a V. Instantly forming our line of battle, with ST. LOUIS "DEMOCRAT" ACCOUNT. The battle of the seventh of July, near " Bayou Cache," won against tremendous odds, resulted in the death of over one hundred and ten rebels and the utter demoralization of six Texan regiments, who have not ventured to molest us since. The army under General Curtis was encamped at the junction of the Bayou Cache and Cache River, where our progress was delayed by a blockade of fallen timber. A road had been cut through this blockade on the evening of the sixth, and early next morning Colonel Hovey, of the Thirty-third Illinois regiment, was ordered by General Steele to open the road on the opposite side of the Cache, make a reconnoissance in front down to the Clarendon road, along which the army were to march, and also to scour the woods thoroughly. Colonel Hovey detailed for this enterprise the following force: Colonel Harris, of the Eleventh Wisconsin, with parts of four companies of his regiment, namely, company D, Captain Jesse Miller; company F, Lieutenant Chesebro; company H, Captain Christie; company G, Captain Partridge; and also parts of four companies of the Thirty-third Illinois, namely, company E, Captain Elliott; company K, Captain Nixon; company F, Captain Lawton; and company A, Captain Potter, who took charge, and one small rifled gun belonging to the First Indiana cavalry. The whole force numbered not over three hundred and fifty men. Colonel Hovey started about six A.M., with company D, of the Eleventh Wisconsin, ahead. Skirmishers were thrown out, and in this way they proceeded to the Hill plantation, at the forks of the road, four miles distant from camp. On the way some pickets were driven in. The main road here leads to Cotton Plant and Clarendon. The road to the left is a neighborhood road, while that turning to the side leads across the Cache, four miles distant, and thence to the Des Arc, on the White River. Detachments were sent forward on each of these roads to reconnoitre. Colonel Harris, with three companies of the Eleventh Wisconsin, and Captain Potter, with the small rifle piece, proceeded rapidly down the Des Arc road, having no cavalry. They passed a cornfield on the left, entered an open wood, and reaching a turn in the road, at the same time rising up in elevation, they fell in with two Texan regiments of cavalry, with a regiment of conscript infantry drawn up on their right, ready to receive them. The rebels fired a murderous volley as soon as our men got into the snare, killing five of our men and wounding Colonel Harris and Captain Potter. Our men returned the fire and fell back, the enemy being too preponderating in After a short rest, we proceeded, with seven numbers to withstand with our little force. Capadditional companies of infantry, under the com-tain Potter, though wounded, gave them a few mand of Lieut.-Col. Wood of the Eleventh Wisconsin regiment, to the bridge across Bayou de View, as before mentioned. I have the honor to be rounds from his piece, and fell back, firing into the enemy's ranks. The rebels then made a charge, and the retreat of our men became temporarily a panic. Colonel Hovey hearing the firing, and judging the turn affairs were taking by the clouds of dust which rose and filled the air above the trees, took the remaining companies of the Thirty-third Illinois, and hastened to the scene of action. Some of the men first fired upon, did not stop till they reached Hill's house, rushing past Captain Potter, who would unlimber his gun, fire a round, and then retire, thus checking the advance of the rebels until Colonel Hovey came up. The latter had hardly time to place his men in ambush behind the fence, at the angle of the corn-field, when the rebels, coming furiously forward with loud yells, received a wellaimed fire from Colonel Hovey and his men. Twenty-five rebels were killed the first pop. They were checked. The column reeled and staggered by this murderous fire, broke and the men fled in confusion. At the same time a heavy column of the enemy was seen moving through the woods between Colonel Hovey's position and our camp, and thus surround our brave men. But when they reached the road, and seeing the Wisconsin troops which had fallen back, and supposing them to be a reënforcement come to our aid, they abandoned their design and returned. Thus what appeared to be disastrous at one time, turned to our advantage. Colonel Hovey rallied the above companies, and advancing one fourth of a mile to a cotton-gin, held the position over an hour. At this time, (about half-past ten o'clock,) Lieutenant-Colonel Wood came up with the second battalion of the First Indiana cavalry, bringing with him two steel rifled guns. This detachment had been ordered by General Curtis to proceed to the Bayou de View-fifteen miles from campwith orders to save the bridge at that point from being destroyed by the enemy. The arrival of this reënforcement proved extremely opportune. Colonel Hovey was posted about one hundred and fifty yards from Colonel Hill's house on the Des Arc road, and the army were not in view. Coming up at full speed, having heard the firing, the First Indiana were welcomed with enthusiastic cheers from the brave