"CARLETON'S" DESCRIPTION. GAINESVILLE, November 11, 1862. To the Editor of the Boston Journal: The charge of Zagonyi at Springfield has been made a theme for an article in the Atlantic Monthly. It was a desperate exploit, an exhibition of courage, bravery, rashness unparalleled, because it was an emergency requiring an exhibition of such qualities. But that affair, although so brilliant, is hardly equal to the charge made on Sunday last at Fredericksburgh by a squadron of the First Indiana cavalry, commanded by Capt. Dahlgren. I am sitting in Col. Asboth's tent, at General Sigel's headquarters, listening to a plain statement of what occurred, narrated by a modest, unassuming sergeant. I will give it briefly. Gen. Burnside requested Gen. Sigel to make a cavalry reconnoissance of Fredericksburgh. Gencral Sigel selected his body-guard, commanded by Captain Dahlgren, with sixty men of the First Indiana cavalry and a portion of the Sixth Ohio. It was no light task to ride forty miles, keep the movement concealed from the enemy, cross the river and dash through the town, especially as it was known the rebels occupied it in force; it was an enterprise calculated to dampen the ardor of most men, but which was hailed almost as a holiday excursion by the Indianians. They left Gainesville Saturday morning, took a circuitous route, rode till night, rested awhile, and then under the light of the full moon rode rapidly over the worn-out fields of the Old Dominion, through by-roads, intending to dash into the town at daybreak. They arrived opposite the place at dawn, and found to their chagrin that one element in their calculation had been omitted-the tide. The bridge had been burned when we evacuated the place last summer, and they had nothing to do but wait till the water ebbed. Concealing themselves in the woods they waited impatiently. Meanwhile two of the Indianians rode along the river-bank below the town to the ferry. They hailed the ferryman, who was on the opposite shore, representing themselves to be rebel officers. The ferryman pulled to the northern bank and was detained till he gave information of the rebel force, which he said numbered eight companiesfive or six hundred men all told. The tide ebbed and Captain Dahlgren left his hiding-place with the Indianians - sixty-leaving the Ohioans on the northern shore. They crossed the river in single file at a slow walk, the bottom being exceedingly rocky. Reaching the opposite shore, he started at a slow trot toward the town, hoping to take the enemy by surprise. But his advance had been discovered. The enemy was partly in saddle. There was a hurrying to and fro-mounting of steeds - confusion and fright among the people. The rebel cavalry were in every street. Captain Dahlgren resolved to fall upon them like a thunderbolt. Increasing his trot to a gallop, the sixty dauntless men dashed into town, cheering, with sabres glittering in the sun - riding recklessly upon the enemy, who waited but a moment in the main street, then ignominiously fled. Having cleared the main thoroughfare, Captain Dahlgren swept through a cross-street upon another squadron with the same success. There was a trampling of hoofs, a clattering of scabbards, and the sharp ringing cut of the sabres, the pistol-flash-the going down of horsemen and rider - the gory gashes of the sabre-stroke a cheering and hurrahing, and screaming of frightened women and children-a short, sharp, decisive contest, and the town was in the possession of the gallant men. Once the rebels attempted to recover what they had lost, but a second impetuous charge drove them back again, and Captain Dahlgren gathered the fruits of the victory, thirty-one prisoners, horses, accoutrements, sabres-held possession of the town for three hours, and retired, losing but one of his glorious band killed and two wounded, leaving a dozen of the enemy killed and wounded. I would like to give the names of these heroes if I had them. The one brave fellow who lost his life had fought through all the conflict, but seeing a large rebel flag waving from a building, he secured it, wrapped it around his body, and was returning to his command, when a fatal shot was fired from a window, probably by a citizen. He was brought to the northern shore and there buried by his fellow-soldiers beneath the forest pines. Captain Carr, of company B, encountered a rebel officer and ran his sabre through the body of his enemy. Orderly Fitter had a hand-to-hand struggle with a rebel soldier, and by a dexterous blow, struck him from his horse, inflicting a severe wound upon the head. He seized the fellow's horse-a splendid animal-his carbine and sabre. His own sabre still bears the blood-stains-not a pleasant sight-but yet in keeping with war. It