ner. The following is a circumstantial account of the affair: The intrenchments within which our troops fought are situated about one mile from Woodsonville, opposite Munfordsville, on the south side of the river, and are built so as to protect the Green River railroad bridge. Immediately south of the works, and three hundred yards from them, a strip of woods crosses the railroad. A portion of this had been felled, and forms an abattis in front of the intrenchments. Beyond the woods is another open space, which was the scene of the battle between Col. Willich and Terry, in December last. To the right and left of the intrenchments are extensive open fields of undulating surface, extending on the left to Woodsonville and the turnpike road, by which the rebel approach was made. formed, and the fight for some time was carried on chiefly by the infantry. The rebels moved their artillery and the greater part of the infantry to the left, and formed on the Woodsonville road, preparatory to making an assault on the left of the works. It was on this part of the works that the twenty-four-pounder, which had done such terrible execution, was posted. While this disposition of the rebel troops was being made, a few of the Indianians made a venturesome sortie toward the woods, and while under fire from the woods, succeeded in bringing in several prisoners, among whom was a major of a Mississippi regiment. This officer, in conversation with the United States officers, stated that, on the part of the field on which he had fought, on the right of the railroad, they had left four hundred killed and wounded. The garrison of the intrenchments on the morn- The second assault was on the right, and charing of the attack consisted of the brigade of Col. acterized by the same desperate energy as the Wilder, of the Seventeenth Indiana infantry, first. The rebels crossed the open fields under a which was composed of the Seventeenth, Sixty- heavy fire, and only halted under the brow of a seventh, and Eighty-third regiments of Indiana hill, two hundred yards from the works. They troops, and company G of the Louisville Provost mounted the hill and pushed forward rapidly. Guards, under command of Lieut. H. Watson. They sprang over the narrow trenches and mountThe rebel force attacking consisted of two bri-ed the works. But the gallant Indianians did gades of the First division of Gen. Bragg's army, under Simon H. Buckner, but commanded in this attack by Brig.-General Duncan, of Mississippi. The brigades were composed of Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama troops. Our pickets were first fired on about three o'clock on Sunday morning, but the engagement did not become general until about five. The pickets at the house of Mr. Lewis, on the right of the railroad and beyond the woods, were first attacked, but they did not fall back until five o'clock. It is noteworthy that the rebels made their first attack at the same point at which they attacked Col. Willich. As soon as it was light enough to see their way, the rebels pushed forward, confident of success, and drove the picketguard through the woods and into the intrenchments. Forming in the edge of the woods and protecting themselves among the fallen trees in our front, the rebels kept up a continuous firing, which was replied to no less vigorously by our men within the works. Colonel Wilder posted his three regiments in an admirable position, guarding every approach to the works. Throughout the whole engagement Col. Wilder conducted himself coolly and deliberately, and effected his manoeuvres with marked skill. The first attack of the rebels, made under cover of a shower of shells thrown from three pieces of heavy artillery posted on the right of the railroad, was desperate, and the repulse bloody. The rebels rushed through the thick abattis with loud shouts, but retreated before the terrible fire of the Indianians, with demoniac shouts of pain and rage. The four pieces of our artillery continued to pour shot and shell into their ranks, and the heavier piece on the left of our works succeeded in dismounting two of the guns posted in the woods. Retreating to the woods, the rebels again not quit their places, and many of the rebels, bayoneted, fell back into the ditches. It is stated that many were thus killed by the bayonet. After this assault the rebels kept up a desultory fire until about eleven o'clock, when they fell back beyond the woods and ceased firing. The troops on our right, seeing the others retreating, fell back, and left the two pieces of artillery formerly dismounted on the field. During the last attack a force of rebel cavalry, with a piece of light artillery, appeared at Munfordsville, and, from the bluff before the town, threw a few shells into our works. After the third shell the gun was dismounted, and the rebels retired. During the engagement the cavalry company was ordered to remain under cover beneath the bridge, and took no part in the conflict. The rebels were estimated by captured officers and men to be eight thousand strong. Their loss will approximate five hundred killed and wounded. Among them is a colonel of a Mississippi regiment. The rebels engaged in burying the dead stated to our men that they had lost six hundred men. The story of the wounded major is probably nearest the truth, and it may be safely said that their loss will reach that number. Our loss was eight killed and twenty wounded. Among the killed is Major Abbott, of the Sixtyseventh Indiana regiment. By a person who left Munfordsville late last evening, Col. Dunham sent word that the rebel loss was over five hundred. We have taken one hundred and ten stand of small arms and two pieces of artillery, six-pounders. Thus, upon the field made glorious by the Indianians, under Willich, have Indianians won the second battle of Munfordsville, and, in shedding lustre on the national arms, added new honors to the State from which they hail. Doc. 208. EXPEDITION TO PONCHATOULA, LA. OFFICIAL REPORT OF GENERAL BUTLER. