The Nashville daily union. [volume], January 15, 1863, Image 1

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VOL I.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, TlTUf S D AY, JANUARY . 1 5 ,; m
NO 237
ASMI3DLH
TD'A-f
hN fj Y n
laolnuUc Pinion.
r-hlihei l'j nn -A.veialinn of PriV-v?.
iHtice on I'rintcr' Alley bctcw
I nUu and Itcndericls. StroeU,
THUIli-DAY . MORNING, JAN. 1, . lbC2
Great Battle of Stones'
River, Tennessee.
EIGHT DAYS' FIGHTING.
( 'p'-rlul Corro'poo'lpnm C!ni:lnh!i;l rmiiKe al.J
II tti.e niti.ii nr Atonm' Kivm. Tenk.,
KATi unAr, Jniiunry ;i, 1iUi, )
In the rage of conflict the human heart
expresses little sympathy with human
suffering. Your best friend is lifted from
the saddle by the fatal shaft, and plunges
wildly to thp earth a corpse. One con
vulsive leap of your heart, you dash on
ward in the stormy field, and the dead is
forgotten until the lurjous frenzy of bat
tie is spent. "Never mind," said our
great-hearted General, when the death of
the noble bill was announced; "brave men
must die in battle! We must seek re
suits." "When Garesche's headless trunk
fell at his feet, a shock thrilled him, and
bedashed again into the fray, lie was
told that McCookwas killed. "We can
not help it; men who fight must be killed
Nevermind; lit us light this battle.
On Friday, December 2t, the nrmy ad
vanced in three columns, Major-General
McCook s corps down the Nolensvillc pike
driving Hardee before lnm a mile and
half beyond Nolens ville. Major-General
Thomas' corps, from its encampment on
the franklin pike withe Wilson pike
Crittenden on tho Murfreesboro pike
The right and left met with conside rable
resistance in a rolling and hilly country,
with rocky binds and dense cedar thick
ets, affording cover for tho enemy's skir
mishers. Crittenden moved to a point
within a mile and .a ball' of Lavergne,
skirmishing with tho enemy sharply.
-J Jerieral Thomas met with but little op
position. . . ,
On the 27th, McCook diuvo Hardee from
a point beyond Nolensvillc, and pushed
a reronnoitciing division six miles to
ward Shelby ville, discovcringthaf Hanbo
had retreated to MurtVeesboro. This in
dicated intention on the part of the enemy
to make a stand ; otherwise Hardee would
have fallen back upon Shelbyville. (Jen.
Crittenden fought, all tho wny to Stewart's
Creek, with small loss, and rested on its
banks, rebel pickets appearing on the op
posite banks. General Hoseernns' head
quarters were then at a point twelve
miles from Nashville. It seemed that the
enemy would make a stand on Stewart's
('reek, that being Rood line of defense.
That night General Thomas, with the di
visions of liousseau andNcgley, occupied
Nolensville.
On the '28th, General McCook com
pleted bis recotinoissauco of Hardee's
movements, and General Crittenden a
waitcd results, while General Thomas
moved his corps across to Stewart's Creek,
executing a fatiguing inarch with great
energy, General Uosecrans deeming bis
junction with the left of great importance
at that time.
On the 2!Uh, General McCook moved to
Wilkinson's Cross-roads, within seven
miles of MurtVeesboro, at tho end of a
short road through a rough, rolling ooun
try, skirted by Mulls and dense cedar
thickets. Gen. Crittenden moved forward
with some resistance, to a point within
three miles of Murfreesboro, and fiund
tho enemy in force. .Gen. Negley was
moved forwardto the center, Rousseau's
division in reserve on tho right of Critteu
. den'seorps. General Ilosccrans' headquar
tcrsadvanccd to the cast side of Stewart's
Creek, and after a hasty supper he pro
ceeded to .the front and roniiined on tho
Held all night, lie was accompanied by
Lieut. Col. Garesche, his Chief of Stall',
Col. Barnet, Chief of Artillery, Major
Goddard, A. A. G., Major Skinner, Lt.
