as the necessary confidence had been gained. White men fight under a great disadvantage the first time they engage Indians. There is something so fiendish in their yells, and terrifying in their appearance when in battle, that it takes a good deal of time to overcome the unpleasant sensation it inspires. Then there is a snake-like stealth in all their movements that excites distrust and uncertainty which unsteadies the nerves at first. they promptly commenced firing the houses, and resisted them, had they returned a second time, advancing behind the smoke. The conflagration became general in the lower part of the town, on both sides of the street, and the bullets flew very thickly both from the bluff and up the street. I thought it prudent to dismount, and direct the defence on foot. Just at this point Capt. Dodd, of St. Peter, and some one else, whose name I do not know, charged down the street, to ascertain (I have since learned) whether some horsemen, seen in the extreme lower town, were not our friends coming in, and were met, about three blocks down, with a heavy volley from behind a house, five bullets passing through Capt. Dodd, and several through his horse. They both turned, and the Captain got in sufficiently near to be received by his friends before he fell. He died about five hours after being hit. Too much cannot be said of his personal bravery and general desire to perform his duty manfully. Capt. Saunders, of the Le Sueur company, was shot through a part of his body shortly after, and retired, placing his rifle in effective hands, and encouraging the men. The fight was going on all around the town during the whole forenoon and part of the afternoon, sometimes with slight advantage to us, and again to the Indians, but the difficulty that stared us in the face, was the gradual but certain approach, up the main street, behind the burning buildings, which promised our destruction. We frequently sallied out and took buildings in advance, but the risk of being picked off from the bluff was unequal to the advantage gained, and the duty was performed with some reluctance by the men. In the lower part of the town I had some of the best men in the State, both as shots and for coolness and determination. It will be sufficient to name two as types of a class of the best fighting men - Asa White and Newell Houghton-known to all old settlers. They did very effective service in checking the advance, both by their unerring rifles and the good examples their steadiness placed before the younger men. We discovered a concentration of Indians on the side of the street toward the river, and at the rear of the buildings, and expected a rush upon the town from that position, the result of which I feared more than any thing else, as the boys had proved unequal to it in the morning, and we were not disappointed, for in a few moments they came on ponies and on foot, furiously, about sixty in number, charging round a point of a little grove of oaks. This was the critical point of the day, but four or five hours under fire had brought the boys up to the fighting temperature, and they stood firmly and advanced with a cheer, routing the rascals like sheep. They received us with a very hot fire, killing Houghton, and an elderly gentleman, whose name I did not know. As they fled in a crowd at very short range, we gave them a volley that was very effectual, and settled the fortunes of the day in our favor, for they did not dare to try it over. I think, after once repulsing them in a fair fight, we could have successfully After this repulse the battle raged until dark without sufficient advantage on one side or the other to merit mention in detail, when the savages drew off, firing only an occasional shot from under close cover. After dark we decreased the extent of our lines of barricades, and I deemed it prudent to order all the buildings outside to be burned, in order to prevent their having come from behind which to annoy us. We were compelled to consume about forty valuable buildings, but as it was a military necessity, the inhabitants did not demur, but themselves applied the torch cheerfully. In a short time we had a fair field before us of open prairie, with the exception of a large square brick building, which we held, and had loop-holed in all the stories, on all sides, which commanded a long portion of our front toward the bluff. We also dug a system of rifle-pits on that front, outside the barricades, about four rods apart, which completed our defences. That night we slept very little, every man being at the barricades all night, each third man being allowed to sleep at intervals. In the morning the attack was renewed, but not with much vigor, and subsided about noon. During the day a body of men appeared in the lower town, and turned out to be a detachment of one hundred and fifty volunteers, from Nicollet and Sibley counties, under Capt. E. St. Julien Cox, which had been forwarded to our relief by Col. Sibley. They had about fifty Austrian rifles, and the balance were armed with shot-guns and hunting-rifles. Their appearance inspired us with gladness, as things were becoming doubtful. I held a council of the officers, and we determined to attempt an evacuation of the town, carrying off all the inhabitants, women, children, sick and wounded, to the number of about two thousand. This movement was a very perilous one to undertake with the force at our command, but the confined state of the town was rapidly producing disease among the women and children, who were huddled in cellars and close rooms, like sheep in a cattle-car, and we were fast be coming short of ammunition and provisions. I feared the result of another attack by a larger force, and all the people