New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-11-04

about three miles fom the Gross Roads, on the edge %
The woods commanding an open field slopihg 10 M
| front. The lGst NewYOrk Volunteers, Lieut.. 'col
! Kerissey commanding were deployod as skumlSheit
and ordered 10 the foot of the bill upon the event o.
which, the line formed TO cover the ita Oh the re-
treating forces TO check the pursuit oil the enemy "Hu
give time for the formation OF the troops: go
Gen. Dwight commanding tie tirt Bfigauc. iorineo
his troops across the Toed upon which the enem! va
moving COMM "dns The open ns4 ~ i'V tormeS
Brigade Col. Benedict On Mcmillan In ro
serve. The line was scarcely form, Nd dr. ,hc dois
New York Volunteers were attacked a. ,.,siljen's
The right being threatened, portion OF M M, e..
brigade formed Oh the right Of Gen, Dwight. Inc III
of our troops was reserved until the enemy was at close
quarters. when the whole line opened upon ihem WIN
most destructive voeys Of musketry. Inc ac,i"n
! lasted m hour and n half TIE enemy was fepnsed
with very great slaughter. During the fight deter,
mined effort made 10 turn our left flank, winch was
defeated. Prisoners reported the loss OF The eneiD! III
officers aud men TO be very great. Gen. Morton was
killed ~ The first outset This attack made with
great desperation, apparently with the idea thai inc
dispersion Of cur forces AT this point would end tHe cam
pagn and, with the aid Of the steadily falling river
leave the feet Of transports aud gunboats In their bahds
compel their destruction. Nothing could sulpass IN
impotuosty the assault Of the enemy but the inHeXiDe
seadness and vaor Of our troops. The First DIVISION
Of the Nineteenth Corps. by its great bravery IN THIS
action saved the army and navy But Tor TIE success
nl resistance TO the attack of the enemy at Pleasant
Grove the atack Of the enemy with increased force
could have been successfully resisted at Pleasant
Hill ON the 9th Of April We occupied tie battle
grounds at night
From Pleasant Grove where this action occurred, to
Pleasant Hill Is miles. IL was certain that Inc
enemy who within reach OF requirements ~ouu
renew the attack In lie morning aud 1t was wholly u
certain whether the command OF Gen smith womb
reach the position we held in season for second en-
garemept For this reason. the army. toward morn
ing fell back TO Pleasant I'LL. Gen Emory covering
the rear burynQ the dead, bringing OH inc Wouhueu
and all the material Of the army. 49,,
! arrived there at ESQ on the morning OF me 'th
efecting junction with the forces Of Gen. smith and
/ the Colored Brigade under Col DieAey winch had
reached that point the evening previous Early on the
9th the troops were prepared for action tne move
of the enemy indicating that ne was III or rl
A line Of battle formed IN the following order;
Frst Brigade Nineteenth Corps, form the night rest
ing on n rayinc: Second Brigade in the center and
Third Brigade on tie left. Tie center was srengta'
cned by a brigade Of Gen. Smiths forces WHOSE MAN
force was held m reserve. The enemy moved ard
our right flank. The Second Brigade withdrew from
the center TO the support of the First Brigade Inc
brigade in support OF the center moved up INTO position
ard another OF Gen. Smiths brgades was poSel 10 the
extreme left position on the hlh ~ tehtoH 10 iAs rear
of the left main line Light diminishing occurred dur.
the afternoon. Between and O'Clock II Increased 10
| vigor. and about p. m. when u appeared 10 ha's
nearly ceased the enemy drove in our sAiImshers and
attacked in force his first onset bong against the Iet
lie advanced in two obque lines, extending Wen over
toward the right of the Third Brigade, Nineteenth
Corps. After determined resistance this part Of the
line gave wHv aud went slowly back "a the reserves
The First and Second Breados were soon employed IN
front night and The skillful movements Of Gen
/ ~
hrunt Of the battle covered. The enemy pursued
the brigadcs passing the LETT and center until 10 ap
preached the reserves under Gen Snltn wien ne was
met by charge led by Gen Mower and checked. The
hole tie reserves now ordered up and IN turn
We drove the enemy, continuing the pursuit Until night
/ compelled Us 10 halt.
