The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-07
NEW SERIES-NO. 593

from sleep by the fire Of the enemy's skir-
mishers. Gathering their carbines, and
rushing out in nothing but their night
clothes, they drove Gen. Wheeler back.
The voices of our officers could now be
distinctly heard above the din of battle
rallying the men for pursuit, supposipg,
of course, it had been only small putty
attempting to surprise us; but before
the officers could rally the men Gen.
Butler moved on to repair the left, the
line of battle, with drawn sabres, literally
riding down the camp of the 9th Ohio,
and driving the dismounted men like
sheep before them. By this time the LIST
Alabama cavalry, the 5th Kentucky cav
airy, together with the 9Th Ohio, formed a
line strong enough to check Gen. Butler
and to drive Gen. Young back; but they
were again attacked in the rear by Wheel
er, and turning, they checked him. From
this time the fight became desperate. Ev-
cry man was hero and every officer a
colonel. it became a hand to hand en-
counter. Six times we were driven from
our camps; six times they were compelled
to give them up. At this state of affairs,
Lieut.. Stetson crawled from beneath the
house where he had his quarters, and on
his hands and knees advanced to one of
his guns, which he loaded and fired him
self, more to call his cannoniers than for
purpose of execution. Again he loads
and fires-still the Alabamians and Ken
tuckians fight, not knowing but that the
guns were in the hands of the enemy. At
the third shot, they find out that it is Stet-
son-then such yell as was sent up was
never heard before. Gen. Fitzpatrick,
mounted on mule without saddle, with
only his drawers and shirt on, and bare
footed, he advanced, leading some $50 to
200 men. He was Joined by the dismount-
ed men, the 5th Ohio, the Kentuckians
and Alabamians, and drove the enemy
from our camp.
Now the fight was transferred to head
quarters. There was still force fighting
Wheeler in the rear, and sharp contest
going on upon the flank. The rebels now
with drawn sabers returned to the charge,
and swept down toward the camp, but
were met with such shower of bullets
they are hurled backward, our men follow.
ing until they reached the battery; both
guns were onsned upoRt the rebeA who
then charged 10 take tao So and
reached within twenty yards, whese they
were again stopped by the fire of the
guns and small arms. Still charging they
came up to within four feet of the muzzle
of the guns, when horses. and riders go
down together. Now they move column
around the house to take the guns in the
rear: but Stetson has noticed the move
ment, and gives them the contents of the
pieces once more. At this they move off
-Stetson firing, carbines firing, and
general yell all round.
WHAT HE GOT BY IT.
The fight is ended. Now for the re-
suits:
The rebels left dead upon the field sew
enty-two officers and men, hundred and
some odd wounded, hundred and twenty
four wounded at Fayetteville. Every
house along the road was full of killed and
wounded, making their actual known loss
over six hundred Probably eight hum
dred would not be an over-estimate.
Our loss was, in commissioned officers,
one killed, seven wounded, ten missing
total eighteen.
ENLISTED MEN.
Killed. .12 Missing. ......... 176
Wounded .......7