Byron Kirby, Lt. Bond, and Father Tra
cy, who remained faithfully with him,
and at no time, from tho beginning of the
action, deserted him.
, On the tlOth, Gen. McCook advanced
'.on tho Wilkinson pike, through heavy
thickets, stubbornly resisted by the in
emy, uen. hherldan s division being in
advance, Gen. Kill's brigade constituting
his tight. Tho enemy developed such
at icngth that Gen. McCook directed
Sheridan to form in lino of battle, and
tho division ol Uen. Jell. C. Davis was
thrown out upon his i in lit. It was now
discovered that Hardee's corps was in
front, n tho west. side of the river, in
lino of battle, his front mossing our right
obliquely, in position, if extended, to
(lank us. Our left htond fast, in lino
corresponding with the course of
Stone's liiver, mainly upon uudiila
.' 'ii. i ii i . . ..
ring iieum. i no eeiuer, under lien.
'Negley, slightly advanced into a ce
dar thicket, and was engaged, wilh great
difficulty , in rceonnoitering, under tharp
resistance, and in cutting roans llirmi
mo ainiosi uupeiiciraiiir iresi, to open
communication with tint right. The
content had brought fhrwnrd McCook's
ight ditisiori, facing strongly south
east, with tho reserve division between
the center and right, and, sufiicientiy, far
in the rear to support, and, if necessary,
to extend it the consequences ol which
we're developed next day. Two brigades
of Johnson's division Kirk's and Wil-
lich's were ultimately thrown out on
tho extreme right, facing south, and
somewhat in reserve, to make everything
secure. '
That morning (ho General command
ing and his stall' were in the snddlo at
daylight, directing movements. Tho po
sition of the enemy was being gradually
developed, They were strongly posted,
their center covered by a cedar forest in
bend ot Stones luvcr, west side, their
flanks on the Murfreesboro side, Riving
them the advantage of concentrating on
cither Hank with small risk. While the
Genet-til was reconnoitcring the Held, tho
enemy opened a battery upon his escort
and a solid shot carried away t lie beau
of Orderly McDonald, of the 4th Begular
Cavalry.
Headquarters wero established under a
cluster of trees, in the field. IUin was
pouring down briskly, and the. situation
was dismal. lho General was some
what abxious, the position of the enemy
being perplexing. Skirmishing, in the
center, was animated, and there seemed to
be heavy lighting on tho right. It was
known that Kirby Smith was in com
mand of the enemy's right, 1'olk's corps
in the centre, and Hardee on the left, -and
the exhibition of rebel strength indicated
an equality wilh our own. We had the
di visions of Generals Jeff. C. Davis, John
ston, Sheridan, Negley, liousseau, Wood,
van Cleve and i alnier, posted in the or
der in which they are named, with John
slon, liousseau and Wood in reserve, and
Starkweather's brigade, of Rousseau's
division, on the Jefferson Tike, besides
the cavalry division, under tho gallant
Brig. Gen. D, S. Stanley, to protect our
Hanks.
Fighting under these conditions did
not oiler a lavoraole prospect, the ene
my had powerful natural fortifications,
with their centre effectually masked by
almost impenaf table cedar forests, unap
proachable save by slow and 'cautious
movement. Oen. McCook was instructed
to feel his way cautiously and press lho
enemy. Negley forced his way prudent
ly but boldly.
After a roennnoissanee of ih, field,
hcadqtmlers vr', established u'jiim the
slope of a meadow" :-!iing of -gently to
ward the Murfreesboro pike. A shelter
of mils was thrown up against a fence
under a cliislir of trees, several gutta
pcrcha blankets being cast over in order
to allord some dry taeilities for writing.
