The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-05-25
From the Army of the Pen.
insula.

HIS
New YORK, May 19.-The Herald's
correspondent with Butler gives detail
ed account of Beauregard's concentrated
attack on our forces at Palmer Creek on
May 10th.
The entire length of the rebel lines was
opened with artillery
The shells poured upon our position in
showers.
A dense fog enveloped the country at
the time and both fires were wrapped in a
misty vail.
This was the condition of affairs, when
the rebels massing their troops, took our
right under Gen. Hickman, and envelep-
ed its flank and took it in reverse.
Gen. Heckman's brigade of the 18th
corps, holding the right, doubled UP and
was forced back on the next brigade which
was also thrown into some confusion.
Our men did not observe the rebels un-
til they succeeded in passing column be-
tween Heckman's right and the river, and
then taking him in the front and rear
crushed him between the columns, and for
the time created some confusion.
Hickman made a gallant fight as long
as he could. but the enemy came upon
/ him so suddenly and in such overwhelm
ing numbers that su cessful resistance
was quite impossible in the darkness and
confusion. Some of the brigade was cap.
tured after this operation, having forced
back the right. ~
A heavy attack was mLde on the entire
,f No "a, fafn
the 10th corps. line, and the entire right
was forced back some distance, after scv
eral hours of q most severe and aanguinary
struggle.
The battle ragged with unexampled fury
until nearly II o'clock. The rebels threw
heavy masses upon our lines, and finally
succeeded in forcing ourlines back nearl,
quarter of mile. Our men Tough
stubbornly with but few exceptions, ant
resisted every step, and repeatedly checked
! the rebel advance, with terrible slaughter
but not without some loss on our side
The enemy numbered not lesstban 10 600
and pushed into the murderous fire, will
recklessness and stubbornneSs, rarely seel
In an attack.
On our right we lost gun or two ant
it is said that some light pieces were ia
ken, but it was difficult to ascertain tn,
number, probably four will cover our los'
of light pieces. Finally, after forcing
back the 18th corps, from its position
and regaining their position of the frs
line of intrenchments. they massed thcil
forces on the 10th corps, to drive it back
They first hurled their column upor
Turner's division, which held the righ
of the corps line, and joining with tht
10th corps. They formed in beautiful
manner, and moved steaaily on, Barton''
brigade on the right, Turner'S division
advancing as on parade, and not firins
single shot, but waiting unJii they hat
reached good distance, and effective
range, when the brigade poured into then
lines such terrible fire that the lin,
melting away, and the thi:ined and bro
ken liue, after vainly endeavoring to ad
vance, through the storm o. bullets, he,
with terrible loss to the woods. The real
volleys were continuous aud heavy. al
musketry of brigade could well he, an,
such as nothing could stand against. Th,
rebels were scattered like chaH, and brok,
for the woods in disorganized mass
under their friendly cover. After grea
exertion their line of attack Was agail
formed, and again the brigade advanced
in splendid style, against our lines, anc
again did they receive terrible fire, anc
pushed steadily on until nearly one fourtl
of them lay killed or wounded on tht
field, when they broke and rushed quick
ly to the cover of the woods. Our boys
gave them hearty cheers, and sent vol
ley after them, which told on them very
much. After being twice blocdiiy re
pulsed, at this point, they moved further
to our left and turned their column upon
! Col. Hawley's brigade, and Gen. Ferry,
division. They come up in the satne
s,e dy and confident manner, but were
received by more rapid and equally
deadly FIRE, BY Gen. Turner'S men, which
caused them to run to the woods aeceler,
atee in flight by the music of the bullets
about them. They were de ermined
however, to break our line and force il
from its position, cost what it would
They formed again and strengthened by
reinforcements, ch raed again, and after
ten minutes work were disastroasly re.
pulsed and driven back at all points.
This ended any serious effort on theil
part to force our position, leaving theil
dead and wounded to the number ol
1000 on the field.
/ +