Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-02-14
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the swamp Corcoran directed his artil-
berry to toss some shells upon the Con-
federate rear. A battery of six guns
opened the ball and, being sharply an
szEered Immediately by several pieces
on the other side of the swamp, were
Joiaed by six more, making twelve in
all Pryor also had twelve guns in DO
sltloA on the-edge of the field close to
the swamp and around Kelly's store.
By @'clock all the guns were furious
~ engaged and kept it up for two hours
without cessation. Shells tore through
the pine trees lining the roadway and
field and searched the swamp on both
sides of the road.
At 5 O'clock Corcoran ordered his
leading regiment to charge the enc
1my's gun in the roadway beyond the
swamp. The colonel of this regiment
had been MORALLY wounded, and the
lieutenant colonel and major had both
been endorsed and disabled by Confed-
crate shells. The adjutant attempted
to rally the command and lead it into
action, but the men became confused
and blocked the roadway across the
swamp. 1t was necessary to lead the
regiment back to the rear in order to
restore their confidence, and this de-
layed the advance of the next line fol-
lowing until 6 o'clock.
The Confederates having had time
to prepare for the attack, Corcoran
decided to reconnoiter his position be-
fore risking too much. He sent for
ward the One Hundred and Thirtieth
New York, which was three times
charged upon while making it's way
through the swamp and woods. The
New Workers ran upon Pryor's guns,
posted to sweep the open field and the
road where it led out of the swamp.
The reconnaissance warned Corcoran
that it would involve useless slaughter
to attempt charge upon artillery by
troops moving in column or to halt
them for formation under fire.
Meanwhile Corcoran's scouting cav
airy had discovered another road lead
ing to the enemy's right flank. A squad
ward on the new road, which also
crossed the swamp, but on emerging
into the open ground was received with
a shower of case shot from battery
on the opposite side Of the field. Gen.
eral Pryor had disposed his force to
cover the approaches by both roads.
The cavalry had howitzer in the col
umn, but it was silenced after firing
three shots by the superior artillery Of
the Confederates.
On learning the result Of the cavalry
advance against the Confederate flank
General Coreoran determined to try
once more the direct attack in front.
But it was nearing the hour of noon
and his troops had eaten nothing since
the previous evening, and a wise gen
eral knows the folly of expecting a
good fight with men whose stomachs
are empty. Besides, the artillery had
used up all its ammunition in the fierce
duel Of the morning. A repulse of the
infantry without guns to fire upon the
enemy should they return the charge
would mean the destruction Of the
whole command. Corcoran decided to
| wait for more ammunition and give his
men chance to take food.
At IL o'clock all was ready for the
| advance, but the enemy offered no OPP
position to the crossing Of the swamp.
| In fact, the movement Of CorcOran's
cavalry upon Pryor's flank had changed
the whole battle. In order to meet the
cavalry on his flank Pryor had with
drawn the infantry and batteries from
the road first attacked and moved 1t
around to the new point of danger. The
cavalry was quickly repulsed and re-
tired through the swamp. At this
juncture General Pryor learned that his
artillery had used up all It's ammunition
and the column was not prepared tc
cope with odds, especially when he had
no cavalry and his batteries were 8
hindrance rather than help. He re
luctantly ordered a retreat to the Black
water, leaving the battlefield to his foe
Corcoran pushed the pursuit with hi
usual dash, and his infantry advance
caught up with the Confederate real
guard at the crossing of creek few
miles from the field. Placing guns IL
position Corcoran shelled the oppposit'
bank with a few rounds, then sen
Colonel Spears Pennsylvania trooper
over the bridge at gallop. The Con
federates had left the scene, and in ,
ride of two miles Spear saw nothing O
the men In gray. 49,.
For small affair the execution o
the artillery at Deserted House, O
Kelly's Store as the battle is variousl,
/ named, was remarkable. All the firm
was done in the night, with only tn
}, flashes to guide the gunners. The frs
Il Federal shell killed Colonel Thoma
}, Poague Of the Fiftieth Virginia. Tw
!, Virginia captains also were killed b
/ shell fire. The ground lately occupie
q by the Confederate batteries wa
i strewn with dead soldiers, horses, brt
) ken hammers, sponges, knapsacks an
|, cartridge boxes. General Pryor carrie
/ away all the wounded who fell in til
& open, but many Of his soldiers struc
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