It was not a very picturesque headquar
ters yet a Scene worth perpetuation
The central figure was intensely absorb
ed in the gr.'at events culminating with
in his active, r. 8 less mind. He had said
this was f bo " the great decisive battle
of the war." The fct that the enemy
had made a stand impressed him that
they were either desperate orjn force ca
pable to resist the shock of battle. Their
position was so skillfully chosen that it
required all the resources ot a powerlul
mind to loice i. JJis mobile leatures be
trayed his intensity of thought, but the
readiness and clearness of his directions
upon any suggestion or subject of inquiry ,
confirmed the confidence in bun of those
by whom he was surrounded. His able
Chief of Staff, the lamented Oaresche, sat
by him upon a rail, laithiully and con
stantly in tho driving storm, responding
with alacrity una relieving lnm of the
labor of details, hvery member of his staff
stood within call : and Gen. Crittenden
with his own staff, completed the immedi
ate circle inclosing tho figure of him upon
whom such momentous events depended.
A group ot cavalry escorts and carriers
in the rear, dismounted and holding the
staff horses; long lines of battle reaching
across tho Held; the movement of artil
lery and subsistence trains, to and fro,
now and then a w ild scurry of cavalry
over the Jields, a courier or aids darting
swiftly to the front or rear, formed an an
imated perspective for lho picture which
commands our timn. As hours wore
away a dismal storm which had driven
mercilessly during the morning subsided,
and the wind blew clear and cold. A
fire of cedar rails was kindled, and a
fence was built around the roaring tire
for general conJort. You know bovv
cheerful such a bivouac may bo made
toes toasting and your backs shivering
and how merrily qnips and jests circle
around the glowing coals. I suppose
there are situations from which men may
derive more comfort, but a soldier's life,
you know must' be always gay. Such
old patriots as Colonel John Kennet I
expect would discover serener satisfac
tion before a cheerful grate, but. youn
ger men, looking at the chances of battle
only upon tin' hopeful side, were not
fate. Always a devout man, and inclined
to asceticism, there was something more
than ordinarily impressive at
ti active in his deportment that d He
wns most plcasan', even affection ale,, to.
all who approached him, and once or
twice I discovered him cautiously but in
tensely perusing his prayer book. I lo
was one of that class of men whose cour
age you could not suspect. Perhaps his
soriousnest and devotion that day ap
i peared tho more Btriking on that account,
j Ho was never ostentatious in any sense,
' and his eger devotion to religious exer
cises on that field strongly impressed me.
1 could not shake off' a feeling of uneasi
ness on his behalf. I folt happy, how
ever, in turning the matter over in my
own mind, in the belief that no man in
that great array was better prepared to
meet his Maker. But this is an episode
within an episode.
We were as confident that day that
there would be a battle on the next, as
we were conscious of existence. The
souhd of battle was already ominous. A
good many men indeed havo already
fallen. Rebels in considerable numbers
were already visible across the plains,
on the opposite sido of the river. We
watched them through our glasses wilh
excited interest. . Keportg of menacing
movements came inconstantly. At last
heavy guns were heard on tho left, away
in the distanee, and two hours later tho
General was annoyed by official report
that ihe rebel cavalry had captured some
ol our wagons on the Jetlerson pike. Still
later the daring rascals captured another
train directly in our rear, on the Mur
freesboro pike. A strong cavalry force
was despatched after them, but gallant
Colonel Burke, posted at Stonard Creek
with his 13th Ohio, had already sent
one hundred and iitty of his men to in
tercept tho marauders, and ho recaptured
most ol the properly
Night was approaching without battle
when Captain Visiter, of Gen. McCook's
staff, dashed up on a toaming steed
bearing, information that Kirby Smith,
supportad by Breckinridge, had concen
trated on our left. " lell Oen. McCook,"
said Gen. liosecrans, that " if he is as
sured that such is the fact, he may drive
Hardee sharply if ho is ready. At all
events, tell him to prepare for battle to
morrow morning, lell him to light as
if the fate of a great battle depended
upon him. While he holds Hardee, tho
left, under Crittenden, will swing around
and take Mnrfrvcsboru. Let Hardee at
tack, if he desires; it will suit us ex
actly." ;
Just now a report came in that the rebel
cavalry bad captured a little squad of
thirty wen, at Lavergne, with tho tele
graph operator, beside i wounding Mr.
