The Shasta courier., 1864-05-28
SHASTA COURIER
WAR NEWS

Pull supnlies-teour forces are kept up. There
willie no delay on account of Breckinrldge's
and other rebel forces having joined Lee. but
they are busy guarding his communications
Tribune's correspondent with Sigel esti-
mites loss of rebels in recent fight at 1000
men.
Special to Times dated Headquarters Army
of Potomac says: Struggle has this moment
began with skirmishing our right. We
fully expect great, bloody, and we trust, de-
cisive battle.
New York, 1Sth.-Herald correspondent
with Butler gives detailed accounts of Beau
regards attack on our forces at Palmers
creek The entire length of the rebel lines
opened with artillery. Shells pound upon
our position in showers A dense fog envel-
oped the country at the time, both armies
wrapped in misty vail. This was condition
of affairs when rebels. massing troops, at
tackled cur right under Hickman, envelopeJ
its flank and took it in reverse. After blow
was made with force, Hickman brigade of
18th corps on our right doubled up and was
thrown into some confusion. Our men did
not observe until then. a column passing be.
tween Gen. Hickman right and the river
Taking him in front and rear they crushed
him between the columns and for time crea-
ted some confusion. Hickman made gal
liant fight as long as he could, but the enemy
came up on him so suddenly AMI in such
overwhelming numbers that successful resis-
tance was impossible. Some of the brigade
were captured.
After having forced back the right,
heavy attack was made on entire line of
18th corps, with feint along front of 10th
corps, and entire right was forced back for
some distance, after several hours of most
severe and sanguinary struggle; battle rag
ed with unexampled fury Until nearly noon,
the rebels throwing heavy masses upon us,
finally forcing US back nearly one-fourth of
mile. Our men fought with stubbornness. and
repeatedly checked rebel advance with terri
BILE slaughter, but not without some loss on
our side; enemy numbered not less than
l5,0Oo, and rushed into our murderous fire
with a recklessness and steadness scarcely to
be believed; we lost four guns. Finally, after
forcing the 18th corps back from its position
and carrying portion of our first line of in
trenchments, the enemy masSed force on
flank, first hurting their column upon Turn
er's division, which held the right of 18th
corps. They moved steadiyon. Our men
did not fire a single shot, but waited until en-
emy reached effective range, when they
poured with terrific effect into rebel lines.
which melted away into thinned and broken
columns, and after vainly endeaToring to ad
vance, fled to the woods in t e rear With
great exertion line Of attack was again form
ed, and advanced in splendid style against
our lines. Again did they eceiye Il terrible
fire, but they pushed steadily on. till one
fourth of them were killed and wounded
when they broke and rushed quickly to COY
er of woods. After this bloody repulse. they
hurled column after column on Hawley's
brigade, of Perry's division. They came
up in the same confident manner but were
received by more rapid and equally deadly
fire by our forces. They then broke and ran
for the woods and were accelerated in their
flight by music of bullets. shot and she'll they
seemed determined, however, to break our
line, aud force it from Its position, cost what
it would. Reformed and strengthened by
reinforcements they again. after len minutes
got to work. and were precipta;eIy driven back
ut all points. Thus ended any serious efforts
on their part TO force our position, and leav,
ing their dead and wounded. to the number
of l.O0O ON field. they massed upon Smiths
position and attacked his left Gilmore i'm
mediately ordered Turner 10 attack enemv on
flank, and ordered Terry to support him
Turner's attack had hardly commenced be-
fore Gilmore was ordered by Gen Butler to
retire and strengthen Smith corps. by form
ing in his rear. Our troops fell back slowly
and in good order. repulsng every effort OF
rebels to quicken our movements. and max
ing stand at every favorable position until
enemy ceas ed to follow. and fell back to their
first line of intrenchments. The fighting,
which had been going along entire line now
ceased. At half past two, preparations were
made to withdraw our forces from the field,
add return to intrenchments. Artillery sent
to rear, except that employed to cover retreat
and guard the advance with the wounded -
Supply trains were despatched to the rear,
and finally entire army fell back. Enemy
not pursuing
Same COZ oirespondent saws of Kurtz raid
on Richmond and Danville road. that we
tore up several miles Of track and DESTROYED
the rails and blew up the iron bridge over
Appomattox River at Mattox station. Sher
idan's forces again started on raid around
Richmond 18th. Cavalry will keep the rail
road communications to Richmond, cut for
while.
Another Herald correspondent SAYS: But
ler's forces are safely intrenehed. and able
to withstand an attack from all the forces the
rebels can bring against them. The object
of Butle- IN making advance from City
Point and Bermuda Hundred. was to ere
ate diversion in favor of Grant. and he was
successful
New York, 19th, h,-Richmoud papers. MAY
10th, acknowledge that Lee met with de.
feat on Thursday, 18th. No particulars were
known. Papers add that Jeff Davis had
received dispatch from Lee which had been
kept secret. Gen. Kurtz' eavalary is now
moving on Roanoke Station. with intention
to destroy great iron bridge over Stanton
River. If successful, they will return by
City Point. and prevent any Efforts of rebels
to repair destroyed bridges on Petersburg
and Weldon Railroad
Cairo. lSth.-lt is reported that partial
blockade of Arkansas River. below Little
Rock. has been effected. Preparations e.
ing made to blockade White River. Also it
is believed that General Candy viii soon at
tend to these matters.
Bermuda Hundred, l6th.-Riehmond Ex-
aminer says: Enemy have concentrated in