The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-08

CALgsBrRG, LII, August 4 1t may as
tonlsh the readers OF the Times TO learn
fhs, the alleged Confederate army remained
unmo,estcd in the western suburbs OF this
ci;y last night and well into the forenoon OF
to-day. They were only an advance body
OF the main army under inc command OF
General REYNOLDS, OF Abingdon, and mus
tered three weak battalions OF foot, good
compsny OF horse, aud a well-equipped bat.
terry OF four Napoleon tweive.pound guns,
commanded by Captain Forneyce and Lieu
tenant Murphey, Of Berwick. This force
was in much better condition for an en-
racement than the Union army, only small
rortion Of which had arrived In the vicinity
of Galesburg this morning. singular
feature OF the business was that the oincers
on the loyal side
oUTxUMBERED THE PRIvATEs
sbont three to one, and we're mounted on
such steeds as, barbed or otherwise, would
have frightened the souls OF many millions
Of fearful adyersaries. General Shearer,
commanding this body Of saDguipary war
riors. did not feel disposed TO risk an en-
caeement, but was forced into II by officers
OF bis staff DESTROYS OF CORY distinction and
premature promotion. His judgment was
against giving battle until the reinforce
ments could arrive; but the impetuous valor
OF bis young men could not be restrained,
and he had to risk, thus hampered, an en-.
gagement, with, as will hereinafter appear,
disastrous results to the defenders OF the
starry flag. Toe Johnnies made themselves
very comfortable at the stock-yards for
eighteen hours, making many raids on the
taverns, but paying honorably In Confede-
rate scrip that bore a suspicious resem-
blsnce to the national currency for every.
thing they consumed. Their commissariat
was well provided, as they were attended
BY q large wsgon-train. At an early hour
this morning the streets Of Galesburg began
to nil with curious people desirious Of see
ing
THE ENGAGEMENT,
which was said 10 be imminent. Men,
women, and children tbroDged the side
walks by thousands. From all the build
ings the national bunting, despite the rebel,
&c, waved free and fair, and genuine
August sun blazed down with an uncom-
Portable warmth that really suggested tue
land OF cotton. The main body OF the
Union forces was encamped ut the Fair
Grounds, some distance. out OF town, the
key of their position being redoubt built
in the regular octagon fashion on one side,
and constructed OF rail-feDce on the other.
Ii was guarded by four guns, with infantry
support, all under the command OF Lieuten-
ant II. C.. Wells, formerly OF the Second Mas
sachusetts artillery. AT $50 A. NJ. General
Shearer sent forward uid Seminary and
Main streets small accommodating force
consisting OF Company r., Fourth Illinois
infantry, commanded by Captain j. s..
Smith; portions OF Companies l and G.
dismounted, OF the First Illinois cavalry,
under Lieutenant Wilson; and Whittier
Post, Grand Army Of The Republic, under
Lieutenant L. B. Howard. These troops,
mostly armed with muzzle-loaders, ad-
vanced in q
SOMEWHAT RECKLESS FASHION
along the streets already named, penetrated
10 Courthouse square, and proceeded be-
yond it 10 the bridge, when the first shot
was heard at few minutes past / O'Clock.
Soon there followed lively rattle Of mus
kerry, mingled with the louder reports OF
artillery, as the rebel guns opened on the
attacking party. The Confederate oulposts
were so hotiy pressed that they retreated
over the bridges, falling back on their main
body under cover OF cannon. Supported
by their second line they rallied, attacked
the Unionists with spirit, retook the bridges,
and, following up this success, drove the
blue coats pell.mell TO the square, where a
riors got decidedly the worst OF it. The
graybacks' guns made the houses along
Main street rattle, while women shrieked
and horses plunged and reared in unmlita-
nv CONSERVATION. Everybody was struck
with the great heroism OF the officers, who
remained persistently on horseback and I'M
accountably escaped. The brave men will
live i'm the history of their country. The
Union troops slcwly retreated over Main
street, maintaining
RUNNING FIRE,
which was not as rapid on either side as IT
ought to have been, owing to the use OF ef-
fete muzzle-loaders, and owing to the
smallness Of the respective commands,
which did not allow OF constant change OF
companies TO sustain the volleys from the
heads OF the columns. Hallway down
Main street, near Browns Hotel, the rebel
infantry made dash at the Union battle
flag, and nearly captured it. The attempt
was resisted with SO much vigor that the
soldiers discharged their muskets in each
others faces, and some vigorous bayOnet
ibrusts were made and warded of. The
officers rode between the lines and beat
down the weapons, enabling the Federalsts
to save their flag and continue the retreat.
At every crossing The fight was renewed,
but, new rebels coming up, the Federal
troops began TO leg II at lively pace, turning
north on Seminary street. They called for
cannon 10 reply 10 that OF the enemy, but
the General would not consent TO weaken
the defence of the fort, and the retreat was
continued. The Union Infantry, on reach
ing the Fair Grounds, entered the main park
and formed line Of skirmisbers, while the
cavalry entered by the road and swung
around in the rear OF the red0ubt. The
guns at
FORT LEE OPENED on THE REBELS
when they appeared, seemingly without ef-
feet. for they kept right on, and the Fede.
ralists kept on running. The ammunition
OF the latter began TO fail, but their canuous
tired rapidly for some time and enabled
them to prolong the defence. The Confed-
crate battery replied with spirit, but at the
third round, Just IN front OF the grand
stand, something large and black was seen
TO rise in the air and fall suddenly to the
ground. II was
THE MAHGLED BODY OF ALvA GLEN,
OF Berwick, who was IN the act OF ramming
home cartridge. Ray, the gunner, bad his
thumb on the vevt, which had grown red
hot from firing, and lifted II for half u
second, when the premature discharge re-
suited. Clem's right thumb and half his
writ were blown twenty feet away, andthe
rammer which he bad been holding was
seOt into the middle Of Q company in The act
Of charging tho redoubt. The wounded
man was blackened with powder, aud pre-
sented . trigbtfpl spectacle. DR.. Truman
Ailless Of Chicago, attended him, and at
once pronounced bis injuries fatal. The
poor fellow, who n only nineteen years Of
se<. M removed % town, where be re-.
cAfVoA tho fnoaf auv~toal sf<n~sixs.f4 IA u