New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-20


this immense force on the right, but 10000 men
were given 10 Burnside for the decisive movement
of the day. rr..- '.. -...
Still more unfortunate in its results was the total
failure Of these separate attacks on the right and
left TO sustain, or in any manner cooperate with
each other. Burnside hesitstcd for hours in front
Of the bridge which should have been carried at
once BY = coup de main. Meantime Hooker bad
been fighting for four hours with various fortune,
but final success. Sumner had come up too late to
Join in The decisive attack which his earlier arrival
would probably have converted into complete sue
cess aud Franklin reached the scene Only when
Sumner had been repulsed. Probably before hs
arrival the Rebels had transferred considerable
number Of troops TO their right to meet the attack
| of Brnside the direction Of which was then sus.
pected or developed.
| Attacking first with one regiment, then with two,
and delaying both for artillery, Burnside was not
over the bridge before ociock-perhaps not till 3.
lie advanced slowly up the slopes in his front, bis
batteries in rear covering, TO some extent the move
ments Of the infantry. A desperate fight was going
on in deep ravine his right, the Rebel batteries
were in full play and, apparently, very Annoying
and destructive, while heavy columns OF Rebel
troops were plainly visible advancing as if careless
Of conceanent, along the road and over the hills III
the direction Of Burnside's forces. 1t was at this
point Of tire that Mcclellan rent him the order above
given.
Burnside obeyed it moot gallantly. Getting his
troop. well in hand, and sending a portion Of his
artillery TO the 'front.' he advanced them with rapidly
and the most determined vgor, straight up the hill
in front, on top of which the Rebels had maintained
their moot dangerous battery. Tns movement was
in plain view Of McClellans position. and as Frank
lin, on the other side sent his batteries into the fed
about the same time, the battle seemed to open IN all
dire c;ions with greater activity than ever.
| The fgh. in the ravine was in full progress the
batteries which Porter supported were firing with
new vigor, Franklin blazing away on the right,
hilltop ridge aud woods along the whole line
was crested and vailed with white clouds of smoke
All day had been clear and bright since the carly
cloudy morning, and now this whole magnificent,
scene shone with the speDdor OF an after
noon September -Four miles Of battle, It's glory
all visible it, horrors all vailed, the fate OF the
Republic hanging on the hour-eould any one be
iu.ensible OF its grandeur.
There are two bills on the left Of the road, the
furthest the lowest. The Rebels have batteries on
both Burnside is ordered to carry the nearest TO
him, hch is the furthest from the road. His guns
opening first from this position in 'front.' soon
entirely controlled and silenced the esemys artillery
The infantry came on at once, moving rapidly aud
steadily up long dark lines, and broad, dark masses,
being plainly visible without glass as they moved
over the green hillside.
The next moment the road in which the Rebel
battery was planted was canopied with clouds OF
dust swiftly descending into the valley. Underneath
was 4 tumult Of wagons, guns, horses, and men NY
| ing at speed down the road. Blue flashes Of smoke
burst now and then among them, horse or man
or half dozen went down, and then the whhlwind
swept on.
TIE bill was carried, but could It he held The
Rebel columns before seen moving to the left, In.
creased their pace. The guns, on the hill above,
sent an angry tempest Of shell down among Burn
.iie's guns and men, lie had formed his columns
apparently 10 the near angles Of two felds bordering
the road-hgh ground about them everywhere
except in rear.
In another moment q Rebel battle-lne appears on
the brow Of the ridge shove them, moves swiftly
down in the most perfect order and though met by
ncessant discharges Of musketry OF which we plain
ly see the fashes does notiire gun. White spaces
show where men are falling, but they close up IN.
stantly, aud still the line ndvs The bngades OF
BURNSIDE are in heavy column they will not give
wav before a bayonet charge in line. The Rebels
think twice before they dash into these hostile nasses
There is a bait the Rebel left gives way and scat
ters over the fed tie rest stand fast and fire. More
infantry comes mp, Burnside is outnumbered;
banked, compelled to yield the bill he took 80
bravely. HE position is no longer one OF attach;
he defends himself with unfaerng Grmness but be
sends 10 Mcclellan for help. McClellan's glass for
the last half hour las seldom been turned away
from the left.
He sees clearly enough that Burnside 10 pressed
needs no messenger TO tell him that. His face grows
darker with anxious thought. Looking down into
the valley where $4,000 troops are lying, be turns
MISUNDERSTANDING look on Fiz John Porter, who
stands by his side, gravey scanning the field. They
are Porers troope below, are fresh and only impa-
tent to share in this fight. But Porter slowly shakes
his head and one may believe that tie same thought
il passing through the minds Of both generals:
They are the only reserves OF tie army; they cannot
be spared"
Mcclellan remounts lis horse aud with Porter
and dozen officers OF his staff rides away TO the
left 10 Burnsde's direction. Sykes meets them on
the rosd-a good toldier, whose opinion is worth
taking. The three Generals talk briefly together.
1t is easy TO see that the moment has come when
everything may turn on ore order given or with
held, when the history of the battle is only to DO
written in thoughts and purposes and words Of the
General
Buu5'de's messenger rides mp. His message is.
"Iwant troops and guns. If you do not send them
! cannot hold my position for half an hour" Nc