The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-02-22
Rebels.
Rebels.

The lines, of course, do not represent exact
positions, for you are to remember that it 10 .
broken country-hills and hollows a. irregular
as the waves Of Lake Michigan-that portion
Of Netherlands force was on the right hand
side Of the road, portion east OF it, and some
troops in it; that when the enemy advanced,
they we're just ~ they had been lying in their
blankets in the open air, or getting ready for
breakfast.
Immediately the whole division was astir, wait
ing for what might turn up. As the rebels near
ed our forces they deployed and formed In line
Of battle, making the most furious attack upon
the right; also sending their Mississippi sharp
shooters, az ono of the Captains, now prisoner,
informed me, to the left 70 throw the 18th and
Goth regiments into confusion.
II was about seven O'Clock, when the firing
began on the right, and in a few minutes it was
running like train Of powder on q floor, along
the entire line. The rebels advanced with de-
termination-not in . regular line, but in the
guerilla underwriting themselves Of the trees
and the undulations Of the ground. Their design
Was to cut the division at the centre turn the re-
giments on the right, composing Oglesby' brigade
up against the creek and capture them. But their
movements to that end were foiled. The regiments
at the center being pressed, after standing hot
fire, begun gradually to fall hack, which render
ed it necessary for 0glesby to do the same - he
separated, from the division, and the entire right
wing of the division accordingly swung back,
slowly at Arst Drssser's and Sehwartzs bat
teries we're brought into position - soon as pos
sible, and for . while there was . very heavy
frs, accompanied by continued rolls Of musket-
~. II one were to judge BY sound alone, oil
battles would be terrific but when . fight 10
waged in forest, the trees high up the
branches usually suffer most. There, Was how.
ever, considerable loss on both sides, ct this
point
And now occurred one OF those blunders com.
mon in warfare. The enemy pressing hard upon
our forces, Gen. HcCleTnsnd sent Major Bray.
man for reinforcemsnts. he rode rapidly to the
moved forward, crossed the road, and came up
in the resr of the 80th and 31st. These regi.
ments we're lying down and firing over the crest
Of ridge. As Col Cruft. oame in the rear Of them
they rose to their feet, not knowing whether the
force In their rear was friend or foe. The 26th
Ky, supposing them to be rebels, poured In
volley, which did terrible execution Il Il not
possible to ASCERTAIN how many fell under the
fire, but It was sufficient to throw the entire di.
vision into disorder, and at once there WAS a.
most panic. Some Of them took TO their heels,
threw down their guns and equipments, and Hsd
to the rear crying IAN is lost We are eli
Sue ~ PAVSeU euO 0e0SuoS OAYGCvDtOuUs 0O00
Of them even fed to Fort Henry, twelve miles
distant, and Immediately the woods were Rlled
with stragglers
The enemy improved the opportunity, and i'd
vanced upon Dresser's and Schwartz batteries.
capturing Eve guns, taking possession Of Gen.
NcClernand's headquarters, and driving our for.
ces nearly mile and half They had opened
the gap; and not only that but had In the ioust
driven 10, captured ave guns and had reason to
feel that the day was theirs.
But now they committed fatal mistake. In
stead of adheriDg 70 the original plan, 70 escape,
they resolved to follow up: their advantage BY
pursuit, cut % up and capture The entire army.
The eight had lasted nearly four hours. and
4cClernandS division was exhausted; besides.
they were out Of ammunition.
At this juncturt Gen. Wsllace's division wss
thrown in front. They took up position on Z
ridge, With Captain TaJlc.'s bssssfy IN the cen.
ter ct the sesd, commanding II down the ridge
20 the oostom o. favine. tcGlesnandt divi.
non was MAKING up its scattered ranks, ready
20 supPort Wauace: II was now just noon
nearly o,cioc6 Tne rsoeis formed upon the
ndge which yen. ncUIernand had occupied
snIooen we night Tney we're flushed With suc-
~ ana os.cenceo see ndgs with the expscta-
..on ~ lOaune we 1ankeea A. they came In
lenge, Taylor opened upon them with shell, grape
s.o c.a's.el Iney qunled before y, advanced
=. ~ psce. oame e - Hsit ana e the infan.