The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-09-16

10 the front the lanQ breaks AhAe
hill and dale, forming sort of amphltheatre
About a mile Immediately in front were few
houses called Groveton, l believe; and this point
the Yankees occupied with strong battery
indeed, two of them. On their right and rear
long lines of infantry were seen in line OF battle,
and far in the distance immense clouds of dust
filled the heavens. From early morn brisk little
picket firing was kept up on cur right, oar Doys
occupying barn and an orchard. An attempt
was made by few companies advancing through
a corn-feld) to drive out this troublesome picket.
In our own battalion there are l6 guns; and four
others, two from Norfolk and two from Lynch
burg, believe, making 90 occupied the crest of
the hill before mentioned. The rifle guns were
| ordered, to 'fre at the men in the corn-hed' A
few shots stopped their advance, and caused the
men to scatter and lie down. Then commenced a
cannonading between our batteries and two of the
enemy's, which was kept up, with intermissions of
Is or 80 minutes, till the great fight took place.
! About l A NJ. regiment advanced rapidly from
the enemy's left, determined this time to drive
out our pickets. This effort succeeded and our
brave sharpshooters retired through the orchard
in good order So soon as they got we'll out of
the way we opened upon the enemy, and in 10
minutes they skedaddled in fine style, sheltering
themselves in the ravines and behind the barn.
| At 2 o'clock the forces that had been moving
almost the whole day towards our left, began to
move in the opposite direction, and we concluded
that they were retiring towards Manassas, two or
three miles distant. Several attempts were now
made to advance upon our left like those to drive
in pickets on our right but few shells served
to scatter the skirmishers and drive them into the
woods that skirted this beautiful valley on either
hand. When almost every officer satisfied
that the enemy, foiled in his attempt to make US
bring on the fight by these little advances on our
right and left, was about to retire, and merely
kept up the canonading in order to conceal his
retreat, suddenly at p. NJ, regiment after regi-
ment of infantry were thrown out of the woods
upon our left and advanced liz very good order
for the purpose of driving out our pckets and
take our batteries on the left flank In an instant,
Col. Lee, always cool and selfpossessed, ordered
every howizer TO the left, and then such blaze
of artillery as | never heard The guns from
the nature of the ground, were very close together
and 1t was almost impossible to distinguish the
discharge of the guns in your own from those in
other batteries. 1t was clear that the next thirty
minutes would determine the fate of all our bat
terles. At the same time the enemy made his
Infantry advance, he commenced a most furious
cannonading. No sound was heard for two hours
from this time but the of cannon and the
bursting of shells. The enemy had 3G-pounder,
which was used some time during the earlier pars
of the day, but fortunately he did not get our
range. So soon the dark columns cot near
enough to our inf ntry, two small regiments
which had been placed upon our left to support
US, poured deadening fire into them.
For some time four or five regiments had gotten
out OF our sight, having advanced under cover of
the hill, and expected to see the men driven out
of the woods and see the enemy mount the hill;
but still the battle ragged. The shells burst above
around, and beneath us. Every man is at his
post; no talking, no ducking OF heads now All
intense, silent earnestness. 1t was an hour bic
with every mans history. 1t was struggle for
life. The face Of every man was flushed, his eve
full, and his arm stronger than was wont. 1t
seemed that the very heavens were in a blaze. or
like two angry clouds surcharged with electricity
and waited by opposing winds, had met terrific in
| battle. Presently the Yankee columns begin to
break and men to fall out to the lear. The re-
treating numbers gradually increase aud presently
the great mass without line or form, now move
back like great multitude without guide or
leader. From slow, steady walk, the great mass,
or many parts OF 1t, move at a run, and our ewes
tell us the victory is Then did many man
say deep down in his heart, with flushed face and
filling eyes, "THank God!' One youth ran to
me and said, ~ thought God scoud giyc as the
Uictory." Who knows but God honored that
child's faith! He heareth the young ravens when
they cry. Now the scene changes Our infantry
pour down from left and right and our guns cease
lest should kill men. The guns of
the enemy, however, blaze the faster, as if in fit
Of desperation. On our right, Longstreet, whose
name is terror to the enemy, closes upon them,
and the hills the right roar with musketry.
The battle gradually recedes--siowly, but steadily,
like great storm of summers day Our am
munition was exhausted and we could not follow.
Until nghtfall the battle ragged, especially the
right ard is said that our loss in that quarter was
hcavy-and that nothing withstood the onset of
men.
| 1t is impossible to state our loss. 1t is, how
ever, much less than that of the enemy. [ know
this from personal inspection. This morning we
moved up and occupied the enemy's ground, and
we are permitted to rest and see if something may
not be had to eat, men have been fasting
for over twenty-four hours. But for green apples
| they would have suffered greatly.
In conclusion, permit me to say that as nation
we have often bowed the knee to beg Gods favo:
in our trials. Should we not, as nation, raise
our hands and our hearts in thanksgiving for his
goodness 1t is not always noble to beg, but tbs
always magnanimous to be grateful.
BATTLE AT GERMANTowN.
The enemy completely routed-Jackson and
Longstreet across the Potomac.
| Another severe battle occurred between the
! Confederates under Gen. A p. Hill and large
body of the enemy, on Monday, 1st inst, at Ger
mantown, small village in Fairfax county, near
the main road leading from Centrevile to Fairfax
Z. H., and about two miles this side of the latter
! Diace The enemy il aprears succeeded in rally