Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-30

Fighting was opened at Irish Bend at daybreak on the 14th by the gun boat fleet accompanying Banks. The boats were the vessels which fought in the same waters under Commander Buchanan a few weeks before, with the exception of the captured Diana namely, the Clifton, Calhoun, Estrella and Arizona. Under Commander Cooke the Calhoun, Arizona and Estrella lay watching Growers landing place while the Clifton went up the Teche in chase of the fleeing Diana. It was known that the doughty steam ram Queen of the Vest, which had been captured from Colonel Ellet in January, was afoat with a Confederate, crew on board and would be heard from in connection with Banks attack Sight ing her at daylight stealing down the bayou, Cooke formed his line in cres cent shape and dashed for the ram, opening rapid fire as he sailed. It was quick work, for the Queen soon burst into flames from the Federal shells and exploded her ma gazine, end- ing a most exciting career under two flags.
 Taylors precipitate flight from Fort Bisland on the night of the 18th had been caused by startling news which reached him during the fight with Elm ory. Grover had landed at Irish Bend and was marching to cut off his re- treat from Fort Bisland. Sending his wagon train, covered by a rear guard, toward Franklin, farther up the bayou, he led two brigades against Grover, hoping by desperate fighting to give his outlying detachments time to get in behind the screen of bayonets he would oppose to the new enemy. Gro yer began his march early and soon ran upon Taylor's new line, with four guns in position.
 Not a moment was lost in pressing the action Grover sent the One Hun dred and Fifty ninth New York into the thicket to charge the battery. Throwing off their blankets and over coats, the New Workers dashed in, their commander, Colonel Edward l.. Molineux, falling with painful wound at the first volley just as he shouted the command, "Forwardv' At the same time Taylor ordered the Twenty
 
 flank The Louisianians struck the rear of the New Workers just as Moli- neux went down, pouring in stinging volley, which compelled the regiment to retreat. Simultaneously the whole of Taylor's left bore down upon Gro ver's right, forcing it back to the Fed eral guns, which checked the intrepid charge by showers of case shot and canister. Meanwhile Growers left flank, led by the Thirteenth Connecu- cut, had charged simultaneously with Molineux and hurled the Confederate right back upon their guns. Grover quickly reorganized his line and, nov ing forward through the woods, found the enemy massed upon knoll beyond with four guns bearing upon the ap- breaches. At the same time the gum boat Diana, which had patched up the holes made by Emory's shells the day before, opened on the line with thirty pounder Parrott shots.
 Early in the fight Grover had taken some prisoners, and from their state ments he was led to believe that Tay- Tor had brought up all his troops from Fort Bisland and was about to attack with his whole force. He therefore de cided to move with caution. But Tay- Tor had given over the command in front to his subordinate, General Mou- ton, and gone himself to direct the re- treat of his army on Franklin.
 Mouton soon found himself in trap. Growers force outnumbered his own in front, and scouts brought word of another Federal column marching up on his rear. This was Emory's column from Bisland, which had hastened after the retreating Confederates and been led to Irish Bend Mouton hur- ried away across country and escaped over the blazing timbers of a bridge which one of his colleagues had set on fire to prevent the enemy from using it to get into Mouton's rear.
 Finding that Taylor did not press the attack, Grover pushed his line for ward, but in place of meeting Tay- lor's line of battle saw Emory's col umn moving up the bayou. Before re- tiring the Confederates blew up the Diana, thus disposing of second cap- tive gunboat.
 The chance battle at Irish Bend was more bloody than the attack upon Bis land. The Confederates lost one colo mel and two brigadier generals wound ed, and Grover lost two colonels and sixteen line officers wounded. The southerners in this fight were trained border men and skilled shots. Like the Boers, they aimed for high game. Colonel Molineux is the veteran whose name has been conspicuous before the public in connection with his sons trial. He recovered from his wound and continued In service.
 GEORGE l.. KILMER.