The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-05-21

orders OF movement, copy Of which is
herewith marked "a" we're issued. and
the movement. after some delay, com
msnesd, the troops being in admirable
spirits. II was expected We should DO
able to reach the enemy. lines in time
to attack them early OF the 9th inst
The men, however, for the most part,
were unused to marching, the roads mar
row, aud traversing a densely wooded
country, became almost impossible after
n severe rain storm on the night Of the
4tb, which drenched the troops in oivou
&C; hence our forces did not reach the in.
tersectiou Of the roads from Pn,,bu,s
and Hamburg, in the immediate vicinity
Of the enemy, until late Saturday after
noon.
1t was then decided that the attack
should be made on the next morning, At
the earliest hour practicable, in accor-
dance with the orders Of movement-tbat at
is, 10 three lines Of battle the first and
second extending from Owl creek on the
left to Lick creek on the right, a distance
Of about three miles, supported by the
third and the reserve. The first line un.
der Major General Hardee, was cons,itu.
ted Of his corps, augmented on his right
by G'addens brigade, Of Major General
Brsggs corps, deployed in line OF battle,
with their respective artillery, following
immediately by the main road to Pitts
burg, and the cavalry in rsa- Of the wings.
The second line, composed of the other
troops Of Bragg's corps. followed the frs,
at distance Of five hundred yards. in the
same order as the first. Tie army corps
under General Polk followed the second
inc, at the distance of abou, eight hun.
ired yards, in lines Of brigades, dep!oyed
With their batteries in rear Of each brig
'de, moving by the Pit,sburg road, the
eff wing supported by cavalry; the re
erve, under Brigadier General Breckin
idge, followed closely the third line, ia
he Same order, its right wing supported
~ cavalry.
These two corps constituted the reserve
nd were to support the front lines OF bat
lie, by being deployed when required on
he right and left OF the Pit,sburg road,
thsrwise &C; according 10 the exigencies
{ the battle.
Thirty minutes after s o'clock A. NJ,
ur lines and columns were in motion, all
minated evidently by a promising spirit. |
he front line was engs. ed At oacs, but
dvancsd steadily, followed in due order
nth equal resolution and steadiness bv
he other lines, which were brought sue
sssfully into action with rare skill, judg-
nent and gallan,ry, by the several corps
commanders, ss the enemy made a stand
With his masses rallied for the struggle
or his encampmen.s. Like An Alpine
''slanche our troops moved forward, de.
Pite the determined resistance Of the On
my, until after 6 o'clock T. NJ, when we |
we're in possession Of all bis encampt
nents between Owl and Lick creeks but
me. Nearly all Of his field artillery, A.
'out thirty (ao), a.gs, color. snd stand.
'rds, over 5000 prisoners, including di.
''s'on commander (Gen. Pren,iss) and
eVeral brigade commanders, thousands
d small arms, an immense supply OF sub.
''s'ence, forage, and munitions Of war,
and large amount Of means Of trans
porta,ion-all the substantial fruits Of q
complete vctory--such, indeed, as rarely
have followed the most successful battle:
or never was an army so well provided
's that Of our enemy.
The remnant of his army had been
iriven in utter disorder TO the immediate
vicinity Of Piltsburg, under tue shelter of
be heavy guns Of his iron clad gun boats,
'nd We remained undispu,ed masters Of
rs well seIectsd, admirably provided can.
after over twelve hours of oh
innate conflict with his forces, who had
cen beaten from them and the contipu.
us covert, but only By a sustained orse,
all the men We could bring into action.
Our loss was heavy, as will appear
'om the accompanying return marked
B." Our Commander in Chief, Gen. A.
!. 'ohhston, fell mortsiIy wounded and
led on the Geld at 2 80 p. M, after hav-
'g shown the highest qualities Of the
ommaudsr, aod a personal intrepidi,y
hat inspired all around brm, and gave
es's.less impulsion to his columns at crit
,al moments.
The chief command then deyolved u,.
n me, though at the time I was greatly
TOatSated and aofT.r;oc H. u |