Tidd.the telegraph reporter. The ras
cats were at their old tricks, and we had
no cavalry to spare to attend to them
At dark, headquarters took shelter and
i supper. .Late tn the evening it was as
certained that the enemy bad massed
heavily on McCook, and would probably
attack him in the morning. General
McCook was again enjoined to fight hard,
and, it necessary, give ground a little
while the left should swing around into
Murfreesboro. General lioseerans was
in high spirits with tho progress of af
fairs and confident of success, lie re
mained awake nearly, all night, and at
five o'clock aroused the staff. At daylight
he attended mass in a tent adjoining his
own, and with Lleul. Col. Garesche par
took of communion, Father Coolcy, of
the Soth Indiana, ofllciating.
After an early breakfast, the staff vfas
asseuiiiiea, ana communications were
received from the Generals of the left
and center. Meantinio tho voar of can
non on the right indicated battle. At
seven o'clock I started through the woods
to watch the progress of the engagement.
A mile from quarters I met a stream of
stragglers pouring through the thickets
reporting disaster "General Si'I. is
killed; General Johnson had lost three
batteries ; McCook'a line is broken ; the
enemy is driving us; rebel cavalry is in
the rear capturin-g our trains." The
here tiny .rtTortned. .SclKcfer and
llobitls were . equallr- successful. But
Johnson's division, taken somewhat by
surpnc, was swung hack like a gate, and
.iii to crumble at the tlauks. I wo ot
his batteries, Edgei ton's and f ioodspeed'a
were taken bflore a gun wa bred; the
-horses had not been harncssdi andsomo
were even then goiugto water. This I un
derstand was not tho fault of Johnson;
who, 1 m told, bad iMicd prudent orders
lho eniuit s line, obliquely to ours origi
nally, had worked around until it flanked
us almost traverely giving them direct.cn-
blading, and rear fire, Johnson's division
melted away like a snowbank in spring
time, thus imperiling, Davis division,
which was also obliged to break. Sheri
dan immediatelychanged front torcar.and
his left, adjoing Negley, was forced into
angle, which gave the enemy the decisive
advautage of a crose fire. Sill rallied
his men again most gallantly, and while
iding them in a charge was fatally
struck, and died at tho head of his line,
a musket ball entering bis upper lip and
Stragglers generally were not panic-
apt to consider any fancy but that w hich 1
would sevo as reccolleetions for fireside '
use when Ihe storm of war shall havu
settled into happy pave. Now and then
some body ventured a suggestion 'hat
some body would "be killed to-morrow,"
but I found none who diirrd to
apply the' consoliiir fancy to
himself men ate so prune yon
know, to saddle lueir lortunes upon tiuir
fellows. I bad an impression, however,
t ...II u.l. ,.i :. ,.., 1...0...1 . '. . ' .. ..
niin i t umioi ini iijiii imi m ai injrii, janilv rt-ieivi-d tne
tliat Garesi he hid a presentiment of hi '0(J i.lc;ir ja, t0
stricken. Most of them had their arms,
but the negroes, servants, and teamsters
were frantic.
The report being made to the General,
he dismissed it summarily, remarkin
"All aight, we will rectify it." Soon af
ter, oflicial reports were received con
tinning the tidings of disaster. Tho
prospect vii gloomy, but tho cheering
demeador of the General restored confi
dence. The roar of battle approached
alarums ly near and rapidly, it was
now ascertained that tho enemy bad
massed on our right and attacked along
Its entire lines. Hardee and McCook
had formed their lines on opposite sides
of a valley, which narrowed toward
McCook'a left. Two of Johnson's Brig
ades were on the extnnne right and one
was guarding ine tram, uavis was in
tho center, and Sheridan on the left.
