The recent battle in Louisiana--Particulars from a New Orleans Paper.
A person who was present at the fight near Dabadieville, on Bayon Latouche, La., on the 27th ult., furnishes the N. O.
Picayune with the following account of the affair:
‘
It appears that on Monday the
Confederates marched twenty-two miles to
Napoleonville to meet the United States forces, and then, to select a suitable position, they fell back nine miles to the spot where the engagement took place.
The Confederates, we learn, numbered about 330, and were commanded by
Col. McPhecters.
The United States forces, on arriving at
Napoleonville, it appears, heard that the
Confederates had fallen back, and immediately pressed forward in pursuit, feeling for them with shell, occasionally, as they advanced.
Towards four o'clock in the afternoon the United States forces came in sight of the
Confederates who were drawn up in position.
The fight at once commenced, the United States forces opening with shell, while the 13th Connecticut and 8th New Hampshire were crossing the bayou, under a brisk fire from the
Confederates.--The two regiments named attacked the
Confederates in front.
At the same time the 75th New York marched up and took position in the rear of the 13th Connecticut.
The 75th was not under fire.
While the
Confederates were attacked in front, a body of United States cavalry advanced to attack them in flank, but about the time they got within fighting distance, the
Confederate, unable longer to withstand the vigorous onset made by an overwhelming force, surrendered.
The fight did not last more than half an hour, our informant thinks, and was quite warmly contested, both sides displaying great courage.
The attacking force vigorously pressed forward, unchecked by the brisk fire of the
Confederates, and the latter sustained the combat with great spirit until their assailants were within five paces of them, when they threw down their arms.
Our informant says that the fight was about over, most of the
Confederates having laid down their arms, when the
Captain of one of the companies of the 13th Connecticut advanced on
Col. McPhecters and demanded that he surrender.
The latter swore that he would not, and drawing a pistol, shot the
Captain.
Immediately a private in the 13th Connecticut shot the
Colonel through the head, killing him on the spot.
So infuriated were the men of that regiment at the shooting of the
Captain, that it was with the utmost difficulty that officers could restrain them from rushing on and killing the whole Confederate force.
’
Our informant also says that after the fight the
Confederates were treated by the victors with great kindness.
Butler's
Delta gives the following account of the arrival of a portion of the prisoners, and furnishes a list of the casualties among the
Confederates:
‘
The steamer
Maurice arrived at noon yesterday, with 80 of the prisoners taken at the battle of
Labadieville.
These men mostly belonged to the
Crescent regiment, raised among the
elite of this city, and so soon as it was announced on our bulletin board that they had arrived hundreds began to wend their way towards the levee to see them, and, perhaps, to recognize old friends, or acquaintances, or relatives.
When we reached the steamer the wharf was already crowded, and the prisoners were holding uninterrupted communication with all they recognized on shore.
A battalion of infantry shortly made its appearance, and cleared a wide space on the levee in front of the boat, but it was soon withdrawn, and the crowd was again allowed freely to talk with the prisoners from the wharf.
And many were the joyful recognitions that took place.
Everything, however, was done in the most orderly style, and with the greatest decorum.
The prisoners looked very well, were dressed as finely as could be expected under the circumstances, and appeared quite cheerful.
Late in the evening they were transferred to another vessel, which is to be their prison, we understand, for the present.--They are receiving the best of treatment, and have no cause of complaint, other than that of being deprived of the freedom of the city for the present; but soldiers are used to privations.
’
