Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-04-12
BATTLE OF BENTONsVILLE Il. @

Bentonsviile is small village of only
eight or ten houses, situated on Mill Greek,
in johnson county, North Carolina. 1t is
four miles south of the Neuse River, and
twenty miles west of Goldsboro. Mill
Creek is shallow stream, meanderlng
through the counties OF Wayne and John
son, and finally empties into the Neuse Xiv
er. 1t is skirted generally by wide, low
lands, and in some parts there are consider
able swamps | should here observe that
this creek is tordable by infantry at any
point, not being more than forty feet in
width, but impossible by artillery, except on
the bridge. The line of battle of the enc
my was in front of an extensive swamp, and
was four miles in length. 1t was very DIFF
ficult to cross this swamp with artillery. To
the right and. left is succession of hills,
which were occupied by the rebels. Our
line OF battle was OF course nearly opposite
that Of the enemy, and stretched along the
margin of the swamp, until lost TO view a.
mong the distant woods.
The preliminary svmtoms of the battle
began as early as twelve o clock on Monday,
March Goth, when the enemy opened Wig
orous fire on the advance guard Of the Eif-
teenth Corps. For several hours this pick
eft skirmish was actively carried on, but with
out any other result than the killing of a sol
who were still living in their houses. At
three clock q large body of our skirmishers
advanced, and soon after the main body Of
Logan Corps was hurled against the Rebel
force The fire became fearful and inces-
SAINT. What was at first distinct notes, clear
ana consecutive, merged into tumultuous
chorus that made the earth tremble. The
discharge Of musketry sounded upon the
ear like the rolling of a thousand distant
drums, and the cheers of our boys told US
of some advantage gained. We who were
upon the centre could see little or nothing
of-this portion of the battle; but from the
dense pail of smoke that hung over the
scene, we knew too well that the bloody
work was going on. The Rebels outnum-
bered U.S. Their best troops were concen-
trated against us, and for an hour the tide
of battle ebbed and flowed alternately. Our
boys fought gallantly, and met the iron
storm with confidence and composure. For
minute the rebels apparently repulsed us.
1t was a trying moment. At this juncture
Logan ordered to the support of " ood the
Division of Gen. Case. Splendidly hand
led, the re enforcement swept on like wave,
its blows falling thick and fast on the auda-
cious Rebels that had so stubbornly held
their position.
Half an hour later and the enemy was re-
treating. We pursued him for mile and
our troops slept on the contested ground.
The success was as complete as 1t was posi-
BILE to make it, in view of the peculiar cir
cumstances of the fight and of the tOpogra-
ply Of the country Certain 1t is, that af-
ter the cessation of the fight, the Rebels did
not renew it again during the evening. In
the night the Rebels retreated across the
swamp, and took refuge in their main line
of works They also dug entertainments
These works were formidable. being protect
ed by abattis and cheraur-de. .trise With
the first streak of day the volleys of mus
kerry poured into our ranks, announced the
battle begun, and for an hour the constant
succession of minnie balls, was uninterrupted
save by their own echoes. Johnston had
initiated the attack. Blair, with his noble
corps, had arrived, and was in position on
our extreme right. Blair commanded on
the right and Logan on the left. The com
mand of Blair was composed of such divi
sions as Mowers and Belknap's.
Logan's corps was composed OF Hazen S,
Woods, Cases and Smith fine divisions.
These troops held the extreme left, and were
opposed to the right wing of the enemy,
which occupied a strong position. These
two corps constitute the Army of the Ten
nessee, commanded by that intrepid officer
Major General Howard.
The battle commenced in earnest at IL
o clock on the extreme right and was taken
up by each succeeding division, and in an
hour the wave of battle rolled from one end of
the line to the other. The enemy had mas
sed heavy force on the right and main
tanned his position with so much stubborn
ness that Mower was ordered up to check or
repulse him. We moved forward in superb
style, and fell upon the enemy like thun-
derbolt; but the Rebel column stood theie
around and fancht with desnerate aallant-