The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-04-29
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

range, and, to use an expression OF one ol
the participants, "wo wero holding on by
the skin of our teeth only" IL was known
that Gen. Franklin's troops bad been sent
for. and anxious and wistful glances were sent
to the rear. Gen. Cameron. with his brig.
ade, camo up, going into action at once on
the right, where the battle waxed tho hot
test, creating the impression that the veter.
nus OF tho 10Th corps had arrived, and glad
and glorious shouts went up from our wca-
ried and desperately situated little band.
This belief was strengthened by the arrival
Of Gen. franklin, who dashed boldly into
the thickest Of the fight, cap in hand, cheer.
ing on his men. ''' ''"'
Gen. Banks, too, seemed ubiquitous, riding
wherever the men wavercd, and by personal
example inc,ted them to renewed deeds Of
daring and reckless valor. Coils. Clark and
Wilson, with other members Of his staff,
sabre in hand, mixed with tho soldiers, on
foot and on horseback, and checred and en-.
couraged them to continue tho unequal fight
But human beings could not longer with
stand the fierce and overpoweriug onslaught,
our men were bearing up against. Our linz
finally gave away at oil points, and then fol
back, 6erccly contesting the ground they
yielded unfortunately sad mishap befe
them at this time. A large and cumbersome
wagon train blockaded up the way, and thu
frightened horses dashed through tho infan
try lines creating momentary but unfortu'
nate confusion. This gave the rebels pos
session Of several pieces Of artillery.
Gen. Fnnklin was conspicuous during
this part of the day, cheering his men. Two
horses were killed under him. Capt. Chap.
man, of his staff, had both his feet taken Of
by round shot. Tho enemy followed oul
men step by step for three and hall miles
but he was advancing to meet terrible retri'
button. The 10Th Army Corps had been
ordered to stop advancing. and form Its line
of battle. The retreating Union troops passed
through this line and formed in the rear.
The rebels thinking they had repulsed our
whole army, dashed Immediately on, and
thought tho line. but half visible In the
woods before them. another feeble, but des-
perate stand of o few men.
Gen. Emory, commanding this force. con-
sisting of two full brigades, ordered fro to
DO reserved until the rebels were within shot
range, when from both infantry and artillery
posted thickly along his line, a storm Of iron
and lead was hurled on the foe, that literally
moved them down. The rebels halted In
amazcment, but still they fought bravely.
Volley after yollcy was discharged from each
side, full into the ranks of their opponents,
but neither gave signs of yielding, and night
charitably threw her mantle over the ghast-
" scene, and enforced cessation Of HOSTILE
ties. Two divisions, under Gen. A. I. Smith.
belonging to the 18th and 18th Army Corps,
had reached Pleasant Hill, and there halted.
Gen. Banks determined to withdraw his army
to that point, for tho sake of tho advanta-
geous post which no could occupy, knowing
the enemy would follow what they supposed
to DO dcmoralized army.
In accordance with this plan oil our men
were quietly withdrawn from the encmy's
front and junction formed at Pleasant Hill,
where tho result was confidently awaited.
So we'll was tho movement conducted, that
the rebels had not the slightest suspicion OF
what was going on.
THIRD DAYS rGtIT.
ATT o'clock Saturday morning the rebels
cavalry in front, endcayoring to
discover our position. Col. Gooding, with
his brigade Of Lees cavalry corps, was sent
out on the Shreveport road to meet the rebels
and draw them on. He had gone about
mile, when hc camo upon the rebel advance
Immediately ensued, and accord
ing to tho plan he slowly fell back. The
fight was very sharp between these cavalry
bodies, and Col. Gooding Lost nearly forty
men killed and wounded, but inflicted rs
much damage as no received. Col. Gooding
had narrow escape. o ball passing through
and tearing the crown out Of his hat.
Gen. Emory formed his limo Of battle on
The side facing the woods.-Gen. McMillan's
brigade being posted on tho right, General
Dwight in the centre, and Colonel Benedict
On the left. Taylor's battery Of LIST regulars
had four guns In tho rear Of tho left wing, OF
tho left OF the Shreveport road, and two on
the road In the rear Of Gen. Dwight's line.
Vermont battery was on tho right.
In the rear Of Gen. Emory, and concealed by
rising ground, were Gen. Smiths tried troops,
formed in TWO lines Of battle, fifty yards
apart. All his artillery was in front line, u
section of battery being on the flank OF each,
with infantry lying between them. The 18th
corps was In the rear, held in reserve, under
Gen. Cameron, Gen. Ransom having been
tho day before.
Skirmishing was kept up with considerable
vigor until late in the afternoon, when the
rebels had completed their arrangements for
IN attack. About this time, however, Gen.
Emory's line of skirmlshers were driven in
On tho right by tho rebels, who appeared in
argo numbers coming through tho woods.
They soon reached the open ground and
moved in three lines Of battle to tho attack.
Dur batteries and infantry opened with ter.
.ifc effect. doing great slaughter with grape
ind canister, while the rebel artillery being
n the woods and in bad position, did scarce
y any damage.
Col. Bencdict's brigade on tho left was
irst engaged, and was soon followed by Cons.
Dwight's and McMillan's. Tho fight was
critic. Old soldiers say Il was never sur
,assed for desperation. Notwithstanding tho
errible havoc In their ranks, the rebels press.
u ficrcely on, slowly pushing tho 10Th corps
,ack up tho hill. but not breaking their limo
Il battle. A sudden and bold dash OF tho
ebels on tho right gave them possession OF
raylor's battery and forced our lines still
urther back. Now camo tho grand coup de
main. Tho 10Th corps, on arriving at tho
CD of the hill, suddenly fled over the hill
nd passed through the lines Of Gen. Smith.
The rebels were now but in two lines Of bat |
le,-tho first having been almost annihilatcd
" Gen. Emory, what remained being forced
'ack into the second nc,-but tho two lines
amc on exultant and sure Of victory. The
vt passed over tho knoll, and MI needless Of
no long lines Of cannon and crouching forms
f % bravo men m ever trod mother earth,
,ro..od nm Tho socond linn annoa rod on tho /