The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-03-30
REBEL ACCOUNTS.
The Battle OF Avera sbOrO.
DETAILED REBEL ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF
MARCH I6.

The Battle OF Averasboros
DETAILED REBEL ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF
MARCH l6.
From the Charlotte Carolinianl
Since the evacuation Of Charleston General Hardee has
been hurrying forward to effect junction with the re-
mainder OF the troops under Generals Johnston and
BAuregad and since the LIST Of March the enemy has
been close upon h On Wednesday, the 10Th, how
ever tue bad condition Of the roads the proximity OF
tho enemy, their evident intention 10 force hght ana
other ances, combined 10 induce General hardee
% make stand His army was then about iour l'ies
from Avemsboro. Colonel Rhett, with his brigade OF
South Carol regulars consisting OF the FIRST artillery
First infantry and Lucas battalion OF heavy aruery ou
aclng as infantry and portion OF the Beaufort and lie
Gardeax light artillery constituted the rear guard.
Skrmishing and sbarpshooting commenced about noon
and troops set to work in throwing up such
slight Entertainments as the means at hand permitted
fe rails here there, and bunch of limbs sprlnked
with dirt was ali that could be had TO answer the tenn
porary purpose. On this day no determined advance
was made by the enemy. Our own army however lost
one Of s blayest aud most promising ofcers-Colone
Rhett, commanding the rear guard Daylight on Thurs
day March Is revealed the enemy in position and evil
deniy about to give battle Our own troops also in
lane behind tAeir works-f they may be dignihed oy
such name-and with enthusiasm awayed the onset.
Opposite right front large hed opposite our
lett dense underground Of small pines limited the vew
Colonel tier, OF the First Infantry was IN command OF
the brigade and Iieutenant Colonel De Irevie COM
uanded Tie regiment
SsirmsAng commenced ut an early hour along the
entire line aat about seven clock the enemy attacked
our left in force Tho met IL splendidiy. Disci-
plned like the regulars of the old army, and for more
than year and half daily and nightly under the fire OF
the tederai artillery on Sumter and on sullivan and
James Islands, they had become Injured 10 danger and
hardship: but this Ill rst meeting Win Inllr
Anniversaries the open field, and one for which they
had onked without ceasing The manner IN which they
ayaed themselves of this the first opportunity to prove
their eta testified their earnest purpose The tederals
might well have struck solid wall Until trdercd N
ia bcck he men stood in their places, receiving and
ret8rn.ng the battle fire with checks unblanched
n divisions Of slocumts corps, Fitzpatrick Q
cavalry and superior numbers OF artillery were
in the front, pressing with all their might, but
twelve FOUNDER guns added to the effectiveness Of our
defence One Of these, belonging 10 lie Cardeux bat
.tDntAA n oh
there; but in short time the latter brought up bat
tery and within five hundred yards opened upon this
single piece wha; is described to pareest 'hel
storm of fire. Eorses and went down before the
tornado until bit of each remained and the gun was
then abandoned To its fate
ia ling to produce any effect the left, the attack
was transferred the right flank Here we had no de-
fences and by of the paucty OF numbers could
only meet the rapid combinations Of the enemy with
hle OF skrnishers consisting of four companies For
time held entire brigade in check but the latter
finally charged broke through and forced TO fall hack
Stu ullancousy the ede ais attacked right 'front.' ana
thus between Abe triangular re it became necessary TO
fabaidon the rst line In doing many OF our wounded
fell into the hands Of the federas
H,yas about half past two O'Clock 7. H. Falling
back about half mile fore occupied second line,
and net brigade in reserve, under command OF General
Stephen Elliott Here the fight again Obstinately re-
newed and contested but the enemy sweeping around
aba.donmep of the second line and retreat TO the
third ~e federals had been worried and exhausted,
had lost heavily in killed and wounded, and the bold
front presented a. the IN rd line with its Hanks protected
Nv swamps compelled dcs from further opera
1ons The battle there ceased. No further attempt was
made to press columns, and our march TO concen-
srale has since been unimpeded
The losses of the enemy reported by their prisoners,
whom n taken, from three thousand hve
hundred three thousand eight hundred Our own Will
moi exceed five hundred