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT of the Gulf, don, whose commander, Capt. Read, had kindly consented to coöperate with me. The object in view was to surprise the village of Ponchatoula, the headquarters of the rebel General Jeff. Thompson, forty-eight miles north of the city, on the line of the Jackson Railroad. Major-General H. W. Halleck, Commanding Ar-To that end the New-London was to land her mies of the United States: GENERAL: Having been informed that a small force of the enemy were repairing Manchac Pass, and that the troops had been withdrawn from Ponchatoula, forty-eight miles north of this city, the headquarters of Gen. Jeff. Thompson, I directed Major Strong, my Chief-of-Staff, to take five companies of men to complete the destruction of the bridge and the repairs, if any, and by a division of his force to endeavor to secure the person of Gen. Thompson, and to destroy his supplies. Owing to the heavy draught of water of our boats, as set forth in Major Strong's report, herewith inclosed, it was found impossible to carry out the plan as originally proposed. But Major Strong, not to be baffled, determined upon an attack, and in open day, at the head of one hundred and twelve men, made a march of ten miles upon the headquarters of a General who was collecting forces to attack New-Orleans, drove away a light battery of artillery, supported by three hundred infantry, took and occupied the town, destroyed the telegraph and post-offices, captured the despatches, possessed himself of the General's presentation sword, spurs, and bridle, as trophies, (our officers do not plunder generals' quarters of shirts and stockings,) burned his supply-train of twenty cars, and returned at his leisure-inflicting treble loss upon the enemy in killed and wounded. I beg to commend this to the Commanding General as one of the most daring and successful exploits of the war, equal in dash, spirit, and cool courage, to any thing attempted on either side. Major Strong and his officers and men deserve great credit. It may have been a little daring, perhaps rash, but that has not been an epidemic fault with our officers. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. F. BUTLER, Major-General Commanding. A true copy: GEO. C. STRONG, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, Major-General B. F. Butler, Commanding Department of the Gulf: men at Manchac bridge, whence at daybreak next morning they were to drive the enemy that might be found there northwards to Ponchatoula, while the remainder of the force, having found the way fifteen miles up the Tangipahoa in the night, were to land and march six miles westward and capture Ponchatoula in season to secure those of the enemy who had been driven up from Pass Manchac. The attempt at surprise failed, for not only was the New-London unable to get over the bar into Manchac Pass in the darkness, but the Ceres, too large for the easy navigation of the narrow and winding Tangipahoa, failed in each of the two succeeding nights to reach her destination on that river in season to admit of our gaining Ponchatoula before daylight. I resolved, therefore, to go with that steamer to Manchac bridge, and did so on the morning of the fifteenth. From that point, Captain Winter was sent with his company southward, to make the destruction of the railroad on Manchac Island complete, which duty he thoroughly performed. Capt. Pickering's company was left to guard the steamer, and the companies of Captains Thornton and Farrington began a forced march of ten miles upon Ponchatoula. A locomotive one mile below the village gave notice of our approach, (which could not be concealed,) and ran northward, giving the alarm at the village, and thence to Camp Moore for reenforcements. We met, on entering Ponchatoula, a discharge of canister, at seventy yards, from a light battery, in charging which Captain Thornton fell severely wounded. His company, then, under Lieut. Hight, reënforced Capt. Farrington's platoon on the enemy's right, while Lieut. Coon, with the second platoon of that company, took a position, under partial cover, on the left of the enemy's line. From these positions our men poured in so deliberate and destructive a fire that the enemy was driven from the field, the artillery galloping away, followed by the infantry, on a road through the forest, in a north-westerly direction. We then set fire to a train of upwards of twenty cars, laden with cotton, sugar, molasses, etc., and took the papers from the post and the telegraph-office, de stroying the apparatus in the latter, and General Jeff. Thompson's sword, spurs, bridle, etc., from his quarters in the hotel. The sword was presented to him by the so-called "Memphis patriots." GENERAL: Pursuant to your orders of the thir teenth instant, I embarked on the afternoon of that day on board the steamer Ceres, at Lakeport, with three companies of the Twelfth regiment Maine volunteers, commanded respectively by Capts. Thornton, Farrington, and Winter, and A written document was obtained which one company, Captain Pickering's, of the Twenty- showed the rebel force at that point to consist sixth Massachusetts regiment. I had previously of three hundred troops of the Tenth Arkansas