thrills one to look at it-to hear the storyto picture the encounter-the wild dash, the sweep like a whirlwind-the cheers-the rout of the enemy, their confusion-the victory! Victory, not for personal glory, nor for ambition, but for a beloved country — for that which is dearer than life, the thanks of the living, the gratitude of unnumbered millions yet to be! Brave sons of the West, this is your glory; this your reward! No exploit of the war equals it. It will go down to history as one of the bravest achievements on record. Gen. Sigel is in ecstasies to-night. He is writing an order of thanks. The prisoners were brought in an hour ago by a squad, and here come the remainder of the troop, welcomed with wild hurrahs. The South will learn by and by that there are bold riders and brave men who were born in the cold regions of the North as well as in the sunny South-men who have not been gentlemen all their lives, brought up to the chase; but who have tilled the soil, wielded the hammer, held the plough, the spade-free men, who be lieve in free labor. The fabulous glory of the Black Horse cavalry is fading. Stuart has his compeers. Pleasanton and Dahlgren. We are beginning to learn war. We have had Southern dash and valor against inexperience, in horseman ship; but the cool intrepidity, determination and bravery of the Northern soldier is beginning to be felt. We shall hear more from Captain Dahlgren and his men. Doc. 32. PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S ORDER. EXECUTIVE MANSION, GENERAL ORDER RESPECTING THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH-DAY IN THE ARMY AND NAVY. THE President, Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, desires and enjoins the orderly observance of the Sabbath by the officers and men in the military and naval service. The importance for man and beast of the prescribed weekly rest, the sacred rights of Christian soldiers and sailors, a becoming deference to the best sentiment of a Christian people, and a due regard for the Divine will, demand that Sunday labor in the Army and Navy be reduced to the measure of strict necessity. alongside; made sure that they could not extinguish the flames, and again steamed up the river. At one P.M. I reached the town of Jacksonville, landed, threw out my pickets, and placed guards over the public buildings. This place is the county seat of Onslow County, and is quite an important town. It is situated on the right bank of the river going up, and is thirty-five or forty miles from the mouth. I captured twenty-five stand of public arms in the court-house and post-office, quite a large mail, and two schooners. I also confiscated the negroes of the confederate postmaster. I forgot to mention that the town is situated on the main direct road to Wilmington. Several rebel officers escaped as I neared the place, and carried the news to that city. At half-past two P.M. I started down the river, and at five P.M. came in sight of a camp on the At the point banks, which I thoroughly shelled. where the schooner captured in the morning was still burning, the enemy opened fire on the Ellis with rifles, but were soon silenced by our guns. I had two pilots on board, both of whom informed me that it would be impossible to take the steamer from the river that night. High water and dayThe discipline and character of the National light were two things absolutely essential in order forces should not suffer, nor the cause they de- to take her out. I therefore came to anchor about fend be imperilled, by the profanation of the day five miles from the outer bar, took my prizes or name of the Most High. "At this time of pub- alongside, and made every preparation to repel lic distress," adopting the words of Washington an attack. All night long the signal-fires of the in 1776, "men may find enough to do in the ser- enemy could be seen on the banks. At daylight vice of God and their country without abandoning I got under way, and had nearly reached the themselves to vice and immorality." The first worst place in the channel when the enemy opengeneral order issued by the Father of his Country ed on us with two pieces of artillery. I placed after the Declaration of Independence indicates my vessel in position, at once hoisted the battlethe spirit in which our institutions were founded and should ever be defended: "The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country." ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Doc. 33. EXPEDITION UP NEW RIVER, N. C. LIEUTENANT CUSHING'S REPORT. U. S. STEAMER HETZEL, Nov. 26, 1862. flag at the fore; the crew gave it three cheers, and we went into action. In one hour I had driven the enemy from his guns and from the bluff, and passed within a hundred yards of their position without receiving fire. The Up to this time I had been in every way successful; but was here destined to meet with an accident that changed the fortune of the day, and resulted in the destruction of my vessel. About five hundred yards from the bluffs the pilots, mistaking the channel, ran the Ellis hard and fast aground. All hands went to work at once to lighten her, and anchors and steam used to get her afloat; but without success. headway of the steamer had forced her over SIR: I have the honor to report that I entered a shoal and into a position where, as the centre New River Inlet on the twenty-third of this of a circle, we had a circumference of shoal all month, with the United States steamer Ellis un- around. When the tide fell I sent a party ashore der my command, succeeded in passing the nar- to take possession of the artillery abandoned in row and shallow place called the Rocks, and the morning; but when they reached the field it started up the river. My object was to sweep was discovered that it had been removed while the river, capture any vessels there, capture the we were at work on the vessel. If I had secured town of Jacksonville, or Onslow Court-House, this I proposed to construct a shore battery to take the Wilmington mail, and destroy any salt- assist in the defence of my vessel by keeping the works that I might find on the banks. I expect- rebels from placing their batteries in position. ed to surprise the enemy in going up, and then At dark I took one of my prize schooners alongto fight my way out. Five miles from the mouth side, and proceeded to take every thing out of I came in sight of a vessel bound outward with a the Ellis, excepting the pivot-gun, some ammuniload of cotton and turpentine. The enemy fired tion, two tons of coal, and a few small arms. her to prevent her falling into our hands. I ran | Steam and anchor again failed to get my vessel afloat. I felt confident that the confederates would come on me in overwhelming force, and it now became my duty to save my men. So all hands were called to muster, and the crew told that they could go aboard the schooner. I called for six volunteers to remain with me on board and fight the remaining gun. Knowing that it was almost certain death, the men came forward, and two masters' mates-Valentine and Barton -were amongst the number; these gentlemen subsequently behaved with coolness and bravery. I ordered the schooner to drop down the channel out of range from the bluffs, and there to wait for the termination of the impending engagement, and if we were destroyed to proceed to sea. Doc. 34. THE BATTLE OF CANE HILL, ARK. GENERAL BLUNT'S REPORT. Major-General S. R. Curtis, Commanding the GENERAL: I have the honor to report that on the twenty-sixth of November, while encamped at Lindsay's Prairie, fifteen miles south of Maysville, I received reliable information that General Marmaduke, with a force estimated at eight thousand men, was at Cane Hill. I further learned that Marmaduke's command was the advance of Hindman's army, the remainder of which was expected to arrive at Cane Hill on the evening of the twenty-eighth. I immediately determined to attack Marmaduke, and, if possible, defeat him before the arrival of General Hindman with reEarly on the morning of the enforcements. Early in the morning the enemy opened on us from four points, with heavy rifled guns, (one a Whitworth.) It was a cross-fire and very destructive. I replied as best I could, but in a short time the engine was disabled, and she was much cut up in every part, and the only alternatives left were surrender or a pull of one and a half miles, under their fire, in my small boat. The twenty-seventh I ordered all my transportation first of these was not, of course, to be thought of; and commissary trains parked on Lindsay's Praithe second I resolved to attempt. I fired the rie, and after detailing a sufficient guard for its Ellis in five places, and having seen that the bat-protection, I commenced my march with about tle-flag was still flying, trained the gun on the five thousand men and thirty pieces of artillery, enemy so that the vessel might fight herself after the men taking with them four days' rations of we had left her, and started down the river, hard bread and salt. reached the schooner, and made sail for sea. It was low water on the bar and a heavy surf was rolling in; but the wind forced us through after striking several times. We were just in time, for about six hundred yards down the beach were several companies of cavalry trying to reach the mouth of the inlet in time to cut us off. We hoisted our flag and gave three cheers and were off. In four hours I reached Beaufort. I brought away all my men, my rifled howitzer, and ammunition, the