Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-08-20

viii osOVOe W0u0 lew OSO O0JPeO
theoselveeto horssa and oil we're ma
king their way - jast as they could TO-
war@s tom. Going still further, one
came TO 1spriDg, siiuAtsd , few hun
dred yards from the line OF fight, in . ra-
vine, and here the wounded were con-
veyed, and here the doctors were busy
in their humane but unweacons dosy.
But to return and take things seridtim
from the beginning. Both Of the forces
arrived on the grounds designed for the
respective attacks OF each, little sitter
sunrise and instead Of making eur
prise ~ was expected, they toasd the
enemy I'll prepared tor them, having
been notified BY their videttes, Who ran
in without firing shot-st least this
was the case on the side approached by
the forces under Gen. Lyon.
At the west end OF the enemy's line,
the ravine takes short turn and runs to
the north. The enemy was in the ra
vine, bis flank extending up to the point
where the ravine makes its turn-r,gbt
on the west bank Of the bend, and CON-
handing the ravine to the east-Cal'-
tain Totten's Battery was stationed.
A little back Of Cept. Totten, and lit
tie more to the lett vas Dubois Battery,
also commanding the ravioe, and sweep
ING it, In connection with the other bat
terry with cross-fire. On the right OF
the batteries, and facing the south bauk
of the ravine, the lst Missouri regiment
vas stationed, While TO the rear, on
ground that tloped from the brow OF the
ravine down to the spring, the Iowa and
Kansas regiments we're stationed as
reserve. Following down the right bank
OF the rayine, at distance OF one hun
bred and fifty yards, one passed over
space covered with stunted under
growth of oak, and reached the timber
in which the enemy were posted 10
great strength. Following down the
right bank OF the ravlne at a point about
hall way between the brow aud foot of
the hill, one reached the first battery Of
the enemy, and little further on, and
more to the left, another. Keeping on
down the ravibe tor three-fonrths of a
mile or SO, the baggage OF the enemy
was passed, and their camp-about two
miles down the ravine, ran south again
for q short distance; aud here was post
ed another portion OF the enemy, and
right here Gen. Sigel commenced his at
tack.
The engagement was opened by
throwing IN front Of the Missouri regi-
uent . company or SO Of regulars, who
acted as skirmishers. A few volleys
from them elected a heavy return from
the enemy posted in the timber in front,
beneath which the regulars fell back in
good order, although considerably cut
up. 4 rush from the enemy followed,
when Capt. To,ten opened on them with
his four pieces with round shot and can
mister. His pieces were well served,a
their music was soon after joined by
Dubois, which was replied to by the
two batteries OF the enemy at the end Of
about FIVE minutes. Scarcely we're the
batteries at this point in full working or
der, ere the roar of conflict came up
from the point to be attacked by SigeI,
showing that he too was at work-a CIR
cumstance that met with Tremendous
cheers on the part of the Federal forces.
The cannonade from sixteen pieces on
one side and twenty-one on the other,
was, as can easily be IMAGINED, none Of
the lightest, and it was kept up with
nearly fonr hours.
The bali was thus fairly opened on
both sides, and theaceforth the work
was serious TO degree. The enemy d.
ected their batteries upon the Fedora
Artillery, and upon our right line firing
she'll and round shot with immense ra-
pidity bnt poor aim-nearly all the dan
serous missils passing too high-a fact
shown In the circumstance that during
all the tremendous FIRE poured upon him
Capt. Totten did. not lose single man.
In the meantime the right OF the ar
tillery protected by the lst Missouri, was
swept by the musketry of the enemy.
full regiment of the enemy suddenly
made dart forward, upon the Missouri
LIST, and had reached within fifty yards
of them vixen the deadly fire poured il
upon them from the gallant Let causing
them to falter, and finally to break tor
the cover they had just left, leaving,
however,a goodly number of their 70. &c
upon the ground. A regiment, ho~ev-
or, was nothing to them, for scarcely
had the fragments of the other van.
ished in the shelter Of the timber, ere
another came pouring OUT, aud ad-
vanced in the track OF their predeces.
~ors Again did the gallant lst pour
in voliey after volley upon them, till
they too broke and fled to the rear.
third regiment took their place and
one IN re effort was made in the same
direction as before, with precisely the
same result. But the incessant storm
of lead that swept the ground occu-
pied by the Missouri lst, had told
fearfully upon them, aud their scatter
ed ranks were ordered to the rear,
while the Kansas LIST regiment came
up and took their place.
The Kansas men calamity stood the
storm for awhile, and then with deci.
mated ranks gave way to the Iowa
LIST.
1t is impossible to particuIarize all
the events Of the battle upon this part
OF the field. 1t was here that q ire.
mendous struggle was constantly kept
up, one which tried the courage Of our
men to the utmost. From the large area
in front, the vast hordes Of the enemv