sent one hundred men of the Thirteenth Connec- regiment, one company of the home guards, and ticut regiment on board the gunboat New-Lon-one company of artillery with six pieces. I had, however, received reliable information that the enemy's force was only two hundred infantry and no artillery. The reënforcements had taken place at a subsequent date. Our force engaged amounted to but one hundred and twelve men. We left of killed, wounded, and missing (exclusive of those who have just come in-among the last the gallant Capt. Thornton,) ten men at Ponchatoula. Surgeon Avery, of the Ninth Connecticut volunteers, with his attendants, voluntarily remained with our wounded, but the former has since returned. We brought in eleven men more or less severely wounded. One fatal case of sun-stroke occurred on board the steamer. Our return from Ponchatoula was necessarily along the railroad, through a swamp, and on which there is no cover for troops, and it was therefore impossible to bring off those of our men who were most severely wounded, as they would be exposed for a long distance to the fire of the rebel artillery, which, with horses attached, would be brought back upon the line of the road as soon as we should have left the village. The artillery did so return at the signal of the inhabitants; but, though actively served, did us no harm. Surgeon Avery reports twenty of the enemy killed. Capts. Thornton and Farrington, and the officers and men of their respective commands, though nearly exhausted by the march, two miles of which was over an open trestle-work, in the heat of the day, behaved nobly in the fight. Captains Pickering and Winter, after a very rapid march, for which they are entitled to much credit, came up after we had left the village, covered our rear, and assisted in bringing in the wounded. Lieuts. Martin, Allen, and Finegass, and Commander Buchanan, United States Navy, who accompanied the expedition, rendered important services, and their gallantry during the action deserves special mention. I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEORGE C. STRONG, Doc. 209. Acting General. THE BATTLE WITH THE SIOUX. mined to cross the Yellow Medicine River, about three miles distant, and there await the arrival of Capt. Rogers's company of the Seventh regiment, which was ordered by me from New-Ulm, to join me by a forced march, the presence of the company there being unnecessary by the arrival there of another company, a few days previous. About seven o'clock this morning, the camp was attacked by about three hundred Indians, who suddenly made their appearance and dashed down toward us, whooping and yelling in their usual style, and firing with great rapidity. The Renville Guards, under Lieutenant Gaman, were sent by me to check them, and Major Welch of the Third regiment, was instantly in line with his command, with his skirmishers in the advance, by whom the savages were gallantly met, and after a conflict of a serious nature, repulsed. Meanwhile, another portion of the Indian force passed down a ravine on the right, with a view to outflank the Third regiment, and I ordered Lieut.-Colonel Marshall, who, with the five companies of the Seventh regiment, and who was ably seconded by Major Bradley, to advance to its support, with one six-pounder under the command of Captain Hendricks, and I also ordered two companies of the Sixth regiment to reënforce him. Lieut.-Colonel Marshall advanced at a doublequick, amidst a shower of balls from the enemy, which fortunately did little damage to his command; and after a few volleys, he led his men to a charge, and cleared the ravine of savages. Major McLaren, with Capt. Wilson's company, took position on the extreme left of the camp, where he kept at bay a party of the enemy who were endeavoring to gain the rear of the camp, and finally drove them back. The battle raged for about two hours, the sixpounder and mountain howitzer being used with great effect, when the Indians — repulsed at all points with great loss-retired with great precipitation. - I regret to state that many casualties occurred on our side. The gallant Major Welch was badly wounded in the leg, and Captain Wilson, of the Sixth regiment, was severely bruised by a nearly spent ball in the shoulder. Four of our men were killed, and between thirty and forty wounded, most of them, I am rejoiced to say, not severely. The loss of the enemy, according to the statement of a half-breed named Joseph Campbell, who visited the camp under a flag of truce, was thirty killed and a large number wounded. We found and buried fourteen of the bodies, and as the habit of the Indians is to carry off the bodies WOOD LAKE, NEAR YELLOW MEDICINE, told by Campbell was exaggerated. of their slain, it is not probable that the number COLONEL SIBLEY'S DESPATCH. September 23. To His Excellency, Gov. Ramsey : The severe chastisement inflicted upon them SIR: I left the camp at Fort Ridgley on the has so far subdued their ardor that they sent a nineteenth inst., with my command, and reached flag of truce into the camp to express the sentithis point early in the afternoon of the twenty-ment of the Wahpetons, composing a part of the second. There have been small parties of Indians attacking force, and to state that they were not each day in plain sight, evidently acting as scouts strong enough to fight us and desired peace, with for the main body. This morning I had deter- permission to take away their dead and wounded. I replied that when the prisoners were delivered up it would be time enough to talk of peace, and that I would not grant their permission either to take their dead or wounded. and language of the Indians, has been of great service to me, since he joined my command. Very respectfully, your ob't servant, Doc. 210. H. H. SIBLEY, Colonel Commanding. COLONEL BARNES'S REPORT. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, MORELL'S DIVISION, I am assured by Campbell that there is serious depression in the Indian camp, many having been opposed to the war, but driven into the field by the more violent. He further stated that eight hundred Indians were assembled at the Yellow SKIRMISH AT BLACKFORD'S FORD, VA. Medicine, within two miles of the camp, but that the greater part took no part in the fight. The intention of Little Crow was to attack us last night, but he was overruled by others, who told To Major F. S. Earle, Assist. Adjutant-General: him if he was a brave man he ought to fight the MAJOR I have the honor to submit the followwhite man by daylight. I am fully prepared ing report of the action of Saturday last, the against night attack, should it be attempted, al- twentieth September, on the opposite side of the though I think the lesson received by them to-Potomac, between this brigade and a very large day will make them very cautious for the future. force of the enemy. I have already adverted to the courage and skill of Lieut.-Colonel Marshall, and Majors Welch and Bradley, to which I beg leave to add those of the officers and men under their respective commands. Lieut.-Colonel Averill and Major McLaren were equally prompt in their movements in preparing the Sixth regiment for action, and were both under fire for some time. Captains Grant and Bromley shared the dangers of the field with Lieut.-Colonel Marshall's command, while Capt. Wilson with his command rendered efficient service. The other companies of the Sixth regiment were not engaged, having been held in position to defend the rear of the camp, but it was difficult to restrain their ardor, so anxious were officers and men to share with their comrades the perils of the field. On the morning of the twentieth instant I received, from division headquarters, the following order: HEADQUARTERS DIVISION, Sept. 20, 1862. COLONEL: In pursuance of orders from headquarters of the corps, the Commanding General directs that you push your brigade across the river to Shepherdstown and vicinity, and report what is to be found there. By command. A. A. General. Major-General MORELL Commanding First Brigade. In obedience to this order, I crossed the river at Blackford's Ford at about nine o'clock A.M. The brigade, consisting of the Eighteenth MasTo Lieut.-Colonel Fowler, my A. A.A. G., I have sachusetts, Twenty-fifth New-York, Thirteenth been greatly indebted for aid in all my move- New-York, One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennments-his military knowledge and ability being sylvania, First Michigan, Twenty-second Massainvaluable to me, and his assistance in to-day's chusetts, and Second Maine regiments, numbered affair particularly so. To Major Forbes, Messrs. in all one thousand seven hundred and eleven Patch, Greig and McLeod, of my staff, who car-men, including officers, some of the regiments ried my orders, I must also acknowledge myself having been very much reduced. under obligations for their activity and zeal ; while to Major Brown, also of my staff, though suffering from illness, it would be injustice not to state that he aided me materially by his exertions and his advice. The medical staff of the several regiments were cool and expert in rendering their professional aid to the wounded. Assistant Surgeon Seigneuret, attached to my staff, is to be commended for his skill and diligence. As soon as the Eighteenth Massachusetts had crossed the ford it was drawn up in order, on the road running below the bluffs toward Shepherdstown, under command of Major Hayes. At this moment, and before the other regiments had crossed, Brigadier-General Sykes, who had previously crossed the river, and whose command consisted, as I was informed, of about eight hundred men, then in advance toward the I am very much in want of bread, rations, six-west, came to me with the information that the pounder ammunition, and shells for the howitzer, enemy were in strong force about two miles in and unless soon supplied I shall be compelled to his front; that he had sent his Aid forward to fall back, which, under present circumstances, ascertain the facts in the case, and desired me to would be a calamity, as it would afford time for remain until his Aid returned, in order to afthe escape of the Indians with their captives. I ford him support if the report should turn hope a large body of cavalry is before this on out to be true. I informed him that my their way to join us. If I had been provided with orders required me to go to Shepherdstown, five hundred of this description of force to-day, I but that if he would give me an order to remain, venture the assertion that I could have killed the I would do so. He accordingly gave me the greater part of the Indians, and brought the cam-order for that purpose, and desired that Major paign to a successful close. Hayes, with the Eighteenth Massachusetts, then drawn up in the road, should take position near but below the top of the ridge, which ran, in its Rev. Mr. Riggs, Chaplain of the expedition, so well known for his knowledge of the character general direction, parallel to the road, and on the left. Major Hayes immediately proceeded to occupy that position. The Twenty-fifth New-York, Colonel Johnson, and the Thirteenth New-York, Colonel Marshall, having crossed and formed in the road, were directed to take a similar