little command of Colonel Hovey. The latter exclaimed, "There comes Colonel Wood; we are all right now, boys;" and advancing to Colonel Wood, he said: "You'll find them (the enemy) down there, Colonel, thick enough; pitch into 'em." The cavalry, with shouts and yells, then plunged forward at a furious rate toward the rebels. The horses leaped a ditch four feet in width, which crossed their path, the bridge being torn up. One of the horses had a leg broken, and some of the men were pitched to the ground, while making the perilous leap. Fortunately, none were seriously hurt. A few rails were piled into the ditch and the steel rifle guns were passed over. A solitary rebel was now seen advancing to within one hundred yards of our front. He wheeled about and fled. The pieces, under charge of Lieutenant Baker, were unlimbered and the cavalry brought into line of battle. The command was given: "Pieces by hand to the front; forward, march." The cannoniers seized their pieces by hand, and advanced on the enemy, the latter being now discovered advancing in with extended wings in the form of a V, the concave side facing toward our men. Their attention, it appeared evident, was to surround us. The rebels were dismounted, no horses being seen. Our pieces were loaded with canister, and getting within point-blank range - some two hundred yards-we opened upon them with a terrible fire. The enemy halted and replied by a heavy volley from their cross-fire on our gunners. Several of the latter were wounded, but not disabled. The steel rifled guns now belched forth a continued round of firing, when the enemy finding it too hot, fell back into the woods out of sight. The command was given again: "Pieces by hand to the front; forward, march." Colonel Hovey himself, caught hold of the trail of one of the guns, and exclaimed: "Let's push them for ward, boys." Colonel Wood and Lieutenant Baker also took hold of the drag-rope hooks, and assisted in moving the guns forward. On the guns were pushed, the cavalry under Major Clendenning following in line of battle, ready for the charge. Our men pressed on with enthusiastic ardor. Advancing in this way a quarter of a mile, the enemy were descried formed in the same mode as before. We got up to within one hundred yards, when they opened fire upon us. We returned the fire with canister from the little guns, with occasional carbine and pistol-shots from the cannoniers. The fire proving too galling for the enemy, he again retreated, leaving a number of dead strewn on the ground, and the blood besmeared the bushes in the vicinity. The order was given by Colonel Wood, to Major Clendenning to draw sabre and charge. Taking companies E and G, the Major shouted, "Come on, boys, it's our turn now; "and plunged down the road into the brush, where they were met by a tremendous volley, poured in on them by the rebels. At the first fire the Major was wounded severely, receiving a ball through the left lung; and Captain Sloane of company E, who was bravely charging in front, was instantly killed by a shot in the head. The Major, unmindful of his wound, still led on his men, and the latter poured in several volleys on the rebels from their carbines and pistols, unhorsing one and killing a number of the enemy. The rebels were stagger ed, and turning on their heels, fled in confusion. Our artillery followed close up, when the recall was sounded, and the cavalry fell back behind the pieces. Major Clendenning, in returning fainted and fell from his horse, and was picked up by one of the men, who carried him off the field on his shoulders. The pieces were then limbered up and pushed forward in hot pursuit, the cavalry keeping close in the rear. In this way we advanced three fourths of a mile, when small parties of the rebels were discovered, still retreating. The guns were again unlimbered, and a dozen shells were thrown after them, killing four, who were found at a long distance ahead in the road, soon afterward, by the pursuing cavalry. Colonel Hovey now ordered the infantry to the front, intending to deploy them as skirmishers, with an extended front, and fol low up the foe. A consultation was held by the officers, and it was decided to hold the ground stances of the case demanded, by Doctor F. N. We encamped for the night on the side toward Clarendon. Major Bowen dashed down eight miles before dark and reported the road clear. already won, and wait further developments, as our force was getting too far from succor, in a country with which we were perfectly ignorant. The woods were thick - the force of the enemy unknown. We had driven the enemy three miles. After halting there two hours, and no enemy making his appearance, Lieutenant-Colonel Wood returned to the Clarendon road and went to the Bayou du View to carry out his original intention. General Benton came up with his brigade and took command. In camp it was supposed that the fight took place on another road, and consequently General Benton's orders were to make a rapid reconnoissance down the Des Arc road. Bowen's howitzers were pushed forward down one road after the enemy. A shot was fired on the rebels and three men killed. Four kegs of powder were found concealed. The houses along the road were filled with rebel wounded, and the porches and door-steps were besmeared with blood from those which they carried away. They abandoned their camp and fled across the Cache River, destroying a bridge they had constructed with boats. The bank on the opposite side was also cut out very steep so as to prevent pursuit from our cavalry. It has been subsequently ascertained that six thousand Texans, James W. McMillin, Colonel Twenty-first Indiunder Rust, crossed at Des Arc on Sunday, the ana Volunteers, Commanding Post: sixth, for the purpose of fighting us near the SIR: In obedience to order of Lieut.