decided that they would abandon the town the first opportunity, as resi dence there was impossible under the circumstances. At daylight next morning the barricades were broken, and the wagons taken out and put in motion. The scene was one of indescribable con fusion and destruction. The poor people, naturally desirous of carrying off all they could, filled their wagons with boxes and baggage, to the exclusion (as we found before the train was complete) of many of the women and wounded. I was, therefore, compelled to order all articles of a bulky nature to be tumbled out, and their places supplied by more valuable freight. It was hard, but necessary, and the inhabitants yielded with less reluctance than I had anticipated. Capt. Dane with one hundred horses, has yet reached that part of the country, which is at this moment utterly defenceless, éxcept so far as he is capable of holding it. The citizen volunteers that went to the assistance of New-Ulm, disbanded pretty generally on their return, being barefooted, overworked, and required at their homes. I wish your Excellency would turn the tide of soldiers flowing into the valley to the Blue Earth region, from which the whole southern part of the State can be protected, and efficient coöperation afforded the column advancing upon the north side of the Minnesota. Hoping my operations may meet your approval, I am truly your obedient servant, CHARLES E. FLANDRAU, Commanding West of the Minnesota. Doc. 193. THE FIGHT NEAR DANVILLE, KY. About nine A.M. we moved with one hundred and fifty-three wagon-loads of women, children, sick, and wounded, and a large company on foot. Lieut. Cox took the general disposition of the escort, and the various commands were posted so as best to protect the whole in case of attack. It was a melancholy spectacle to see two thousand people, who, a few days before, had been prosperous and happy, reduced to utter beggary, starting upon a journey of thirty miles, through a hostile country, every inch of which we expected to be called upon to defend from an attack, the issue of which was life or horrid butchery. Beggary, starvation, and probable destruction DANVILLE, KY., August 26, 1862. were at one end of the road; a doubtful escape OUR usually quiet village has been to-day all from the latter at the other. We took the latter ablaze with excitement. Last evening, about six alternative, and, under Providence, got through. o'clock, intelligence was received that a large During the battle we lost, as near as I can as- party of recruits for the confederate army, gathcertain, about ten killed and fifty wounded. I ered from adjacent counties, principally from Nelcan give you no accurate detail of either, as the son, was within ten miles of our town, on their casualties occurred among citizens, soldiers, and way towards Somerset, to join the rebel forces. strangers. The physicians, of whom, fortunately, now invading Kentucky. The party was variously we had a good supply, may have kept some hos-estimated at from three hundred to six hundred. pital lists, but I have been too much occupied to ascertain. I was satisfied to know the wounded were well cared for, without knowing who they were. I was seconded ably and bravely by all the officers and most of the men of the companies, and many citizens from different parts of the State, and strangers who were present, so uniform was their good conduct and valuable their services that one could not be mentioned without naming all. There were several cases of abandonment immediately preceding the attack, which, if designed to evade the struggle, were disgraceful in the extreme, and unworthy of Americans. But as they may have arisen from other causes, I will not report the names of the parties. Many narrow escapes occurred during the protracted fight. Several persons were shot through the hat. One young man received three bullets through the pantaloons in rapid succession, without being hurt in the least. We did not burn the town on leaving, thinking possibly that the Indians might not return and destroy it, and not deeming it much of a defence for them should they occupy it on our return. It was my design that the country between New-Ulm and Mankato should be immediately reoccupied by our troops, and the ground, temporarily lost by our withdrawal, regained at once by fresh troops, well equipped, and capable of remaining on the field; and I looked for material of that sort for the business, on my arrival, but not a soldier from the regular service, except Later in the evening more definite word was brought as to their position and probable route, though their numbers could not be ascertained. About nine o'clock P.M. a body of home guards from Danville, about fifty in number, partly on horseback and partly in wagons, proceeded, under the command of Capt. Chiles, some six miles out on the Hustonville road, and came upon the rebels, who had taken violent possession of the house and premises of John Shelby, Esq. It was a complete surprise. The small force under his command was skilfully handled by Capt. Chiles; and though comparatively an undisciplined body, but recently organized, his men conducted themselves admirably. It was a necessary result of the time, the place, and the circumstances, that the fighting on both sides should be somewhat promiscuous, and a good deal of it from under cover of trees, fences, etc. Soon after the engagement was commenced, a body of men were heard advancing upon the rear of our forces. This was generally believed to be a party of rebels, endeavoring to surround us, and our guards withdrew to a safer position. The advancing body proved to be some fifty home guards from Harrodsburgh, who had gallantly pushed forward to take part