Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-01-06

mentary cessation of the action ensued
while additional ferces hurried up to the
aid of each army Ripley's brigade,
Hlndman's artillery, and Porter's yolun-
teers, on the part of the Americans, un-
der Major General Brown; and a strong
reinforcement under Gen Drummond to
that of the British Hindman's artillery
was attached to that of Towson. and soon
made itself heard Porter's brigade de
ployed on the left, while Ripley formed
on the skirts of the wood to the right of
Scott's brigade The engagement was
soon renewed with augmented vigor Gen
eral Drummond taking command in per
son, with his fresh troops in the front line
to the enemy. Colonel Jessup who had
at the commencement of the action been
posted on the right succeeded after a
gallant contest, In turning the left flank
Of the enemy, and came in upon his re
serve, "burdened with prisoners, making
himself visible to his own army amid the
darkness, In . blaze of fire." completely
destroying all before him The fight rag
ed for some time with great fury, but it
became apparently useless to the Ameri-
cans, if the enemy retained possession Of
the battery, manifestly the key of the po-
sition
was standing at the side of Colonel
Miller, said the Major, when General
Brown rode up and inquired whether he
could storm the Battery with his regi-
ment, while General Ripley supported
him with the younger regiment, the twen-
ty-third. Miller, amid the uproar and
confusion, deliberately surveying the po-
sition, then quietly turning with infinite
coolness, replied, "I'H trL Sir" | think
/ see him now. as drawing up his gigan-
tic figure to its full height, he turned to
his regiment, drilled to the precision of
piece of mechanism, | hear his deep tones
Twenty first attention form into
column; advance up the hill to storm the
battery; deliver your fire at the port
lights of the artillerymen, and carry the
guns at the point Of the bayonet-Sup-
port arms-d0uble quick. march I" Ma
chinery could not have moved with more
cOmpactness than that gallant regiment
followed the fearless stride of It's leader
Supported by the Twenty third, the dark
mass moved up the hill like one body, the
lurid light hickering and glittering on
their bayonets, as the cousbined fire Of the
enemys infantry and artillery opened
murderously upon them. They finched
not-they faltercd not-the stern voice
Of the officers as the deadly cannon cut
yawnins chasms through them, alone was
heard-"ClOse up-steady men--steady."
Within hundred yards Of the summit a
vOlley, sharp, instantaneous as clap of
thunder another moment. rushing under
the white smoke, a short furious struggle
with the bayonet, and thc artIlIerymeu
were swept from their guns like chatf- ~
Another fierce struggle, the enemy's lines
were forced down the side Of the hill.
and the victory was ours, the position en-
tirely In our hands, their own pieces turn
edand playing upon them in their retreat
1t was bought at a cruel price most of
the officers being either killed or wound
ed The whole tide Of battle now turned
to this point. The result of the conflict
depended entirely upon the ability of the
victorious party to retain it. Major Hind
man was ordered up and posted his fore
es at the side of the captured cannon
while the American line correspondinglv
advanced. Stung with notification Gen
eral Drummond concentrated his forces.
to retake by a desperate charge the posi-
ton. The interval amid the darkness
was alone filed by the roar Of the cata-
racts, and the groans Of the wounded -
He advanced with strong reinforcements,
out fanking each side Of the American
line. We were only able, in the murkv
darkness, to ascertain their approach by
their heavy tread "They halted within
twenty PAGES, poured in rapid fire and
prepared for the rush" Directed bv the
blaze, our men returned 1t with deadly eff
feet, aud after a desperate struggle the
dense column rcc0iled Another interval
of darkness and silence, and again a most
furious and desperate charge was made
by the British, throwing the whole weight
of their attack upon the American cen
tre. The gallant twenty first, which com
posed it, receiving them with undaunted
hrmness. while the fire from our lines was
dreadfully effective Hindman's artillery
being served with the most perfect cool
ness and effect Staggering, they again
recoiled. During this second attack. Gen +
Scott IN person, his shattered brigade now
consolidated into a single battalion, made .
two determined charges upon the right
and left flank of the enemy, and in these I
he received the scars which his country I
men DOW see upon his manly front Our T
men were now almost worn down with IA (
tigue, dying with thirst for which thev
could gain no relief The British. with .
fresh rcuforccments, their men refreshed .
and recruited. after the interval of au0th- .
cr hour. made their third and final effort .
to regain their position. They advanced. /
delivered their fire as before, and altbo
it was returned with deadly effect. steadi-
ly pressed forward The Twenty first .
again sustained the shock. and both lines
were soon engaged in conflict, obstinate
aud dreadful beyond description The .
right aud left of the American line fell T
back for a moment. but we're Immediately .
rallied bv their officers. so desperate
did the battle now become that many bat
tallicns on both sides were forced back.
the men engaged in indiscriminate melee.
fought hand to hand, and with muskets
dubbed and so terrific was the conflict
where the cannon were stationed that Ma
ior Hindman had to engage them over his
i av,l