The defeat OF the enemy complete and hs loss Of
officers aud men than double that sustained ny our
forces There was nothing IN TIE po't'n OF
condition Of the armies 70 prevent forward move
meut next morning. and orders were given 10 prepare
for an Advance. a train which had been ttined TO
the rear the day Of the battle wac oIdef,a 20 re-
/ form and advnuce AZ daybreok. communicated ms
purpose 90 The close oi the day 70 Gen a - omlih
Who expressed bis concurrence therein. but repre-
sensations subsequently received from ".b IaiAiih
and all The general officers o. the Niheicth'l 'op' ~
10 the condition Of their respective conhhca of IN
mediate active operations agninsi the c"cmF cAls'a y
srspenon al this order. and conference ol the general
oc.s ua- held In the evening, which ~ deter
I mined upon the earnest Iecohim' thhtl"A :" M th'
general cers above named. AMI eh TIE Aclurs'eh
ofGep smith 10 retire upn Grand Ecofc tbe following
daY. The reasons ured Tor TINS coui.e y! ~
1 commanding tho Nineteenth ana lilFtechtA corp
were: ffst that the absence OF water mao" u hn'o'
IUtsg necessary o. adv nee or fttlfe WHOM ut4
Con Tmory's CON fnand bad been without raions Toy
two DAYS aud the trau which had been TUNED 10 tLe
rear during the battle could not he pni ~ cohu"h 20
move lorvnfd upon the siugle road. through dense
woods IN which 1t stood. without dncniy ana los Of
time 1t was Tor the purpose Of communicating VAN
Tie fleet ~ Springfield Landing ron Tue sspihe 'u'
L. 1eds 20 the river well rs 10 ircN'hl IN" coh''Aua
ton 81 tho Texan troops with the enemy AZ Nhnshcd,
that we had pushed Tor the early occupation Of that
point Considering the difficulty WIN when iAc qua.
Ioat. passed Alexandria aud Grand tcorc. there Was
eyery reason believe that the navigation Of tue H'er
would be- found impraciicBbe. -
A sorsdron Of cayalry under direction n Mr. Young.
who had formerly been employed IN Tie surveys 81 ihH
courfry and was now connected with the Engineer De
marin ent which had been sent OF reconnaissance 70
lie river returned 10 Pleasant III on the cay o tle
hattie With the report that thcy hHd hot been able l"
.nyer The fleet or learn from The people IT. passage
M the river This led 10 the belief that the 10" ""ioI
had Ifcycuied the advance o. tie heet Tie cohdHoh
Of he river which lad been steadily falling enc" our
orcb f,nm Alexandria rendered very doubtful u the
deer assembled the river. whether u could return rom
auy intermediate Point md probable II MOI 'cIlhin
,hnt II IL reached Shreveport II would never escape
bot rise OF the Tiyer Of which all hopes began 10
faiI The forces designated for tais campaign NUN .
bcrcd 200 men, Less than BAH mar nuDcI vac ~,
ally available for service against the enemy uuanN
rr,Dress The distance which separated Zen. S'c''
Command from tho line Of our operations theasp
| 9Oo miles) rendered his movements 81 niue mo
roent 10 us or 10 the enemy and reduced the strength
a. tho fighting column 10 the extent OF IA force Wllch
| yeas expected 10 be from lOOJO 10 l3uOu men. Inc
Genot h Alexandria made necessary by the lmpracti
,hle navigation withdrew from our forces JUop men
uuder len Grover The return Of the Marine brigade
10 the defense of the Mississippi upon the demand OF
| Nnior.Gen. MCPHERSON, and Whch cOuid h"t phss
Alexerdria without steamers, nor move Nv lana Tor
want Of land transportation, made auIiher Ieuucoh
of 900 men The prot ,cton OF the feet OF transports
AGAINST The enemy both sides ol the fNcr hhdc "
| ree.essary for Gen. A. j. Smith to de.ach Cen l..
| Kirby Smiths Division OF 2.JD men RON the hSIh
body FOR that duty. The army Train required guard
Of 100 men Thee several detaohmenis. which " was
innos.ble 10 avoid and the distance 81 Gen Steele
| command which 1t was not In my power 10 correct
reduced the number OF troops thai we were able nj any
time to bring into action from 42wl men 10 au1u'
90 900 The losses sustained IN the very severe battles
of thc IN 18th and 9th Of April amounted TO g' men,
and necessarily reduced active forces TO thai sA.
tent Tie enemy, superior 10 US IN number u tno e
outset by falling back able 10 recover from DIS
freat losses by means OF reenforoemcnts which were
within bis reach as he approached his base OF opera
lions while were growing weaker ~ We ucI'I ,r,,
Xth about 10 900 men against - OOO and Won victory