The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-08 00:00:00

OPENING OP THE BATTLE.

The early forenoon passed away without fore-
warning of the approaching conflict, but shortly
before eleven o'clock the storm that had been
brewing all the morning on the rebel side burst
forth in the expected direction. At that time a long
mass of rebel infantry was seen advancing upon
Brannan's division on the extreme left. It first
came upon the second brigade, Col. Croxton com-
manding, and soon forced it back despite its deter-
mined resistance. The two other brigades of the
division at once came to its assistance, and succeeded
in checking the progress of the rebels, and driving
them back ; but their column being in turn strongly
reinforced, they advanced again with wild yells.
So powerful was this assault that they pushed
Brannan back to and beyond his position in the line,
and thus uncovered the left of Baird's division.
Making prompt use of their advantage, they
changed their course to the left, and speedily en-
veloped Scribner's and King's brigades—the latter
of regulars. They were almost surrounded, but
managed to disentagle themselves after fearful loss.
The crushing rebel masses next came upon John-
son's division, and rolled it upon Reynolds', which
also became speedily involved in the desperate
struggle. The stubborn resistance of those divi-
sions, however, and the sweeping fire of some bat-
teries posted under the personal supervision of Gen.
Rosencranz, arrested at last their sweeping advance.
VICTORIOUS ADVANCE OF GEN. THOMAS' CAMP.
The divisions of Brannan and Baird having been
rallied, General Thomas ordered a general advance
of the right, and soon the tide of battle was deci-
dedly turned in our favour. With cheers our line
advanced, halting only at times to shatter the
enemy with musketry. Several times the latter's
retreating line stopped and vainly tried to retain
their gained ground ; but steadily they were driven
from position to position, and by four o'clock all the
ground lost was nearly recovered. Several batte-
ries belonging to Gens. Baird's and Brannan's Di-
visions, whose horses had been killed and supports
were swept away, were retaken, and several hun-
dred prisoners captured. The enemy left all their
dead and nearly all their wounded on the field.
There were at least 500 of the former. The rebel
troops engaging Thomas belonged to Buckner's
and Longstreet's commands.
REBEL ATTACK ON OUR CENTRE.—THEIR REPULSE
BY REYNOLDS' DIVISION.

At the time the struggle was turning in our
favour on the left, Bragg's army proper, consisting
of the corps of Polk and Hill (formerly Hardee's)
moved to a most determined well executed attack
upon Palmer's and Van Cleve's divisions iu the
centre. Its object was obviously to relieve the de-
feated rebel right. Palmer and Van Cleve soon
found themselves overpowered and their divisions
breaking. Their complete rout was imminent, when
Davis' division came to their support on Van Cleve's
right. The timely reinforcements at first had the
effect of checking the enemy and restoring our line;
but the rebel attack was speedily renewed with
greater numbers, and the centre again compelled to
yield. Davis was forced to the right and Van Cleve
to the left, and the enemy advanced through the
opening made in our line, threatening to take the
centre and right by their flanks, as they had done
on the left. At this critical juncture Sheridan's
division appeared, and was at once thrown upon

,he enemy. It stood its ground gallantly for a while,

but becoming soon exposed to a destructive flank
fire, was also compelled to fall back. Fortunately,
the divisions of Gens. Wood and Negiey, that had
been early withdrawn from Gordon's Mills when
the rebal attack on the left threatened to be suc-
cessful, now came to the rescue. After a brief con.-

test the rebels found themselves at last matched,
and commenced giving way in their turn, Reynolds
having also been sent to the assistance of the centre.
After the repulse of the rebel right an advance
was ordered, and the original position regained
about sunset.

FINALE OF SATURDAY'S BATTLE.

About dark the enemy made another demonatra-

tion, with a heavy artillery and musketry fire upon
the centre, but eliciting a lively response, they soon
abandoned this last effort of the day. Thus ended
the battle of the 18th. It had been a defensive one
on our part, and although we lost no ground, and
probably less men and material than the enemy, its
result could hardly be claimed as a triumph of
Union arms. No substantial advantage had been
won, and a large portion of the army was badly

shattered. That the enemy, with his numerical
superiority, would be able to offer again battle on
the following day, could well be supposed. Gen.
Rosencranz anticipated a renewal of the struggle,
and prepared for it.

THE WORK OF THE NIGHT.-OUR NEW LINES OF

BATTLE.
During the night the disposition of our forces was
changed. The line was made to rest along a cross-
road running north-east and south-west, and con-

fleeting the Itossville and Lafayette, roads. By this
disposition our extreme right was made to rest on
Missionary ridge. The new line was a mile shorter
than that of the day before. The different divisions
were disposed in this order:—From right to left,

one brigade of Negley's, Johnson's, Baird's, Pal-
mer's, Reynolds', two brigades of Negley's, Wood's,
Sheridan's and Davis'. Brannan's and Van Cleve's
formed the reserve. The mounted brigades of

Wilder and Minty covered the right flank.

THE BATTLE OF SUNDAY.
Sunday morning broke upon the hostile armies as
fair as that of the preceding day. Contrary to the

universal expectation on our side, the enemy again

allowed the early hours, so well suited to offensive
man co avres, to pass away undisturbed by the sounds
of battle. The adaptation of their plan of attack to

our new line doubtless necessitated this. About,
nice o'clock a few shots were heard at various

points of our front, but it was only at a little before
ten that the report of whole volleys announced the
resumption of the fight in good earnest. The firing
that had begun upon our left at once assumed the
fiercest character. The enemy repeated the tactic
firs
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u the previous day by throwing themselves
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