Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-09-10

tremendous force: was upon them, YET
fought with desperation, and, refusing
to surrender, mani of them were killed
while Others affected fight to the real
as best they could, and Fort Steadman
was ours, ere the dasa.
IN THE ESEMY's LINES.
The bold and sudden attack Of the
Louisianians had produced general
alarm in the enensy's lines, and, in the
gray dawn, neithSr in Fort steadman
nor anywhere near, wa, a Federal to be
seen. But alarm rockets were lighting
| up the heavens, and the distant hum of
large bodies of troops concentrating was
distinctly heard; and yet no support
came to the victorious Louisianians,
who had capturedsseveral pieces of ar
tillery, several hundred prisoners, in
Guiding Gen. Mclaughlin, and Fort
Steadman-all theS had been ordered to
do. Five Of the louisiana sharpshoot-
ers, led by Sergehnt G. w. Acker, a
we'll known merchant Of this city we
regret being unable to give the names
of the other four -tentered the Federal
lines in rear OF Folt Steadman.
Here in few moments they heard
the measured tread of a large body Of
troops marching down upon their left,
but invisible in the imperfect light, at a
venture "the fve'. fired in the direction
of the advancing column. 1t is not
known whether any execution was done
or not. But the column, evidently
alarmed, promptlyshalted and again all
was quiet.
The END.
But the end had come. Daylight was
now deepening and it was no longer
possible to conceal the fact that the at
tacking force was bnt handful of des
perate men, while the enemy were con-
centrating % tremendous force to move
upon them. The supporting columns
failed to support. 1t is claimed that
they lost their guides. But, be that as
it may, the Louisit;nians, who had car
ried out successfully their part of the
programme, when, daylight broke were
without support.
1t is estimated That the handful of
LOuisianians who captured Fort Stead
man and held it until daylight, were
confronted by an; immediate force of
fully six thousand 'F'ederals! But their
supports were coming up slowly. Their
position and numbers were fully re-
vealed. Fort Stesdman was situated
in the centre and hollow of an immense
crescent studded with redoubts and on
the front and both Hanks of the devoted
handful of Louisiinians, the Federals
now opened a terrific and concentrated
fire of grape and canister Indeed, the
heroic men who rdtreated out of that
fearful ring Of fire fnd death declare it
the most terrific canonade they ever en-
dured.
1t was indeed a swing gulf Of flame.
1t had been the plan after the capture
of Fort Stedman to! move upon the adj
.jacent redoubts, bSt the feeble force of
the Confederates no longer supported
by the veil Of darkness rendered it alb
solutely necessary to abandon the
scheme and retire moon their own lines,
which however Tas not done, the
Louisianians holditg resolutely their
captured ground under terrific fire
they could not return, until the order to
retreat was received from Gen. Gordon.
How any Of them Survived the fire that
was concentrated upon them is little
short of q miracle.
LoUIsIANIANs DID 'sHEIR WHOLE DUTY.
As the Louisiamans were retiring,
disappointed and doggedly, within
their own lines, Gen. Evans passed
them. When Colohel Waggamln said
to him: "Gen. Evatls, have the Louis
ianans done their dstys" promptly and
with marked empht; isis Gen. Evans re-
Piled: eyes, sir; t5ey have done their
whole duty"
THE RESULT.
In the attack uEon Fort Steadman
Gen, Gordon says we captured nine
pieces Of artillery, eleven mortars, 600
or 700 prisoners, among whom was Gen.
mclaughlin, commanding on that por-
ton of Federal lines Gen. Gordon fur.
ther says that thii was done with the
loss of but one man.: Now, the truth is
that of the LoulHanians, eighty two
lead the charge OF, and captured Fort
Steadman, and of tie eighty-two, forty
two, or more than fifty per cent, were
killed and wounded;
This is the story 81 the part the Louis