ship stores and clothing, the men's bags and hammocks, and a portion of the small arms. I retained aboard a few muskets, pikes, and pistols to repel boarders. I neglected to state that when I took possession of the enemy's ground, on the twenty-fourth, a salt-work was destroyed and ten boats rendered useless that were to have been used for boarding. At nine A.M., the United States steamer Ellis was blown in pieces by the explosion of the magazine. Officers and men behaved nobly, obeying orders strictly under the most trying circumstances. I respectfully request that a court of inquiry may be ordered to investigate the facts of the case, and to see if the honor of the flag has suffered in my hands. The distance to be travelled to reach the enemy was thirty-five miles, twenty-five of which was made by seven o'clock P.M., of the twenty-seventh, when the command bivouacked for the night. From that point I sent spies into the enemy's camp, and learned that their pickets were strongly posted upon the main road, (on which I was advancing,) and that it could be easily defended. I marched at five o'clock A.M., of the twentyeighth, leaving that road and making a detour to the left by a blind track; struck one that was obscure and unfrequented, and entered Cane Hill directly from the north. As I had anticipated, they had no pickets on this road, and I met no resistance until within half a mile of their camp. The enemy had learned, however, the night previous, that I was moving upon them, and was prepared for our reception. About two hundred of the Kansas Second, (cavalry,) under Col. Cloud, with two mountain howitzers, under Lieutenant Stover, were in the advance, which, with Rabb's battery and my staff and body-guard, constituted the only force upon the ground, the main column having been delayed in ascending a mountain about seven miles back to the rear. Of this fact I was not apprised until my advance was engaged. In passing down a gorge between two abrupt hills, their grand guard was encountered in considerable force; dashing on and driving them before us a few hundred Lieutenant. yards, brought us to where the bluff, on the right, terminated, and in full view of the enemy, -Carolina, who were posted on the right of the road on elevated ground, with timber in the rear, their guns "in battery," bearing upon the road which I was ng, and from which they immediately k fire. Boston Mountains proper-the enemy placed his artillery upon it in position covering the road. From this position he sought to prevent my force from proceeding up the valley and approaching the mountains. Directing two howitzers under Lieut. Updyke to the right upon a by-road, they quickly obtained a good position on the enemy's flank, while Rabb's battery opened upon them in front. They were soon forced to abandon the high mound and seek the side and top of the mountain, where they made a determined resistIance. Their artillery was posted on the crest of the mountain, while their mounted riflemen were dismounted and their whole force massed on the sides and top of the mountain, which were covered with scattered timber and but little underbrush. I at once ordered Rabb's battery into position, and also the two howitzers under Lieut. Stover, when a fierce cannonading ensued, which lasted for the space of nearly an hour. My column not being up, I could do nothing more than engage in this "artillery duel" until it arrived, and the enemy thinking, no doubt, that I had a large force in hand, did not venture from under cover of their guns. Reconnoitring upon their left, I discovered an approach by which a force could be brought on their left flank and do them great damage, and perhaps capture their artillery. ordered Major Van Antwerp, of my staff, back to meet the Kansas Eleventh and Hopkins's battery, who were in the advance of the column, to bring them up on the double-quick, and send the battery with six companies of the Eleventh to follow me with the object above named, and to take the other four companies to the support of Rabb's battery, but they were too far in the rear, and the men too much fatigued by the march to reach me in time. Major Van Antwerp took four companies down the road to Rabb's battery, the fire from which, as afterward appeared, although laboring under great disadvantage from the nature of the ground, had been very destructive on the enemy, compelling them to abandon their position and seek another on a high ridge three fourths of a mile further south, where their reserve had been posted. To this point access was very difficult, as rugged ravines intervened, and it could only be approached by the road. Taking a position on high ground facing them from the north, I opened upon them a destructive fire with my