Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-29


front. The cloud of white smoke that en-
most certainly. Our column on our right
could now be seen, preceded by white
cloud, charging up to rebel batteryi now
they are met by musketry from behind the
enemy's works, as it is lined with one dense
volume of smoke, and the rattle Of musketry
is more rapid than before. Our column
halts, stands awhile, is now falling back.
The rebels sally out and make a charge on
our retiring column. Our men are soon
rallied and the rebel charge is met-they
are terribly slaughtered and skedaddle
back behind their trenches. 1t is very ex-
citing to look upon such real war pic
ture. To the left our column advance and
are met in like manner by terrific dis
charges ofmusketry from behind the rebel
works. These scenes were continued
through the day, but to my eye, our troops
were gaining no ground. This made the
scene more exciting. The fame and smoke
kept belehing forth from their batteries,
upon which we had made repeated charges.
Why don't our men silence them? l was
ready to sacrifice one hat TO see our men
silence that terrible battery on our right
Alas, itceuld not be done Many noble
heart gave its last drop of blood to accom-
plish it, but the sacrifice was unavailing.
Here come the wounded, some in ambu-
lanees nfhsrs limping -alnne, otha-z uHish
wounds in their hands, arms, faces and
heads. Here is a pale boy supported by
two comrades, scarcely able to draw his
feet along. In q moment he is in our car
rage and is off for the hospital. Here
comes q lieutenant colonel, wounded in
the calf, slowly creeping up the hill, using
his sword for his cane. Here is young
man badly wounded in the foot, who hops
upon one foot short distance, then stops
to rest, leaning upon q stick. All kinds Of
wounds l have seen, and strange TO say,
not q groan nor whine from one Of the
wounded.
The roar Of battle RACES all day without
intermission. The explosions are so con-
tinuous that light artillery is not distin-
guished. The siege guns alone are heard
above the general roar. Our shells are
continually exploding in the woods back of
the rebel batteries and in their batteries.
They must be shell proof or their guns
would be silenced. The enemy are she'll
ing the city. The little white clouds over
the city, show that the shell burst too
quick. The sun is fast sinking, but little
time is left to gain the summit OF those
frowning hills. The darkness gradually
comes on, and the red flashes of each dis
charge is visible, but the battle increases,
if possible, in the clash Of arms. Il seems
as if darkness is not going TO stop the car
mage. For an hour after dark it is con-
tinued Now we hear cheering over the
river. The noise slackens, and all is soon
quiet. The night is quiet and warm
what blessing to the wounded.
The firing was more terrific than the bat
tie of Antietsm, or any other battle Of the
war, but strange to say, with small loss
Of life.
The batteries will be taken on Saturday
night at the point of the bayOnet, was the
guess of many. The battle will be resumed
on Sunday,wa the expectation ofall. But
Sunday came, and its bright, warm sun
shone on calm, quiet day-the scene Of
the previous days carnage was undis-
turbed except by an occasional crack from
the rifle Of q sharp-shooter.
We had 500 or 600 Secesh prisoners to
amuse ourselves with on Sunday. They
formed in circle and guard outside
rs---a----a general
conversation was keptup passed around
and listened TO much Of it. The rebels
were generally good-nstured and tslkative.
They were dressed comfortably and COM
fortably shod, but presented q singular
sight. The color Of their clothes was gray
and butternut, and no two had the same
cut of clothes. Slouched hats, caps Of eve
ry shape and color were worn. l saw two
or three Of our blue oyercoats among them.
They were evidently, by their countenances
and intelligence, members of the poor
white class of the South-not one Of the
whole number, l will wager, ever owned a
slave.
aHere's a North Carolinian," says one
man, putting his hand on contrabsnd's
shoulder. i..tla
"YOu from North China ?" says secesh.
"Yes, sar," answers Gumbo.
f" You are welcome to all Of them" says
Secesh.
We're on our way after them. - says one
man. Hr.
Another says: "Where's Jackson2"
We were under him. Hes on our
right" says Secesh.
"He's a fghtin' man, says our man.
Yaas, good name he's got, Stonewall
Rather hard to get over, / reckon says
Secesh. @ - .E -.L -r tI+
"Why did you turn out Mcclellan he's
good man." says Secesh.
Answered by general snieker by our
men.
He's slow but sure" continued Secesh.
Yes, too id slow" says our man.
Other conversation of like import con-
tinued all day. got little idea Of feed
ing great army. The Post Commissary,
Capt Wilson, has four or five officers and
score of clerks 10 oversee and take
charge Of the issue merely of rations in
bulk. He had the army supplied with ten
days rations and had on hand about half
million, which were being issued contin-
ually. The teams to convey it away
sometimes cover acres in the vicinity Of
the post. So that officer and Capt. Wiley,
Winchester and host Of others, am un-
der obligations for multitude Of good
On Monday morning I took the cars
with the dead and wounded and returned
to Acquia Greek, where g Government
steamer awaited US TO take us to Wash
ington, where we safely arrived, having
spent three days with the Army Of the Po-
tOmac, and in that time became satisfied
that it is much easier to command an ar
my at home in an easy chair, then to be on
hand and face the enemy. I think much
Of Burnside, he was cool as a philosopher.
The Army swear by him, and it is my
opinion that the Army of the Potomac is
stronger to-day than before the battle.
Yours E.B.