Sill's brigade was on tho right of Sheri
dan's division, Sclurler's Tea IfMgo
brigade in the center, and Col. Hot rH
(t.d Illinois) brigade on bis left. Sill
was posted on tho tqest of a hill, at the
naruweKt. part of the valley. Tin enemy
udviinet d upon him in coloiiins ( f nm
nietlts, linnmd Six lilies deep sufficient
to break any ordinary line; but Siil g'al-
shock, lyul drove the
bis original position,
ranging upward through lus brain.
General Willich, at about tho same time,
was captured. Irig. Uen. lvirk was se
riously wounded, and the gillant Colonel
Hoberts, of the 42d Illinois, while repul
sing a tierce attack: at too angle, was
killed at. the head of his brigade. Sher
ridan had thus- lost two brigade com
manders and Iloatling's battery. His
almost orphan division was left 'to pro
tect (Negley s left, in the center, both
Davis and Johrtson being sent off from
him. But Sheridan, by his own noble
exertions, held his division Hrmly, and
the 8lh Division, under Negley, by des
perate valor, checked the powerlul mas
ses of the enemy until succour could be
thrown in from the left and the reserves
hherridan Having repulsed ttio enemy
four times, and changed his front com
pletely in the face of tho enemy, retired
o ward the Murfreesboro Tike, bringing
back bis gallant command in perfect or
der, mere nas oeen no unio to inquire
into Ihe causes of the disater on Ihe right,
bull oviously thero was something wrong
Meantime, while this losing battle was
going on, tiio ueneral commanding liau
galloped into the bold, lol lowed by his
staff and escort. He had sent a reply to
McCook's application for aid : "TeilGen.
McCook I will help him." In an instant
ho galloped to the leh and sent forward
Beatty a brigade. , Moving down to the
extreme left ho was disuovtred by lho
enemy, and a iluU nattery opened nuon
him. iSolidshot and shell stormed about
us furiously. The General himself, was
unmoved by it, but his staff generally
were more sensitive. 1 lie incl'natioii to
dodge was irresistible. Directly one poor
fellow of the escort was dismounted and
his horso galloped frantically pver the
Held. The General directed-Col. Harnett,
bis Chief of Artillery, to post a battery
to shell tho enemy, waiting to see it
done. .The Colouel galloped forward
coolly under lire, and soon had Cox's
10th Indiana battery lumbering toward a
commanding point. TheolHcrriu com
mand wheeled into position at a point
apparently unfavorable lor sharp work.
The General shouted "On the crest ; on
tho crest of the hill." On the crest it
went, and in live minutes tho rebels
closed their music- Beatty's brigade
was now double-quicking under fire ob
liquely from left to right, as coolly as if
on parode. Inquiring who held the ex
treme left, the ueneral was answered
Col. Wg"er'' brigade. "Tell Wagner
to hold his position at all hazards.
Soon after Col.. Wagner replied, laconi
cally, "Say to the General I will!
Down at tho toll-gate, on the Pike, we
got another "blizzard," with an interlude
of Minnies, which whistled about with
an admomitory slit, lho shilling scene
of battle now carried tho General back
to the center of the field. The enemy
were streaming through the woods a few
hundred yards in front. The forest was
populous with them. Our balterries
were dashing across ttie plun with
frightful vehemence, wheeling into posi
tion and firing with terrific rapidly. Tho
rebel artillery played upon us mon. less
ly, tearing men and horses to pieces.