in the fray. They soon engaged the enemy, but finding themselves outnumbered greatly, were compelled gradually to retire. It was impossible, in the darkness, to effect a junction of the Union forces, and therefore all was not accomplished that might have been ob tained under more favorable circumstances. Still completely demolishing five freight-cars and pilthe skirmish was a decided success. The results foot up as follows: On the side of the rebels, killed, three; wounded, twelve, of whom five are believed to be mortally wounded; prisoners, thirty-six; in all, fifty-one. The number of horses taken is variously stated from twenty to forty. On the Union side, one man was killed, and two slightly wounded. The Union man was shot by one of our own pickets, but no censure is attached to the man who shot him. Under the circumstances, as reported, he could have done nothing else. Throughout the affair, there was no little danger of the two home guard companies firing upon each other. Had there been a union of forces and concerted action, the prisoners taken freely admit that the whole rebel command, which they state to have been two hundred and fifty in number, might have been captured. ing the broken timbers up into one mass. Three men are reported killed and several severely wounded. The conductor and the engineer of the train from Manassas were badly injured, and the locomotive was somewhat damaged. The rebel cavalry, after firing, apparently were reenforced, for they at once rode on to Manassas, reaching there about nine o'clock, between two and three thousand strong. At Manassas they encountered the Eleventh New-York battery, which was evidently taken by surprise, although it is said sufficient warning had been given of the approach of the rebels to enable the men in charge to move off several Government trains loaded with stores. The New-York soldiers, although thrown into great confusion by the sudden dash of the rebel cavalry, fought as bravely as men could. They, at the first onset, lost four of their eight Whilst there is room for regret that more was guns. It was the first time they had been under not effected, the due meed of praise should not fire, and so completely were they taken by surbe denied to the officers and men who so gallant-prise, that the officer in command, supposing the ly and successfully encountered a largely superior rebel cavalry to be Union troops, called to them force. not to press him too hard, or he would not be able to use his pieces. The prisoners were taken at once to Lexington. UNION. The regular train, which should have arrived here last night at ten o'clock, was attacked by about four hundred of Stuart's cavalry, under command of Lee, at Bristow, a place some four miles and a half west of Manassas. The first intimation the passengers had of the approaching danger was a sudden shock, occasioned by the engine running into a pile of ties placed upon the track. Fortunately the machine was going at a high rate of speed, and the obstruction was removed without throwing the train from the track. The rebel cavalry had undoubtedly concluded upon no such result, for they were drawn up in line on each side of the track. The moment, however, they discovered that their design had been frustrated, they fired upon the train, killing one man on top of a car, and slightly wounding several inside. The engineer pulled out the throttle of his engine, and the train was rapidly driven up to Manassas, thence to Bull Run bridge, about four miles east of Manassas, where it encountered a train standing on the track, loaded with soldiers, The rebels, thinking they had an easy thing, when within a few yards of the guns commenced yelling like demons, and rushed upon the battery. Several soldiers were sabred at their guns. Those who could fought nobly, but with what result is not definitely known. Most of them, however, were killed or taken prisoners. At the time of the entry of the rebels into Manassas there were but three or four companies of infantry that had accidentally been left there by a train that went up a few hours before. The rebels, getting possession of the place, commenced the promiscuous destruction of every thing that came within their reach. They tore up the track, smashed the cars, cut the telegraphwires, destroyed several buildings and a considerable amount of Government stores. Before arriving at Manassas, it is believed they blew up the Broad Run bridge, as a light was seen and an explosion heard in that direction. It is also thought they destroyed considerable of the track. This morning, at eight o'clock, heavy cannonading was heard at Manassas, and it is supposed General Pope has attacked the rebels in front and rear. Probably a more bold and desperate raid has not occurred during the history of any war. That it was a raid and nothing else is evident from the fact that it would have been impossible for any considerable force to have got in the rear of Gen. Pope's army. That excitable people will magnify this affair into one of great importance, there can be no doubt, but to those who know, as well as your correspondent does, the immense military power of our Government, and the doom that is surely awaiting the rebels, this little trick of the traitors will seem of no consequence. Doc. 195. FIGHT NEAR BOLIVAR, TENN. COLONEL CROCKER'S REPORT. BOLIVAR, TENN., August 30, 1862. Headquarters Second DivisiON, DISTRICT OF JACKSON, Captain A. H. Ryan, A.D. C. and Chief of Staff: COLONEL LEGGETT, commanding first brigade, was sent out by me this morning on the Grand Junction road with one regiment of his brigade, four companies of the Second Illinois cavalry, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Hogg; two companies of