artillery, dismounting one of their guns and compelling them again to retire. For the third time they made a stand in the town, or rather on the south side of it, upon a commanding eminence running east and west, and a most admirable position for defence. Having now concentrated their entire force and selected this strong position, I felt assured that they had resolved on a desperate resistance and made my arrangements accordingly; but, after getting my forces across a deep and rugged ravine and deploying them into position ready to advance upon their long and well-formed lines, I discovered, much to my disappointment, that they had again retired and were in full retreat to the mountains, Tenney's battery coming upon the ground they had abandoned just in time to send a few shells in the rear of their retreating column as they escaped under cover of the wood. As the men and horses of the enemy were fresh, and mine were worn down and exhausted by hard marching, it was difficult to follow them in their flight, yet the men, eager for the fray, strained every nerve. For nearly three miles from the town, in the direction of Van Buren, the road runs through a valley, in which are a few farms, alternating with low hills and ravines, covered with thick woods and brush. Over this road a running fight with small arms took place without much damage occurring to either party. Reaching a large mound at the base of the first mountain-the commencement of the The nature of the ground was such that I could not use my artillery to any advantage, and the mountain could not be taken in any other way except by storm. I accordingly ordered up the the Kansas Second and dismounted them; they charged up the steep acclivity in the advance, under the command of Capt. S. J. Crawford and Captain A. P. Russell-Major Fisk having been wounded by a piece of shell early in the day; next followed the Third Indian regiment, (Cherokees) under the command of Col. Phillips and its other field-officers, Lieutenant-Col. Downing and Major Foreman, voluntarily assisted by Major Van Antwerp, of my staff, and the Eleventh Kansas, under the command of its field-officers, Colonel Ewing, Lieut.-Col. Moonlight, and Major Plumb. The resistance of the rebels was stubborn and determined. The storm of lead and iron hail that came down the side of the mountain, both from their small arms and artillery, was terrific, yet most of it went over our heads without doing us much damage. The regiments just named, with a wild shout, rushed up the steep acclivity, contesting every inch of ground and steadily pushing the enemy before them until the crest was reached, when the rebels again fled in disorder. Four howitzers and Rabb's battery were now brought up the mountain and the pursuit renewed; the Third Indian and Eleventh Kansas regiments on the right and left of the road, advancing in line through the woods, while the four howitzers occupied the road in front, with the Kansas Second and Sixth and Rabb's battery in the rear. About every halfmile the enemy made a stand, when the four howitzers and the Eleventh Kansas and Third Indian would as often put them to flight, leaving more or less of their dead and wounded behind them. Thus the fight continued for some three miles, until, on descending partially from the mountain into a valley, the Cove Creek road, leading from Fayetteville to Van Buren, was reached at the point where it intersects the road from Cane Hill to the last-named place. At this point the enemy again brought his artillery into requisition. It was now near sundown and darkness must soon put an end to the pursuit. Down the valley in front of us the ground appeared adapted to the use of cavalry to good ad vantage, and I determined to make an effort to capture their artillery, of which they had six pieces. A large force of their best cavalry was acting as a rear-guard, with a portion of their artillery just in front of them waiting for my cavalry to come up. I called for volunteers to make a charge. Three companies of the Kansas Sixth, nearest at hand, responded promptly to the call, and under command of their three field-officers, Col. Judson, Lieut.-Col. Jewett, and Major Campbell, dashed on to the rear of the rebel column, cutting and shooting them down with sabres, carbines, and revolvers. that it was a cowardly trick resorted to to enable them to make good their retreat and save their guns. It being now dark, and my men entirely exhausted and without food, I considered further pursuit useless, and returned with my command to Cane Hill. The casualties in my command were four killed and thirty-six wounded, four of them mortally, since dead. Among the latter was Lieut.