-Col. Clark, blockade, and annoy and obstruct our advance in Sixth Michigan volunteers, then commanding every possible way. But the whipping they re-post, I, with forty of McGee's cavalry, under ceived has entirely knocked the conceit out of them. The tact, fertility of resource, and military qualities displayed by Colonel Hovey has won the admiration of all. He is cool and brave in the trying hour of danger. I was present on the evening of the fight, when General Steele congratulated the Colonel on the successful issue of the day. Among the heroes of the day who behaved with distinguished gallantry, the names of Colonel Harris, of the Eleventh Wisconsin, Captain Petter, of the Thirty-third Illinois, Major Clendenning, of the First Indiana cavalry, stand conspicuous. Doc. 83. SKIRMISH AT BATON ROUGE, LA. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL KEITH'S OFFICIAL REPORT. CAMP TWENTY-FIRST INDIANA VOLUNTEERS, BATON ROUGE, July —, 1862. •} Capt. McGee, started from the camp of the Twenty-first Indiana volunteers, at seven o'clock P.M., of the twenty-seventh of June, to make such reconnoissance as in my opinion seemed best. Following the Greensburgh road nineteen miles, we crossed to the Camp Moore road by an unfrequented path, distance six miles. Nine miles from where this path intersected the lastnamed road we breakfasted and fed our horses. At eight o'clock A.M. we resumed our march twelve miles further, in the direction of Camp Moore; then we crossed to the Greenburgh road, capturing on the way a guerrilla. On arriving at the road we captured three priThe enemy's killed has been placed at one hun-soners and the horse of a fourth, who escaped, dred and ten, and by the Arkansas people, in sympathy with the rebels, still higher. They think two hundred were killed. We buried ninety-seven of their dead, and I think this will be the number that Colonel Hovey will adopt in his report. The number of rebel wounded will not probably amount to the usual proportion with the killed, as our Minie balls hit to kill. Our killed amounted to five, and wounded forty-seven. The enemy's shots flew too high to take effect. One of our messengers, taken prisoner by the enemy, was found riddled with balls in the side. His wrists were pricked raw, and the report was current that he was tied to a tree and dispatched, but this is doubted. Corporal Medley, of company F, Eleventh Wisconsin, was wounded in the arm, and brought away a wounded comrade, and then went back into the fight. Our wounded were taken to the house, and every care was taken of the sufferers which the circum under fire, by taking to the woods. Two of the prisoners were members of Capt. Terrill's Mississippi cavalry, and well armed. I learned that he, with his company of one hundred and ten men, was encamped at Williams's Bridge, across the Amite River, on the Greensburgh road, eight miles distant. I determined to surprise him and destroy his camp. The camp is only a mile from the Clinton road. There are three bridges to cross on the Port Hudson road, before reaching the camp, the furthest not more than half a mile removed. On reaching the first bridge I left Capt. McGee in the rear with instructions, and with twenty men pushed rapidly forward. We saw no pickets until we reached the Amite bridge, (the last one.) These we hailed by my advance. They fled without giving any alarm. One shot was fired after them, when one of them was seen to fall. Seventy rods from the bridge we were brought killed — Hammon D. Wagner and Joseph Shoener. The wounded were Oliver S. Locke, George Haynes, John Buckner, and Daniel Borne, together with a negro whom we captured in camp, and who has since died from the effect of his wounds. Seven of the prisoners escaped. Two of the guard over them were killed, and two had their horses shot under them, and two others were wounded. Four of our horses were killed, among them my own. in front of the encampment. Here we delivered field opposite the woods. Our loss was two a volley and charged in upon them. The volley seemed to be the first notice to the inmates of our approach. The effect may well be imagined. A general stampede ensued, in which every thing not in actual possession at the time was abandoned. Accompanied by five of the men, I crossed a small trench in the direction taken by the enemy in their flight, when, on ascending the bank, a volley of twenty rounds was poured into us from a thicket immediately in front, and at a distance of not more than thirty paces. We reWe were not further molested, and at sunrise turned the fire with our revolvers. I then or- resumed