the Second Illinois cavalry, under command of Major Puterbaugh, and one section of artillery, with instructions to drive off a force of the enemy's cavalry, supposed to be one hundred and fifty strong, and reconnoitre the country. When arriving at the ground Col. Leggett at once became engaged with a large force of the enemy's cavalry. The engagement lasted about seven hours, mostly skirmishing, but occasionally becoming a hand-to-hand fight, our forces repelling charges of the enemy's cavalry. About four o'clock in the afternoon the enemy drew back, and Col. Leggett receiving reënforcements about that time, they did not renew the attack. I then ordered Col. Leggett to fall back with his entire force to a position inside our picket-lines, where he is now stationed, expecting a renewal of the attack at daylight. We have had in killed and wounded about twenty-five, Lieut.-Col. Hogg, of the Second Illinois cavalry, among the number. During the engagement to-day all the men, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, behaved with the greatest gallantry, and though opposed to largely superior numbers, not only maintained their ground, but drove the enemy back. The force of the enemy engaged was seven regiments of cavalry. Yours, respectfully, M. M. CROCKER, Colonel Thirteenth Iowa Volunteers, Commanding Second Division, District of Jackson, at Bolivar, Tenn. REPORT OF COLONEL LEGGETT. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, BOLIVAR, TENN., September 1, 1862. Colonel M. M. Crocker, Commanding Post: I have the honor to report, that about seven o'clock A.M., of August thirtieth, I received from you, orders to take a portion of my command, one section of the Ninth Indiana battery, and two companies of the Eleventh Illinois cavalry, and drive back a force of rebel cavalry, reported to be about four hundred strong, upon the Grand Junction road and near our lines. at a moment's notice. The cavalry and artillery had orders to meet me at the picket-post on the Grand Junction road, but, on arriving at that point, I found that neither had got there. I left Force, to escort the artillery when it should arthe infantry at that point under command of Col. rive. With my staff, I pressed rapidly on to the front to prevent, if possible, an engagement until my main force could come up. When I reached the advance, I found the two companies of the Twentieth Ohio and the mounted infantry deployed in a piece of woodland on the Van Buren road, about five and a half miles from Bolivar, and briskly skirmishing with the enemy. I immediately discovered that we had been deceived as to the number of the rebels, and sent back for the balance of my command to come forward as rapidly as possible. Shortly afterward the two companies of the Eleventh Illinois cavalry, under Major S. D. Puterbaugh, numbering in all forty men, came up. The nature of the ground being such that cavalry could not be used, some twelve or fourteen of those who had carbines dismounted and formed with the infantry. After driving the enemy steadily, but slowly, for three fourths of a mile, I gained a position where I had a distinct view of the foe, and found that I was contending with a force of over six thousand, instead of three or four hundred. I then notified you of the fact, and asked for reenforcements, which were promptly supplied; but the distance from camp being over six miles, it necessarily took several hours to get infantry reenforcements upon the ground. At this time I would have withdrawn my little force from the contest, having less than one man to twenty of the enemy, but the nature of the ground over which I would have been obliged to retreat was such, that my force must have been annihilated had I attempted to escape from such overwhelming numbers. I had not men enough to retreat, and consequently had no choice left but to fight until support could reach me. After we had been engaged about two hours, six companies of the Twentieth Ohio, under Col. Force, came up, also two pieces of artillery under Lieut. W. Hight, of the Ninth Indiana battery. Two of these companies were immediately deployed to relieve the cavalry and mounted infantry, that they might be held in readiness to meet any flank movement of the enemy. There being no adequate support for the artillery, I dare not bring it into action, but sent it about a mile to the rear, to take a position at the junction of the Van Buren and Middleburgh road, and await reënforcement. Col. Force, of the Twentieth Ohio, having received information that a small rebel force was menacing our pickets, very properly took the reAbout noon I discovered that the sponsibility, in my absence, of sending out two enemy were making a determined effort to flank companies, under Major Fry of his command, to us upon the right, and get to our rear upon the guard the lines and feel of the enemy. On arriv- Middleburgh road. Leaving Col. Force in coming at my headquarters, I immediately sent forty-mand on the Van Buren road, I took the two five of my mounted infantry to support the two companies of the Eleventh Illinois cavalry and companies sent out by Col. Force, and followed mounted infantry, and passed over the Middleas rapidly as possible with the balance of the burgh road, where we found the enemy advancTwentieth Ohio, and three companies of the Seving in large numbers. The infantry immediately enty-eighth Ohio, leaving orders for the remainder dismounted and engaged the enemy with great of the Seventy-eighth Ohio to be ready to march vigor and determination, and, after a desperate struggle of over an hour, drove them back. Just at the close of the struggle Captain Chandler, of the Seventy-eighth Ohio, came upon the ground with the remaining two companies of the Twentieth Ohio, and two companies of the Seventyeighth Ohio. These four companies were at once deployed upon the right and left of the Middleburgh road, and engaged the enemy's skirmishers. The firing having ceased on the Van Buren road, I sent orders to Col. Force to leave a sufficient guard to protect our left from a surprise, and bring the balance of his command to the Middleburgh road, where it was evident that the enemy were organizing for the purpose of making a determined effort to break our lines, to reach our rear. The infantry reënforcements had not arrived. The balance of the Seventy-eighth Ohio was reported close by, but not near enough to support the artillery; hence it could not be used. At this moment Lieut.