position on the right of Major Hayes; but to reach which, it was necessary to pass beyond the ravine by which the Eighteenth Massachusetts had ascended to another ravine a few rods distant, the interval forming a rocky bluff, nearly perpendicular, up which it was impracticable to advance. It was soon perceived that the command of General Sykes, on our left, was retiring, and they had marched nearly to the foot of the hill, when I received orders to retire in good order, and to recross the river. I immediately gave the necessary orders to fall back, to the regiments posted, as above described, on the left of the brigade, where I then was, and at once despatched the orderly to convey the same instructions to those upon the right of the line. I immediately followed him to prevent mistake. On my way thither I met Colonel Prevost, of the One HunBy this time the One Hundred and Eighteenth dred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, retiring from Pennsylvania, Colonel Prevost, had crossed the the field, disabled by a severe wound in the ford and formed in the road. They were direct-shoulder. I passed rapidly on to the ground oced to follow the Thirteenth and Twenty-fifth cupied by his regiment, and repeated the orders New-York, and to take a similar position below to retire in good order. This order had already the top of the ridge, and to their left. They ac- been communicated to them by Lieutenant Davis, cordingly followed those regiments, and came into my Aid. The regiment, then under the comline below the top of the ridge, as directed. mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Gwyn, had commencThe remaining regiments of the brigade, name-ed falling back; but, owing to their large numly, the First Michigan, Captain E. W. Belton, commanding; the Twenty-second Massachusetts, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel W. S. Tilton, and the Second Maine, Colonel C. W. Roberts, were directed to ascend the ravine by which the Eighteenth Massachusetts had ascend-regiment but little drilled, succeeded in withed, and to form in a similar manner below the top of the ridge, the two former on the right, and the latter on the left of Major Hayes, who was already posted there. These movements were all promptly executed, and in good order. The brigade being thus in position, and suitably protected by the ground in front, skirmishers were advanced to the front, and immediately commenced firing upon those of the enemy, who, by this time, had advanced within musket-range, and were deployed along their whole front in large numbers, and at very short intervals. The information respecting the advance of the enemy, as at first received, was to the effect that the enemy were advancing from the left of the position occupied by my brigade. It was, however, soon perceived that he was not only approaching with a superior force from that direction, but that they were also in equal numbers advancing on our front and on our right, springing, as it were, from the bushes and cornfield, which had concealed them to this time, and making their first appearance within short musket-range. A rapid and vigorous fire commenced immediately, and notwithstanding the vastly superior numbers of the enemy, every man stood his ground firmly, and the line exhibited an undaunted front. The action now becoming general, it was ap parent that the greatly superior force of the enemy would make it necessary for us to retire. The batteries on the opposite side of the river having been brought into position, opened a heavy fire, with good effect, upon the enemy, though from the close proximity of the contending forces it was difficult for them to avoid some damage to our own troops. Some of their shot and shell struck in our rear, and some of the casualties of the day may be attributed to that source. bers and the uneven character of the ground, not without some degree of confusion; Lieut.-Colonel Gwyn, although deprived of the assistance of the Colonel of the regiment, and laboring under the disadvantage of having under his command a drawing them from their perilous position; not without loss, indeed, but in a manner creditable to himself and to the character of his command, both of officers and men, for courage and coolness. They had advanced in the excitement of the contest from the cover of the ridge where they had first formed in line, and were exposed to a galling fire from the enemy, who were protected by a ravine in front of them. The brigade being thus withdrawn, the several regiments recrossed the river in good order, and with but little loss in crossing; a few, however, were fatally wounded in the passage. After crossing, the brigade was re-formed in rear of the Second brigade, upon this side of the river; but after remaining in their position for the greater part of the day, and no further attempt being made by the enemy with the view of crossing, the several regiments withdrew to their respective encampments. It is difficult to do full justice to the gallantry displayed by both officers and men on this occasion without appearing to overstate it. Finding themselves suddenly and unexpectedly attacked by a force so vastly superior, there was no sign of intimidation on the part of any one, and when the order to retire was given, it was received with evident disappointment. I have already submitted in detail the loss in killed, wounded, and missing, to which I beg leave to refer. A summary of the list shows as follows: Killed, 92; wounded, 131; missing, 103. With much respect, I have the honor to be your obedient servant, JAMES BARNES, Colonel Commanding Brigade. |