The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-14

Especial Correspondence OF the n. y Tribune
The Battle of ChRnIIIIy--why 10 was
Fought 49, Incidents OF Stevens,s
Death, --HIs Last words.
WASHINGTON, September 8, 1862.
The same hour that Gen. Stevens was
killed ia battle, a number Of prominent
gentlemen, filling influential positions,
were in consultation in this city and in
other parts Of the country, with a view
of having him assigned TO the command
of the Army Of Virginia. Successive
manifestations of inoapacity during a
year of war have caused thinking men TO
cast about for leader These gentle
men had fixed upon General Isaac |. Ste
vens as the man. His splendid conduct
in the battles of Friday and Saturday
Just directed attention TO hint was re-
membered that in pure capacity he had
always been first, having taken the hon
ors at West Point with scarcely an effort,
and though old political enemies, these
men resolved TO ask that he be given a
leading command-while they were con-
sulting he led on his men and fell.
The importance Of the engagement of
Monday night, which lost TO the country
Kearney and Stevens, has not been gener-
ally understood. The truth is, 10 was
not mere episode made noteworthy by
the death of two such leaders, but a cri-
sis where nothing but decision and sac
rilice on the part of those leaders availed
10 prevent disaster.
The army was retreating from Centre
VILE. The battle was fought against a
rebel force that penetrated five miles
nearer Washington than our rear and
was moving to strike upon the Hank.
Gen. Stevens division, the advance of
Reno's corps, was on the left Of the road
taken by the trains, and intercepted the
enemy. He saw that the rebels must be
beaten back at once, or during the night
they would stampede the wagons, and
probably SO discOnceTt our retreat that
the last division would fall-a prey to
their main force. He decided 10 attack
Immediately, at the same time sending
back for support. Having made his dis
positions, he led the attack on foot at the
head Of the 10th (Iighlanders). Soon
meeting a whitening fire, and the Color
Sergeant, Sandy Campbell, gFiZzled old
ScOtchman, being wounded, they faltered.
One OF the color guard took up the flag,
when the General snatched il from him.
The wounded Highlander at his feet
cried, "For Gods sake, General, don't
you take the eolors they'll shoot you if
you do The answer WAS, "Giye me
the colors IL they don't follow now,
they never will !" and he sprang forward,
crying, We are all Highlanders fol-
low, Highlanders forward, nly High
landersY The Highlanders did follow
their Scottish chief; but while sweeping
forward ball struck him on his right
temple. lie died instantly. An hour
afterward, when taken up, his hands
were still clenched around the flag stall
A moment after Selling the cOlOrs, his
son, Capt. Hazard Stevens, fell wounded,
and cried TO his father that he was hurt
With but a glance back, that Roman ia
Their said; Il can't attend 10 you now,
Hazard. Corporal Thompson, see to my
boy
The language have given as General
Stevens was taken down upon the field
by a member of his staff. tie had often
remarked that Il il were his fate 20 fall
in battle, he hoped he should be shot
through the temple and die instantly.
&. A. l..