-Colonel Jewett, of the Sixth Kansas. He was a brave and gallant officer, whose noble example is worthy of emulation. Lieutenant J. A. Johnson, of the same regiment, a daring and excellent young officer, reThe charge continued for about half a mile ceived a desperate wound from a musket-ball, down the valley to a point where it converged in which passed entirely through his body; yet it a funnel-shape, terminating in a narrow defile. is hoped he will recover. The enemy's loss is At this point a large body of rebels were in am- seventy-five killed; wounded not known, as they bush in front and upon the flanks where cavalry took a large portion of them away. The officers could not approach, with their battery also mask- and men of my command who took part in the ed in front. As soon as the party we were pur- engagement, behaved, without exception, nobly. suing passed through the defile, they opened on To the following members of my staff-Major V. us a most destructive fire, which, for a moment, P. Van Antwerp, Inspector-General; Captain Lycaused my men to recoil and give back, in spite man Scott, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General; of my own efforts and those of other officers to Lieutenant J. Fin. Hill, Aid-de-Camp, and Lieurally them. Whereas, if they had, after receiv- tenant D. Whittaker, Acting Aid-de-Camp, I am ing the enemy's fire, pressed on two or three hun-indebted for efficient and valuable services during dred yards, we could have secured in a moment more what we so much coveted, the enemy's artillery. Emboldened by their success in defending the defile and checking our advance, they raised a wild yell and advanced toward us. With the aid of Colonel Judson, Major Campbell, and Captains Green and Mefford, I succeeded in rallying the three companies of the Sixth Kansas, who had suffered severely in the charge, and formed them across the valley; and the four howitzers coming up at the same time, and opening on the enemy with shell, soon forced them to retire, yet they seemed determined to dispute the passage of the defile to which I have referred, a position admirably adapted for defence, and beyond which, as I afterward learned, there was a wide open valley; hence their obstinate resistance at this point, in order to save their guns. I resolved, however, at all hazards to force my way through this gorge, and as darkness was approaching, and I had no time to get up infantry and send them out upon the flank, I prepared to make an assault in front. Loading the four howitzers and one section of Rabb's battery with double canister, I ordered them up by hand, in battery, with the three companies of the Kansas Sixth, with Sharp's carbines, advancing in line in rear. I had directed that not a gun should be fired until I gave the word. When within about four hundred yards of the enemy, who were defending the gorge, and as I was about to give the word to fire, an officer from Gen. Marmaduke came galloping up with a white flag. On sending an officer to receive it, they requested the privilege of taking off their dead and wounded. Consideration for the fate of Colonel Jewett and others, who had fallen upon the ground they then occupied, and whom I fo they might brutally murder, induced spect their flag of truce, convinced the day. I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brig.-General Commanding First Division Army of Frontier. CANE HILL, (OR BOONEVILLE,) ARKANSAS,) Again we have put the enemy to flight. I will briefly give you the particulars of the battle of Cane Hill, or Boonsboro. Gen. Blunt's division of the army, consisting of three brigades, four batteries, and six mountain howitzers, under the command of General Solomon, First brigade, Col. Ware, Second brigade, Col. Cloud, Third brigade, were in camp near Lindsey's Prairie on the evening of the twenty-sixth. Orders were issued for detachments from each regiment to move at daylight on the morning of the twenty-seventh, with three days' rations of hard bread and salt in their haversacks. Most of the artillery was ordered to move, and all the ambulances accompanied the column. Promptly at daylight the column was put in motion, General Blunt commanding in person. The country over which we passed (south-east) was extremely rugged, rendering the passage of our artillery and ambulances slow and tedious. Nine o'clock in the evening, however, found us within ten miles of our enemy, who were camped in a force of from seven to eight thousand strong at Boonsboro. From our scouts we learned that they were determined to fight at this point. The rebel forces were under the command of MajorGenel Marmaduke, Brig. General Shelby, and ne confederate lights, such as McDon l, Livingston, etc. It was a concen all the "bushwhacking" gangs, united luke's forces Tt was evident that they |