mounted him, but was immediately dis
mounted by the fractions animal. Soon
after, found another mule, mounted him,
and was soon out Of danger, behind the
18th Army Corps.
While our division wss fighting, the 18th
| Army Corps went into camp about eight
miles 10 our rear, and were afterwards, but
too late, brought up to our succor.
OF our whole division, numbering 5000
men, but !, 900 are left TO tell Of the fear
ful odds against which they contended.
Two regiments Of our division were con-
/ solidated, and had in all 140 men and sew
en- officers. Of the regimentsl officers, the
highest in rank remaining is Captain.
In our battery twenty-five men are miss
ing, two are with US, wounded, and only
one eoficeF-Lieutenant Roe-is left Cap
tain White, Leutenants Cone, Throop,and
Barr, are all captured. Not one Of our
boys showed any coWsrdice, but stood by
their guns until the last and when left
them, rebels on both sides Of the woods
we're calling on us, with frightful oaths, to
halt, but was determined to escape, if
possible, and succeeded by the favor Of
gracious Providence, for surely only
charmed life could have Withstood the
| shower of bullets with which We we're sur
rounded at all times.
The 18th Corps checked the rebels and
held them for about twenty-five minutes,
when they were forced to retire which
they did, slowly, and as night came on the
bloody conflict ended.
The next morning, the 9th, General A.
J.Smith came up with his command, and
we we're ordered to accompany our wag-
ons, which comprised all that we had left,
and they were ordered to come here ss
quick rs possible.
The town we sre now in is four miles
from Natchitoches, on the Red River. The
fight took place four miles from the town
Of Mansfield, De Soto parish, Louisiana.
On the 9th General A. J. Smith, who
Immediately relieved General Franklin,
whipped the rebels badly and recaptured
twelve guns and took 800 prisoners. This
is the latest news that have from the
front.
The Electoral College
Hinder the new apportionment, the fol