, 1862-02-19

Dlankcfs III Inc open aets OK RettanEG ready for
breakfast. ..-
Immediately the whole division was astir,
waiting for what might turn up. As the rob /
e1snea1ed our forces they deployed and FORM
ed in line Of battle, making the most furious
attack upon the right; also sending their Mis-
sissippi sharp shooters, as one Of tile Captains, |
now prisoner, informed nc, to the left to
throw the 18th and 10th regiments into confu- /
sion. /
It was about seven, o'clock when the
firing began on the right, and in few minutes |
1t WAS running like q train Of powder on q |
floor, along the entire line The rebels ad- |
vanced with determinatio1- in regular
line, but in tie guerilla mode-availing them |
selves Of the trees and the fluctuations Of the |
ground. Their design was to cut tho division
at the centre. tn1n the regiments Oh the right |
composing Oglesby's Brigade up against the
creek and capture them. But their movements |
to that end were foiled. The regiments
at the center being pressed, after standing
hot fire, begun gradually to fall back, which |
rendered it necessary for og7esbs to do the
same Us he separated, from the division, and
the entire right wing Of tha division accord
ing1y SWING back, slowly at first. Drcsaer's
and Schwartz's batteries wEre broughtiuto
position as soon as possible, and for while
there vas very heavy fire, accompanied by
continued rolls Of musketry. II one were to
Judge by sound alone, all battles would be
terrific; but when fight is waaed in forest.
the trees high in. I'D the branches usnaRg
suffer most. There was, however, consider
able loss on both sides at this point
And now occurred one Of those 1nders
common in warfare. The enemy pressing
hard upon our forces, Gen. McClernand
sent Major Rrarman for reipforcements
He rode rapidly to the rear and came upon Col
Cruf1,5 hripRi3e. who moved forward cro.scd
tic road. and came IN in rear OF the a0th and
s1st. These regiments were living dow; and
firing over the crest Of a ridge, As Cof
Cruft came In rear Of them they rose to their
feet, not knowing whether the force in their
rear was friend or foe. The 25ta Ky. supposiup
them to he rebels. poured in 4 yol;ey. which
did terrible execution. Il is not Dossible to
ASCERTAIN how many fell under the fire. but it
was sufficient to throw the entire division into
disorder, ,nnd at once there was almost a panic.
Some men took to their heels, threw down
their guns, sud equipments, and fed to the
rear crying "An is lost! We arc all cut to
pieces ~ and similar expressions. Some Of
them even fed to Fort Henry, twelve miles
distant, and immediately tho woods were
filed with straeslcrs.
Tie enemy improved the opportunity, and
t advanced upon DrcsseT's and Schyartz's bat
| teries, capturing five guns, taking possession
! Of General McClernand's headquarters, and
! driving our forces nearly mile and q half
| They had opened the sap; and not only that.
| but had in the ioust driven, us. captured five
; guns. and had reason to feel that the day WIS
theirs,
:: But now tAey committed 4 fatal mistake,
| Instead of aaher;np ta the orfrin,1 n1,n tn
| escape. tl,ev resolved to follow nm their all.
| vantaeeby pursuit. cut us m and cautnre the
entire army.
| The fslthaa lasted nearly four hours. and
| McClernaud.s division WIS exhausted: has,;les
they were out of ammunition,
| At Ills in: cture General Wal1acc's division
was t1,rovn in front. They took nm
. nos7t;on nm II ridre- with cantoin
r,v1er,s ratterv in the centar At +bc mad
co,u,n,n5;,,< :; doz,,, +ho r;1o. + tho hottr,r,
~ .sct.,ar,,,;,g d;r;s;o,, ,,,s ,,,.,--
;nr IN it's scattered ranks rca;lv IN snn-
~ 1y,,7,ooa II 1-,r nv ;,z+ ,,oo, nao,3,.
one o,e,ock nh, re,,e,s formed ,,,or I'M
r;;,oa ,:n;c. cena,>,1 Hcf,1cr3,o,d 1.a occrr;o1
+h.o7,a1, +1 ,7;a,,t 1,,o,z n7;r,,a, 80,
snccos. and dasccndea Tho r;5oc WITH tho ~.
,,ac+.+;o, of ,ont;,r tho yo,tooe AZ +box
ca,,c II, rsnoo T,r,or oncnea 7tnon t,,om viii
shell. srape and canister. Thcv onai,ea
hcf,ro - advanccd at slapr noco
camc n a halt. and rs tho infantry opened
hpoon IN fall hack Wallace imnroved tho
momcnt moved on drive then, heforo him
reeaincd the Inst ground. recovered McCler.
nan7,s tent an;1 occnn,ed the old srrouu1.
THIS is only hrief note-convcyinr q gen.
cr,1 idc, T cannot sneak of the urowess of
tie troops. Of instances of individual bravery.
although it is generally admitted that Taylor's S
| hattary SAVED the dav.
The rebels might l,ayc escaped When Wal
| 1ace was driving them hack. bnt by zome f,
| tuitv neglected the opr3ortunity and were
| again boxed up. This made two distinct
| fights. but the day WIS not thus to close.
| There was to be SECOND display Of coo1ncss,
| darinp and determined bravery of 11n1on
troops. fighting under the Stars aud Stripes,
resulting in a eignal victory.
The Iowa annd Tndiaua bows composing
| Lauman's brigade Of Smiths division, wcre
| ready to IN their mart in crushine- ont rehc1-
lion, and General Grant decided thu,
they should have an opportunity to
show their yalor. Directly west Of For,
Donelsou, and bcyoni the breastw orks thers
was a second rage ol hno fnnn1ng pa1allea e
as could ind &c by q somewhat minute survey
is about forty rods. On this outer ridge Ner&
| ditch behind and tue excavated earth throw
I'M in frort The ,,astar,, s1nn, of the rfacri
| ~
was 1uHe steep. lnc DISTANCE TO Tue oas'
! VAS thirty rni|s M indped openinr u1,n,1