Posted on 04/20/2024 6:09:14 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
CHICAGO, Tuesday, April 19.
After advancing about five miles from where the Third Division of the command and the Nineteenth Corps were encamped, the rebels made a stand, and our line, consisting of only 2,400 infantry, formed in a belt or woods with an open field in front, and the enemy in the woods on the other side. Gen. STONE, of Ball's Bluff fame, chief of Gen. BANKS' staff, was on the field, and took direction of the movements.
Gen. RANSOM was in favor of advancing only in force, but his wish was disregarded. After a skirmish across the open field for about an hour, the enemy advanced upon us in overwhelming numbers, estimated at 10,000 strong. Gen, RANSOM got all the available troops to the front and opened on them. The enemy lost heavily, but advanced steadily.
Soon all of the cavalry gave way, and the infantry fell back. In a few moments the enemy pressed us closely. The panic of the cavalry so demoralized the army that the retreat became a rout. The General did all in his power to rally the men, but finding it impossible without reinforcements, made every effort to save the artillery. While endeavoring to get the Chicago Mercantile Battery off safely, Gen. RANSOM was severely wounded in the leg. Capt. CYRUS E. DICKEY, his Adjutant, was instantly killed."
Our loss was large, probably 2,000.
The Mercantile battery lost all its guns. Capt. WHITE is a prisoner, Lieuts. THROOP and MCBRIDE were killed. The loss of the battery in killed and captured is thirty-one. One hundred and ten of them returned to camp after the disaster.
While the Fourth Division was falling back in disorder, the Third Division, numbering only 1,800 men, came up and was immediately routed.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
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The War in Louisiana: Reported Defeat of the Union Forces – 2
The Massacre at Fort Pillow: Details of the Butchery – 2-3
From the South: The Armies of Lee and Longstreet – 3
The Chenango Disaster: Investigation into the Causes of the Explosion, before Coroner Norris and a Jury – 3-4
From the Mississippi – 4
The Case of the Maiden Murderer – 4
Movements of President Lincoln – 4
Sentence of a Swindler – 4
From Washington: Suspicious Movements of the Rebel Army – 4
Proceedings of Congress – 4-6
Metropolitan Fair: Fourteenth Day – 6
Editorial: The Rise and Fall of Gold – 6-7
Official Views – 7
Novel Inflation of the Currency – 7
Butter – 7
Amusements – 7
Mr. Lincoln’s mindless war for his sacred tariff.
The New York Times loved every bloody moment.
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