our march, reaching camp at half-past dered the rear, who were across the trench, to eleven o'clock on the morning of the twenty-ninth move forward to our support. This they refused inst., with eight prisoners and all the horses and to do, but remained in the hollow, seemingly other property, together with our dead and paralyzed at this sudden show of resistance. We wounded. The property has been disposed of continued firing with our revolvers, and received a second volley, at which time Capt. McGee was heard dashing across the bridge with the reserve. Seeing this, the enemy fled precipitately under our fire. by Capt. McGee. We had, on reaching camp, marched ninety-six miles, neither man nor horse having had a morsel of food for thirty-two hours of the time, and the men, with the exception of three hours of that time, were constantly in the saddle. The Captain's arrival was well timed, for every man with me had discharged his shots. Six of Capt. McGee deserves the greatest praise for us fired over thirty shots. Our loss was Sergeant the timely aid rendered when we were attacked Marshall, wounded in the thigh, badly, and one first by the enemy, and also for his coolness durhorse killed. The enemy's loss is not certainly ing the time we were under fire at night, and for known, but was at least four killed, seven prison- his efforts in allaying the panic which for a moers, twenty horses, three mules, and a wagon ment prevailed among some of his men at that laden with provisions and forage, besides a quan- time. Too much credit cannot be given Sertity of arms, accoutrements, saddles, horse-equip-geants Marshall and Parsons, private Miller, and age, and ammunition which were captured. The Sergeant Brown for their courage and brave conmost valuable of the articles, or so much as we duct in receiving the two volleys in the camp of could transport, were brought away; the residue, with all the commissary and quartermaster's stores, forage, blankets, and camp equipage was burned or otherwise destroyed. I brought with me all the company books and papers. It was between twelve and one o'clock when we charged upon the camp. Dinner was just prepared. the enemy, and their subsequent conduct that night. Trusting that my action in the premises may meet your approbation, I am, with respect, your obedient servant, JOHN A. KEITH, Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-first Indiana Volunteers. Doc. 84. A REBEL SOLDIER'S DIARY OF THE "ENEMY'S APPROACH TO AND WITHDRAWAL Not having a force that would justify me in pursuing the enemy in his flight, we immediately took up our march homeward. We had arrived within eighteen miles of this place, when, about nine o'clock P.M., two enfilading volleys were fired into our rear from a point of woods at the turn of the road. At the point whence the firing proceeded the road turns to the right, and the May 17.-Enemy sounding Stono Channel in left-hand side is skirted by woods with a thick barges. One fired on from Goat Island by rifleundergrowth. When the firing opened the rear-men, and driven off. guard had passed. The fire was returned by them. We had fourteen prisoners, seventy horses, and a mule-team, laden with the fruits of our capture, to encumber us for a short time. The greatest confusion prevailed. The horses that had been ridden by the prisoners, with those being led and others that had lost their riders, came dashing down the road furiously. For a while the men seemed panic-stricken, but in five minutes' time we were in a condition to receive an attack, if any was contemplated, which we fully expected. In the mean time we ascertained that the enemy fled upon delivering the second volley, which was done within fifteen seconds after the first volley. We gathered up our killed and wounded and encamped in the May 19.-Several of the enemy's gunboats attempted to enter Stono Inlet; one ran aground and all put back. May 20.-Three gunboats crossed the Bar and entered the Stono River about three o'clock A.M. One ran up and anchored a little below Battery Island, commanding the old (river) route from Coles's Island-the enemy thinking, probably, to cut off our troops on Coles's Island. Lieut.-Col. Ellison Capers, Twenty-fourth regiment SouthCarolina volunteers, commanding on Coles's Island, withdrew his force, (two companies,) under standing orders, to James Island, by the new (back) and scarcely completed route over Dixon's Island. Capt. L. Buist, Palmetto Guard, commanding on Battery Island, withdrew his force, emy. (two companies,) under similar orders, also to Lieut. Col. Charles H. Simonton commanding; James Island. By like orders, the buildings on the Charleston battalion, Lieut.-Col. P. C. GailColes's and on Battery Islands were fired by our lard commanding; the cavalry companies of Capt. men before retiring. Volumes of smoke from W. L. Disher and of Capt. McKewn, and the burning buildings. Our men on the qui vive. being the headquarters of Brig.-Gen. S. R. Gist, On appearance of a gunboat off mouth of Folly commanding on the island. Our batteries reRiver, carronade on marsh battery, near Folly sponded rigorously. No damage done by the River, thrown overboard by those in charge. enemy, except to a horse, which had his leg broColes's and Battery Islands shelled by the en-ken by a shell that passed through an out-house just behind the General's headquarters, and exMay 21.