The Bharp-Btiooters were still more vi
cious. A Hight of bullets passed through
the Stall'. 1 heard an insinuting thud!
aud saw a poor orderly within saber
distance topple from his saddle, and
tumble headlong to mother earth. Ouo
convulsive shudder, and he was no more
11m tiridle-liand clutched tne reins in
death. A comrade looseiiened his grasp,
aud bis faithful grey stood quietly by
the corpse. Another bullet went through
tlie.iaw of Lieutenant Benton beautiful
chestnut. Smarting with pain, be struck
violently with his hoofs at the invisible
tormeuior. Benton dismounted and
awaited the anticipated catastrophe
but be rode his horse again, all through
that fiery day. One or two other horses
were bit, and the cavalcade rushed from
that, lino ol lire lo another, just in time
to be splashed wilh mud IVjiu tho spat
ot a b-pHiind shot. It seemed that (hero
was not a tonare Yard on the field free
from tii . The rattle -ot musketry
and roar of artilliry was dealeiiui
Slill the tieneral charged through
as if it bad been hai'iiiLcsa rain.
w .- woiideifol that he escaped
( fnitoiiaie tlnil his uniform was
i-uvvied by an oiercoat. Galloping
d w n aain H the extreme front, an olli
eer .it i.iu w ith the General w as bud-
denly iisni.;;r.!.-:!. V round shot Ffru.Tt
bis horso pquindf on the thigh, knorMni;
hint a rod, tumbling the - ridr all in a
heap over tho soil. Bushing out, to the
cedar (oust, where Nel.-y's gallant ui-if-don
was alritggling against great odds,
trusty Sheridan was met, bringing- ont
hid tried division in s upcrb order. Neg
ley was still righting despsrat'd v, against
odls. Johnston, (oo, appeared soon ni
ter, but Ids command was temp u aiily
shattered.
The day wa going against ns. lt
was a most critical , period. . lho kit
could not b - swung- into Murfreesboro, or
behind Hni d c, because we had no right.
Sweeping rapidly across the fionl, a
flight of Minle balls struck in the midst
of the cavalcade. One of them struck
Col. (iarasche's charger fairly in tho nos
tril, and punctured it as cleanly as
any ring-nosed Durham bull you ever
saw at a fair. The fiery'nnimal flung
his lino head at the sting, scattering hi
Mood upon his master. "Ah '.hit, Gar
esche .' ouo! u tne ueneral. " Mv horse.
was the laconic response, and the gallant
rider, whose airiness had excited the ad
miration of the army, pushed swiftly
onward. A drop of blood fiercely Hung
away by lho wounded horse, crimsoned
the cheek of the General, and an hour la
ter it gave rise to the most exquisite ap
prehensions. Somo one who saw (lie
blood, fancied it was a wound, and it was
rumored throughout the camp that the
General was hurt. Some of the staff.
Who had been Bent away with orders,
ransacked the field and hospitals to find
him. After an hour's torment, ho was
discovered, as usual, in the fore front of
battle. Expostulation was in vain. His
only reply was, "this battle must be
won. .... .-. ' . '
During all this period, Neglef's two
gallant brigades, under valiant old Stan
ley (of the J 8th Ohio) and brave John F.
Miller, were holding tboir line against
awful odds. ,vhen the right broke, Is eg
ley had pushed in clean ah.f-nd of the left
of tho right, wing, and was driving the
enemy. The 78th Pennsylvania, D7th
Indiana, 21st, 74th, 18th and bfJI.h Ohio,
the famous l'JIh Illinois, and 11th Michi
gan, with Knell's, Marshall's, Shultz' and
Bush's batteries, sustained-ono of Ihe
fiercest assaults of Ihe day, and the ene
my was dreadfully punished. Still they
came on like famished wolves, in col
umns, by divisions, sweeping ovi r skirm
ishers, disregarding them utterly. The
l'Jlh Illinois, under gallant young Scott,
and the 11th Michigau, led by brave
Stoughton, charged in advance, and drove
back a division. The enemy, far out
numbering tho splendid 8th, swarmed in
front, on both Hanks, and finally burst
upon its i rar, reaching a point within
fifty yards of Negley's quarters before
they wero discovered ISegley being un
aware of the extent of tho disaster on the
right, llousseau's division had been sent
into the woods to support tho 8th, bat
was withdrawn before the Hth got out.
