New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-04-04
FROM SHERMAN'S ARMY.
Che Battle OF Bentonsviiie-The Splendid
Conduct of Our TrOOps-The Eiiteenth
Germs Principally Engaged.
,nom Our Special Correspondent


tme which it lasted. and the desperation of the Rebe
leaders to succeed 1t certainly than aver
uus exhibition Of Rebel pluck. Gen. Johnston aud the
esher msgnates Of the Contedefacy had made every
effort to thoroughly Undue their deceived troops with
Che belief that Shermans army would be utterly ana
overwhelmingly annihilaed. Laboring under THIS dc,
lu.jop tbe soldierso Davis fought with courage and
devotion worthy Of better cause. Ihey were com
snanded by the best Gene ais in the Coniederacy but
with all Il cir superior advantages the were unable to
hod their ntrenchments against the furious onses Of
Che Army of the Tennessee
rHE POSITION AND LOCALITY OF THE FIGHT
Bsutonsyile 10 small vi lage Of Only eight or ten
Aouses. situated on Mil Gre k, In johnson County
North Carolina 1t is four miles south of the Neuse
xziyer aud twenty miles west of Goldsborough. Mil
Creek is a shallow stream, meandering through the
counties Of Wayne and johnson. and finally empties
Unto Neuse River 1t is skiited generally by wide
Gov lands and in parts there ere considerable
Swanps should here that this creek Is ioida
Die BY infantry at any point not being more than lofty
Get in width but impas. ate by artillery except Oh 'e
bridge. c.,n, q. a, ox
e.nsiye swamp and was our miles in length II was
very difficult to cross this swamp with artillery 10
che r;eht and left Is IN cession OF Ills which were
occupied by the Con EIDE atos.
These positions possesse great advantages and every
roldier from the Generals down 10 the pivaies appe
STATED tie strength of the ground and anticipated a"
sasy victory behind their splendid barTeedes anc
breastworhs.
Orr line Of battle was Of nearly opposite that
ef the enemy and stretched along the margin Of the
swamp until lost to view among the distant woods
OPENING OF TIE lIGHT.
The preliminary symptoms OF tho battle began as
osriy as twelve O'Clock on Monday, when the enem!
spened vigorous fire on tie advance guard OF the
Fifteenth Corps. Tor several hours thiS l4cAet sAlf'
misng was actively carl led on, but without any oAe
result than the killing of sold or ana the irisutehe
.f the few citizens who were sti living in tle houses
At three o'clock o lar-e body OF oar sSrmishers az
xanced and soon after the main body Of Losa4s Corps
vas hurled against the FEB force. The fire became
Csarful ard ineessant. What vas at first distinct
Totes clear and conse uiye, merged iuil
"A tuuul.uous chorus that made the earth
kremble. The discharge OF mnsketry sounded
anon the ear like the rolling of thousand distant
xruns snd the cheers of our boys told us oil some
ADVANTAGE gained. We who we're upon tho center
,ould see little or nothing Of this portion OF TIE baHe
but from the dense pail OF sro that hung over iAe
ssne we knew too that the bloody work was gong
~ The Rebels outpuml cred US. Their best troops
cora concentrated arsiusi ,s .or \ hour the tide
af battle ebbed and flowed alternately. Orr boy
fought CALAMITY. and met the iron Storm WIN com
dence and composure For minute the Rebels apTar'
only repulsed us. 1t was trying moment AT this
functure Logon ordered TO tie support Oh WOOD the
division of Gen. Case Spleadidy handled the reen.
Increment swept Oh like wave its blows falling thicK
and fast upon the sudacous Rebels that had so stub
bornly held their positions.
Half an hour later and the enemy was rereating
Sw al I;rnf 4 uila nd
contested ground. The success was as complete rs 1t
uas possible TO make It, il view Of the peculiar ercum
Of the fight and of the topography of the country,
Certain It is that after tic cessation OF the fight the
Rebels did rot renew il again during tie evening. IL
che night the Rebels retreated scrosthe swamp and
Cook refuge in their ain lire of works Thsyalso dug
entertainments. These works were formidable BENG
protected by abatts and cherauTdess With tie first
csreak Of day the vol eys OF muskey poured into our
rank announced the ba tie begun and for an honr the
constant succession Of mimic balls was uninterrupted
cave By their Johnston had Initiated the
attack Blair wit his no. lc corps, had arrived, and
was in position on our right. Blair commanded
on the right and Logan the lef,. Tie command OF
BLAIR was composed of such divisions as Mowers ana
9elknrps.
Logens CORPS was composed Of Hazens Woods,
Cases and Smiths Enc divisions TAese troops held
She extreme left and opposed TO the right wing 81
che enemy. which occupied strong position. These
fwo corps constitute the Army Of tie Tennessee COM
snauded b. that intrepid officer Major General HowrTd.
Tie battle commenced in earnest at II o'clock on the
oxtrersc right and taken ~ by each succeeding
division and in an Lour the Of battle rolled from
and Of the line TO tie other The enemy had mased
heavy force on the right and maintained his position
with so auch suDto that Mower ordered up
% check or repuse him. We moved forward in superb
style and fen upon tie enemy Ike thunderbot; but
Ee Rebel column stil stood their ground, ard fought
with desperate gaantry. In the meantime Logan had
been steadily pushing back the enemy. Under his or
ders Hasen had executed flank movement. opening
up communication with the left wing Cen Logan had
o difficult task
He pressed the enemy sorey from lie start, compel
ung him to fall bac eridusny. The gallant Case
Ought his division with great SIX Il and bravery The
troops HIS command formed the left wing OF Grants
urmy at Fort Donelson and have distinguished them.
oelves IN al the battles Of the South. West The noble
division OF Wood carried the last intreDcments. and
chey slept upon the field with the wreath Of victory
browning their brows. Hazen's division was On the
left Of Wood and fought with its famed and distn'
1uished gallantry
An ntermission OF an hour, during which time a.
prisoners informed US, the ene'oy was heavily resu.
forced Tor three hours there was kept ny
one unbroken roar Of nuskery which, for its fierce in
eensity exceeded anything have ever heard The
very earth seemed 10 tremblc beneath the deaienng
and inceEssnt roar.
Notwithstanding the fatigue and welnigh exhausted
condition Of cur troops they entered on this fight with