Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1861-09-13

mand the direct approach to the ford but with or
ders to retire to the rear soon as commanded b!
the enemy.
The northern bank of the stream, in front o
Longstreet's position, rises with steep slope a
least fifty feet above the level of the water leaving
a narrow berne in front of the ford some twenty
yards This ridge formed for them an admirabl,
natural parapet, behind which they could and did
approach under shelter in heavy force, within les
than one hundred yards of our skrmishers. The
southern shore was almost plain, raised but a few
feet above the water for several hundred yards then
rising with very gradual gentle slope and undu-
lating back to Manassas. On the immediate bank
there was fringe of trees, but with little, If any
undergrowth or shelter, while the other shore
there were timber and much thick brush and COW
ering The ground in rear of our skrmishers and
occupied by our artillery, was an odfeld extending
along the stream about one mile, aud Immediately
back for about half a mile, to border or skrting
of dense second-growth pines. The whole of this
ground was commanded at all points by the ridge
occupied by the enemy's musketry, as was also the
country TO the rear for distance much beyond the
range of 2O-pounder rife guns, by the range of hills
on which their batteries were planted and which,
it may be further noted, commanded also all our ap-
proaches from this direction to the three threatened
| fords
Before advancing his infantry, the enemy main
tanned fire of rifle artillery from the batteries just
/
ward a column of over three thnusand infantry to
the a sauit with such weight of numbers as to be
repelled with difficulty by the comparatively small
force of not more than twelve hundred boyonets
with which Brgadier General Longstreet met him.
with characteristic vigor and intrepidity. Our
troops engaged at this time were the First and Sc
venth, and four companies of the Eleventh. Regi-
ments virgsnia Volunteers. Their resistance, was
resoute, and maintained with steadness worthy
of all praise 1t was successful and the enemy was
repulsed In short time, however, he returned to
the contest with increased force and determination
but was again foiled and driven back by our skir-
mshers and Longstreets reserve companies, which
were brought up and employed at the most vigor-
ously assailed points at the critical moment.
1t was now that Brig. Gen. Longstreet sent for
reinforcements from Early's brigade, which | had
anticipated by directing the advance of Gen. EARLY,
with two regiments of infantry and two pieces of
artillery. As these came upon the field, the enc
my had advanced third time with heavy dumbers
to force Lougstreets position. Hays regiment 7th
Louisiana volunteers, which was in advance, was
placed on the bank of the stream, under some COW
err to the immediate right and left of the ford, re-
lieving Corses regiment, 18th Virginia volunteers
This was done under a heavy fire of musketry
with promising steadiness. The 7th Virginia un-
der Lieut. Col Williams, was then formed to the
right also under heavy fire, and pushed forward to
the stream relieving the lst regiment Virginia vol
unteers, At the same time two rife guns, brought
up with Early's brigade were moved down in the
field to the right of the road TO be concealed
from the enemy's artillery by the girth of timber
on the immediate bank of the stream, and there
opened fire. directed only by the sound of the enc
my's muSketry Unable to effect passage the en-
emy kept up q scattering fire for some time. Some
of our troops had pushed across the stream and
several small parties of Corses regiment, under
command of Capt. Mayre, met and drove the enemy
Will tla h,t tl.n
ford was too narrow for combined movement in
force Gen. Longstreet recalled them to the south
| bank. Meanwhile the remainder of Earlys infan-
try and artillery had been called up; that is, six
companies of the Gath regiment Virginia yolun-
eers, under Col. Hairston, and five pieces of art-
lery, rife gun, and four 6-pounder brass guns,
including two 6-pounder guns under Lieut.. Garn-
cit, which had been previously sent to the rear by
Gen Longstreet This infantry was at once placed
in position to the left of the ford, i'll a space unoc-
cupied by Hays and the artillery was unlimbered
in battery to the right of the road, in line with
the two guns already in action. A scattering fire
of musketry was still kept ny by the enemy foi a
short time, bnt that was soon silenced.
1t was at this stage of the affair that remarka-
bic artillery duel was commenced and maintained
on our side with n long trained professional Oppo-
nent-superior in the character well as the num-
her of his weapons provided with improved muni-
tions and every artillery appliance, and at the same
time occupying the commanding position The re-
sults were marvellous, and fitting precursors to the
artillery achievements of the 2lst July. In the
outset our fire was directed against the enemys in
hntry, whose bayonets cleaning above the tree
tops alone indicated their presence and force This
drew the attention of a battery placed on high
commanding ridge, and the duel began in earnest
y For time the aim of the adversary was inaccur-
ate but this was quickly corrected and shot fell
and shell burst thick and fast in the very midst O
No. e Al
Capt. Eschelman five privates, and the horse Of 1t
a Richardson. From the position of our pieces aud
4 the nature of the ground, their aim could only be
directed mt the smoke of the enemys artillery
| How skilfully and with what execution this was
DONE can only be realized by an eyewitness. Fol
t few moments their guns were silenced, but were
soon re-opnn ID. By direction Of Gen. Longstreet
: his battery was then advanced by hand out of the
ranges now ascertained by the enemy, and show.
er of spherical case, shell AMI round shot few ove
Y the heads of our gunners; but one of our piece.
had become hOrs dlt combat from an enlarged vent
4 From the new position, guns-hred as before
Is with no other aim than the smoke and flash of tht
k adyersare's pieCes-renewed aud urged the con1ic
: with such signal vigor and effect that gradual,
J. the fire of the enemy slackened. the intervals be
i tween their discharges grew longer, and faay t
K cease, and we fired last gun at a hatfied, hyin
foe whose heavy masses in the dis ance were plain
ly seen to break and scatter in wild contus on
i utter rout, strewng the ground with cast-awa,
guns hats b9nkets, and knapsacks, as our partin.
a shell was thrown amongst them, In their retrea
one of their pieces was abandoned but from the ma
It ture Of the ground it not sent for that night
It and under cover of darkness the enemy recovere,
d il.
d The guns engaged in this singular conflict Of
: our side were three 6-pounder rifle pieces and fou
! ordinary 6-p, unders all of Walton's battery tn
Washington Artillery, of New Orleans The off
s GERS Immediately attached were Capt. Eschelmau
h Leutenants c. w. Squires Richardson, Garnet
e and Wilmington At the same time our intantr
held the bank of the stream in advance of our guns
1t and the missiles of the combatnnts flew to and fir
,, above them as cool and veteran-like for tina
If an bur they steadily awaited the moment and sig
It nal to advance.
1t While the conflict was at its height before Black
of burns Ford about o'clock, p NJ the enemy agai
er displayed himself in force before Bonham's pos
Or ton At this Col. Kershaw, with four companiC
id of his regiment I'd South Carolina, and one piec
oF Kemneris Artillery were thrown across NJ tel