Negley had found his brigades in eclivlim,
and seeing the critical nature of his po
sition, he was obliged to order a retro
grade movement. But even after that the
l'Jlh Illinois and 11th Michigan made
another dash to the front, driving the
enemy again, then wneeling apruptty,
pushed steadily out of the cedars. The
conduct of Stanley, Miller, Moody, Scott,
Slonghton, Sewell, Hull, and Nibling1, H
commended in glowing terms. Colonel
Cassilly was wounded early, and left tho
field. Scott and Hull were badly wound
ed. Miller got a flesh wound, but re
fused to leave the Held. .Moody was
wounded too, and Von Schrader, with
whom he had not been on friendly terms-,
was so Rratilled -ith his conduct that he
shook hint warmly by the band, and for
got old scores. Von oChrader is a sol
dier, so that the virtue of his praise is
apparent. No need to applaud Negley,
the army looks upon him as a' (l-ntral.
No guns wero lost by the Fighth Division.
liousseau, one of the most magnificent
men on the field, with the port of Ajax,
and the fire of Achilles no wonder for
his gallant lads adore him did not fan
cy this retrograde movement. The reg
ular, 15th, ltith, 18th, and 19lh, under
Col. Shepherd, on his right, liked it no
better. Youthful Beatty, (3d O.) com
manding tho 17th Brigade, and Scribner,
with tho Uth, wero also in ill-humor
about it, but there was no help for it.
After debouching from the cedars, Loom
is and Guentber could Hud no good po
sition for their batteries, and tho whole
line fell back under severe lighting, the
lefi lying flat upon the ground, the right
covered by a crest. The two batteries
now swiftly wheeh-d into favorablo posi
tion, and poured double-shotted canister
into the enemy. The 2'!d Arkansas was
literally swept away by their devouring
lire. Loom it aud Guentber wero wild
with delight at their success. The ball'
led cuenijf cauie no further. Tho Held
was red with the blood of their slain
Kousseau had sent word that bo had fallen
hack to tho position lie then occupied.
"Tell lho General," said he, -'I'll stay
rigui nere, rnia wrr. I won t midge an
inch." lie did slay "rinht" there.
l can not precisely lix lho successive
shifting of battle in Ihe order of time.
Mi'Umry bnasu us tenacity in tho wild
frenzy ! the field. I think t hi 4 all oc-
I tyirred befoic ten oYlock, but it was pait
jot tho finest drama of the day, which
barely preceded it. J he whole I iht was
then Blieaming bacK through the farf.sti
disorder ; save Sh'-rridnu'it division.
The gleaming steel of the holly pursuing
foe llaihed in the snuligbl tbrouglt vistasi
of Ihe wood. Giancimr through art
opening into a cornfield lit yond us, greii
masfes of somber-looking toes Wero ob
served rushing forward. Ouick as -.
thought, almost, the General formed an '
entirely t.ew line of battle. Tho right
had laiidkouth-cas'. What was now tho
right (:e 1 westward, ."Tho enemy had
compelled us to change front completely..
Ueneral l.osecrans lumselt executed it at
awful personal hazard. Thero was not
a point in tho front ol battle, which he
did not visit. Taking advsntago of a
commanding crest, on the left of the pit.
ha pasted tho batteries, and some twenty
oi- ti.irt-y guns oiened wuii prouigfoun
volume. Solid shot and shell crashed,
through the populous forest in a tumult
of destructive fury. The cloud of smoke
for some minutes completely enveloped
tho gunners, and obscured them from
view. Now, then, we charge. Down
thrcngh tho Held and across the road, tho
General in tho lead. Bitterly whistled
the leaden hail. A soldier falls dead un
der tho very hoof of the commander's
horse. 1 Advance the line- charge them,"
and our gallant lads, fired with the wild
enthusiasm of the moment, madly push
up the hill. The forests are Splintered
with tho furious volume of fire. ' On they
go. Your line of prey and steel, halts
staggers, reels. ' There they go," shouts
tho gal Itnl leader. "Now drive them
homo 1" Great God! what tumult
in the brain. Sense reels with fhe' in
loxiftiug frenzy. -There was a line of
dead blue coats where the charge was so
gallantly made, but the corpses of tho
foe were scattered thickly through tho
woods. Beatty's brigade Old Rich
Mountain Beatty made that glorious
charge. It was tho first encouraging
event of that gloomy morning.