-Col. Harvey Hogg, of the Second Illinois cavalry, came up with orders from you to report to me upon the field, with four companies of his command. I immediately assigned him a position on the right of the road; but discovering that the enemy would probably make a cavalry charge upon us before Col. Force could reach me from the Van Buren road, I asked Col. Hogg if he could hold a position on the left of the road, and a little to the front of where he then was, against a charge from the rebel cavalry He promptly said he could, and besought me to give him the position, which was done. He had not completed his change of place before the enemy charged down the line of the road in vast numbers, but meeting the deadly fire of the four infantry companies under command of Capt. Chandler, they were compelled to retreat, leaving many of their horses and men strewn upon the ground. They twice repeated their attempt to get possession of the road, and were both times repulsed by the companies under Captain Chandler. They then threw the fences and entered the field upon our left, and opened fire upon Col. Hogg's cavalry and the two companies of the Twentieth Ohio, attached to Capt. Chandler's command. The infantry and cavalry returned the fire briskly and with terrible effect. I then discovered that a full regiment of cavalry was forming in the rear of those firing upon us, evidently with the determination of charging upon our cavalry, and that portion of the infantry on the left of the road. I said to Col. Hogg, if he had any doubt about holding his position, he had better fall back and not receive their charge. He promptly replied: "Col. Leggett, for God's sake don't order me back!" I replied: "Meet them with a charge, Colonel, and may Heaven bless you." He immediately ordered his men to draw their sabres, and after giving the order to "forward," he exclaimed, "Give them cold steel, boys!" and darting ahead of his men, he fell pierced with nine balls. The next instant the two maddened lines came together with a clash of arms sublimely terrible. The enemy wavered and gave partially away, but Col. Hogg having fallen in full view of his men, and no other officer for the moment assuming command, our cavalry became partially disorganized and fell back a short distance, when Capt. M. H. Musser, of company F, Second Illinois cavalry, took command and soon put them in shape for fighting again. The struggle between the rebel cavalry and companies G and K of the Twentieth Ohio infantry, who were deployed on the left of the Second Illinois cavalry, was, if possible, still more determined and angry. Our men engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy, and in fighting fifty times their own number, they displayed a determined, persistent courage seldom exhibited upon the battlefield. Seven companies of the Seventy-eighth Ohio, under Major D. F. Carnahan, and Colonel Force's command from the Van Buren road, coming up at this time, they formed in line to support the artillery. I ordered a slow retreat of the advanced line and brought the enemy within range, when Lieut. Hight, of the Ninth Indiana battery, opened upon them with shot and shell, and caused them to break and disperse in great disorder. Thus ended a contest of seven and a half hours, in which less than nine hundred of our brave soldiers met, and drove from the field, over six thousand well-officered and well-armed rebels. To make mention of all who distinguished themselves for courage and gallantry on the battlefield would require the naming of every officer and man engaged. Every one did his full duty, more than could be reasonably asked. Not a man faced to the rear until he was ordered or carried back. Several fought after they were wounded, until the loss of blood rendered them unable to stand. It would be unjust, however, not to name Col. M. F. Force, of the Twentieth Ohio, whose coolness and courage inspired all who saw him. Major Fry, of the Twentieth Ohio, who commanded the advance when the attack was first made in the morning, was in the thickest of the fight all day. Lieut. Ayres, of the Twentieth Ohio, and Lieut. Munson, of the Seventy-eighth Ohio, who together commanded the mounted infantry, and without whose efforts we must have lost the day. Lieut. Hills, Twentieth Ohio, displayed great energy and bravery in snatching our dead and wounded from the very hands of the enemy. Capt. Kaga and Lieut. Melick, of the Twentieth Ohio, for the adroit management of their companies, and their indomitable courage. Captain Chandler, of the Seventy-eighth Ohio, whose coolness and bravery in manoeuvring the four companies under his command were observable by all who saw him. Capt. G. F. Wiles, Lieut. W. W. McCarty, and Second Lieutenants Roberts and Scales, all of the Seventy-eighth Ohio, are deserving of the highest praise for their personal valor, and for their skill in extricating their companies when entirely surrounded by the enemy. Major S. D. Puterbaugh and Capt Otto Funke, |