—Six of our pickets, of Capt. Jones's ploded. After firing for about an hour, the encompany, Twenty-fourth regiment South Caroli-emy withdrew. No damage, up to this time, na volunteers, made prisoners on Battery Island. done by the enemy's firing, except to horses. Expecting, apparently, the enemy to pass by, Evening.-More than twenty vessels in sight without discovering them, they, instead of with-off Charleston Bar and Stono Inlet, and in Stono drawing, hid themselves in the magazine on the River. Enemy reported as being on James Island, approach of a gunboat up the Stono. Enemy saw at the point nearest Battery Island, and as havthem and landed. Legare's, on James Island, ing driven in our pickets. Capt. Carlos Tracy, shelled this day by a gunboat slowly going up volunteer aid to Gen. Gist, and Lieut. Winter, Wassamassaw cavalry, fired on while reconnoitring their position. Gen. Gist and Capt. Tracy repeatedly fired on, same evening, by enemy's advance-guard. This firing, the first news in camp of enemy's landing. the Stono. May 25.-Gunboats to this time had been running up the Stono for several miles every day, shelling both sides of the river, and returning in the evening to Battery Island. Effort to-day of Brig. Gen. Ripley to draw them within effective reach of guns of Fort Pemberton, failed. Gallantry of Capt. Frank Bonneau, and the men of our little floating battery, stationed for the day in the creek near Dixon's Island, remarked. A gunboat which engaged the battery, was driven off in a few minutes. The battery was moored to the land. Three gunboats had been drawn up the river a short distance, by Gen. Ripley's movements. On their return, they had passed by all together, when one came back, apparently to learn what was the little dark object across the marshes and the small islands. Capt. B., who was aboard, had just received orders not to fire unless attacked. He had his men ashore, under cover. The gunboat opened on him. Capt. B. promptly fired his battery (two or three guns) himself. His men, at the first sound of the enemy's gun, came bounding to their little float, and soon manning their guns, drove the gunboat away. May 31.-Gunboats, to this time, running up the Stono every morning, as before, shelling every one who came in sight, whether on foot, on horse, or in a vehicle. Some peaceful citizens crossing Newtown Cut Bridge in a buggy, during this period, were very much startled by a shell, and took to flight on foot across the fields. To-day a few shell thrown from the Stono, toward Secessionville, fell near the camp of Twenty-fourth regiment South-Carolina volunteers, and toward Brig. General Gist, Capt. James Gist and Capt. Joseph Glover, of his staff, who were riding out. June 1-(Sunday.) A gunboat came some distance up Folly River, but soon retired. Reconnoitring apparently. June 2. A gunboat came up Folly River this morning, on the flood, about nine A.M., shelled the battery of Capt. Chichester at Legare's Point, that of Capt. Warley, close to Secessionville, and Secessionville itself. This place being then occupied by the Eutaw battalion, June 3.-Last night the enemy and a small party of our men lay near each other all night, at Legare's. Capt. Chichester's guns, in being withdrawn from Legare's Point during the night, stuck in the mud. Men engaged in endeavoring to extricate them, driven off by the enemy near morning. Lieut. Col. Ellison Capers, Twentyfourth regiment South-Carolina volunteers, with several companies, sent just after daylight to bring off the guns, and to ascertain enemy's position. Sharp skirmish with the enemy at Legare's, in which Lieut.-Col. Capers drove back, for a half-mile and more, the enemy's troops in his front, though very much outnumbering him. Took twenty-three prisoners, and retired only on the appearance of the enemy in heavy force on the field, supported by a cross-fire from gunboats in the Stono and in Folly River. Enemy engaged said to have been Twenty-eighth Massachusetts and One Hundredth Pennsylvania volunteers. Our loss, several wounded and one taken prisoner. Lieut. Walker, Adjutant Charleston battalion, wounded in the leg, in an endeavor to bring off whom, it was said, Private Bresnan, Irish volunteers, was mortally wounded. Gallantry and discretion of Lieut.-Col. Capers marked. Capt. Ryan, Irish volunteers, Charleston battalion, distinguished himself by his gallant courage. Lieut. J. Ward Hopkins, Sumter Guard, Charleston battalion, wounded in shoulder. Our companies first engaged, were reenforced during the action by several others. All fell back across the causeway to River's merely, and joined the main body of our troops. Enemy ascertained from prisoners to be in strong force at Legare's, under command of Brig.-Gen. Stevens. Heavy bombardment all day by gunboats, of our troops in line of battle, to resist enemy's advance from Legare's; our troops necessarily much exposed. A section of Capt. William C. Preston's battery light artillery, under Capt. Preston and Lieut. Julius Rhett, was carried with great promptness |