The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-05
BY TELEGRAPH
Reported for the Daily Argus.
New York, May 5.-The N. Y. Herald

at Eleneger Cnurcn.
He says this engagement took place
at a point called Eleneger Church about 20
miles from Selma. The rebels were entrench- /
ed in the woods and had pieces of artillery |
in position. They were about 5000 strong |
commanded by Forrest, Chalmers, Arm
strong and Adams. After considerable firing |,
on both sides, two companies of the 18th Ind. |
led by Capt Taylor charged them with their
sabres, driving their gunners from the guns
capturing one battery of 3 guns and scatter
the enemy in all directions.
While they were thus demoralizing the
rebels III. ID brigade 4th division which had
been sent on a road to the left arrived-charg.
ed and completely routed the enemy.
Our loss in this engagement was about 80
IN killed and wounded. We captured over
400 rebels, and their loss in killed and
wounded was heavier than ours We also
captured 4 pieces of artillery and many small
arms.
Captain Taylor was kil.ei after having
wounded Gen. Foster in the arm with his sa-
bre.
Our troops arrived in front Of the fortifca-
tions of Selma at about p. M, April I'd
They were Immediately formed in line OF bat
tie,
The % division occupying the right of the
centre of the works, and the 4th division the
extreme left.
The Notifications consisted of a double line
of earthworks, in a semicircle, bank to bank.
of the Alabama river. There were also 80
bastions and formidable forts. In front st
the first line of works was q row Of palisades
feet high, which together with the marshy
nature of the ground, over which the charge
was made, rendered the works very difficult
of access.
The works were defended by some 900
men, with some so pieces of artillery. As
previously stated the I'd division was formed
| In line dlsmounted and q skirmish line form
ed. brisk fire was kept between our Skin
| mishers and the rebels until about O'Clock,
when a signal from the Chicago board of
trade battery our forces charged down on the
bresstworks, yelling like demons.
| The rebels poured a murderous fire OF mus
| kerry and artillery into our ranks but moth
| ing daunted our troops bore steadily forward,
and within Is minutes had scaled the works
and were driving the enemy towards the riv-
er in terribly demo.slized condition - Many
were drowned in attempting to cross the riv
er. Although few succeeded In crossing
and escaping We captured ., 400 prisoners,
33 pieces of artillery in line, besides 20 pieces
| in the arsenals.
| Our loss was 324 killed, wounded and mis-
sing, aud that of the enemy was equally as
heavy.
| Montgomery surrendered without a fight
At Columbus the enemy made a stubborn
| resistance; but our men scaled their works
and captured 1000 prisoners aud over 30
pieces of artillery.
| Here all government property, arsenalsr
factories, aud railroad stock were destroyed.
Fourteen miles out OF Macon the rebel Gen.
| Robertson sent a message from Gen. Howell
| Cobb. saying there had been a suspension OF
| hostilitiaa p.oDea1 nv sherman Zen NJ hita
| replied he knew nothing OF il, and, suspect
| ing a ruse, sent word to Robinson that he
must retire 20 Macon while he sent the mes
sage TO Gen. Wilson, who was in the rear
Minty ordered his advance to move forward
in minutes after delivering this answer to
the rebel Gen Robertson. The advance was
made, and as Robertson and his command
did not get out of the way, they were all cap
tured. Macon was taken possession of. and
here Gen. Wilson received official information
| of the armistice The result of the campai IN
may be summed up a. follows: The capture
and occupation of of the most important
cities in the Confederacy, 60O0 prisoners.
over 200 guns, large supply of small arms
! devastation of the country aud the destruc-
ton of at least 500 millions of dollars worth
of property directly OF indirectly belonging to
the rebel government. The casualties Of the
campaign have not yet been able 10 Sc
cure, but do not think they will exceed $50
killed. wounded and missing.
The \. Y. Times Washington special SAYS
n letter received here from Mobile says gov
erumeut officers have information of the exis-
tence in various portions of the state of over
half a million bales Of cotton which will be
! brought to Mobile bv its owners
The n. Y. UeTali's special SAYS il is I'M
| derstoOd that a formal demand has been
made upon the Canad an government for the
surrender of such of the ass assiDation con-
spirators as may be within its jurisdiction
New YORK, May 4-The n. Y. CONNER.
cisPs special says:
JEFF. Davis and several leading rebels will
] be included In the bill of indictment before
| the court for the trial of the murderers now
| in custody. and yet to be captured
| President johnson is understood to be in
| favor of abolishiug the trade regulations of
the treasury department. The subject will
| be discussed and decided at q cabinet meet
| ing on Tuesday next.
| The n. Y. Evcuing Posts special saws:
| Eight Marylanders, charged with harbor-
| ing Booth and aiding his escape, have been
arrested and lodged in prison in Washing
ton.
The mails received this morning are laden
with the designations Of volunteer officers in
the naval service, in obedience to the new
order of the government for the reduction of
the service
The charges against Elk Gov. Aiken are
preferred by the military authorities in
Charleston.
MONTREAL, May 4.-Beverly Tucker pub
fishes a letter saying whoever asserts he had
anything to do with the assassination or any
knowledge of the plot for the capture Of Lin.
colin or Seward hlackened his sonl NTH AZ.