Sweeping rapidly from that point to
our lt ft, the whole lino was put in mo
tion, and tho batteries advanced. A few
hundred yards on the h it of Beatty's
lino tho enemy were still . advancing,
boldly driving a 'small brigade down a
little valley before them. As the head
of Ihe retreating column debouched from
a thicket, it w as interrupted by the Gen
eral, and re-formed by members of his
stall'. Stokes' battery advanced r.midlir
across the road, supported by Caotain
St. Clair Morton's batUlions of pioneers
men selected from all regiments for
their vigor and mechanical kill. The
lire was desperately hot, but fhu General
haw only a broken line which lie deter
mined to' rally. Tho battery wat plant
ed on a little knoll, with its flanks pro
tected by thickets, and Morton deployed
his pioneers on cither side. The battery
opened briskly, and Morton lead his bat
talion beautifully to the front. The ea
ririjj suddenly checked by murderoua
fire, staggered and IV-ll luck swiftly,
sheltering themselves in friendly forests.
And so, along the whole line, tho enemy
was pressed backward. Tho day wa
saved. No man disputes (hat the per
gonal exertions of General K iseerans re
trieved the fortunes of the morning.
But the battle though Biupended waa
not ended. The enemy had ben re
pulsed with terrible loss, but ho war
making a light of desperation. Utmost
vigilance was now necessary. It was al
together probable the ilorm would soon
break out afresh. Our troops were dis
posed for a new attack. It soon bigan
to developo by feints at various p nuts on
the line from left lo right. Tho rebel
sharpshooters were conlanlly annoying
us, and the enemy s batteries render thu
field exceedingly uncomfortable. Abont
one o'clock, perhaps, a strong demonstra
tion was made upon our left, then a Herco
onsl night on our righf, Lieutenant Colo
nel Garesche, Chief of Staff ami Lieut.
Kirby were sent down to Van Cleve, and
got thern in tiuio to urge forward tho
hue. Both Garesche and Kirby were in
tho thick of the fray. The firmer wa-4
soon dismounted by a sharpshooter, hi
horso being disabled. Kirby invitad
Gnrcg-he to mount his horse, aid he
walked back to the stall'. Garesche had
mounted another horse, and was galloping.
i.ong stdo'by sido with tho. General,
when a solid shot carried away bis head.
1 1 in blood was spattered upon tho staff.
A moment later, Sergeant lliehuiond, of
the 1th I'nited States Cavalry, a gallant
soldi) r, who had already been reoom-luendcd-for
promotion, was fafally hurt.
Soon after, a Minie ball struck Byron
ilirby in the L it arm, and (lifted
bin! clear out of bis saddle.
Tin bono was shattered. Kirby dis
abled, and he was obliged to leave lho
Held. A shell pow burst In the midst of
the escort. A frag in out lour throngli
Lieut. Porter's clothing, and cut openhil
haversack. Bonfon's, lluhhird's, Porter's
and Garesche's horee had all been
Hti'iick; two orderlies wern killed; tho
Chii f of Staff was dead; Kirby wound
ed; but Ihe General was s'ill unscathiol.
I need not lell you his dauntless person.
ald'ineauor inspired thi troops with eu
itiiiriAi.iii. They yelled like Suit ol
Mais whem-vvr he appeared on tho line.
At about two o'clock thu ineuiy were
discovered right and left of tin) Mm f-ees-t;
)i Pike, adaneing in heavy iijj-ne.i to
a'tae!; or left win'. Such a field of
tuiile is rarely wime-.ie 1. it was a
rim i.o on toi'u'iii raotc)