The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-09-16


Schenck, and the attack was once more
along the whole line. should have sta.
ted that some time before the cessation
Milroy, after two hours of musketry in
tornadoes, was driven back, much cuI
to pieces, and replaced by Steinwehr,
who was assisted by Schenck at his left
1t was now o'clock. Sigel's corps
had only been engaged, and we had on
the whole gained ground-at the righi
nearly mile Ii was reasonable 10 sup
pose that, with the assistance of Reno
and Heintzelman, and most of the day
before us, we should utterly demolish the
enemy. 1t has since appeared that
he received large ones. Longstreet's
whole command, whose passage through
Thoroughfare Gap, Ricketts, had disputed
the day before, had now joined Jackson
and Ewell, whom we had been fighting
hitherto. Longstreet would naturally
join Jackson at his right; it was upon
our left and occasionally our centre that
we were most severely pressed the re-
mainder OF the day.
Up to this time Sigel had command OF
the field. He had made the disposition
before the fight, and conducted it sue
cessfully six hours. Pope arrived from
Centerville about noon, and assumed
command, but wisely and generously de-
ferred TO Sigel the rest of the day, as be-
ing better acquainted with the position.
At 9 clock the fight was raging along
the whole line ,errificaly, muskery like
Gaines Mill, and artillery like Malvern
Hills. There was not ten minutes ces
sation at any one time for the next three
hours. We advanced not step; We
retreated not a step. The enginery of
war, men, guns. and villainous saltpe-
tire, seemed equal, each side TO the other
At 5 O'Clock Schenck was ordered back
from the left, and the artillery of that
wing fell back to the next eminence.
During the three hours, scarcely a
regiment of the three corps was on the
field that had not been into the thckest
Promptly and skillfully, as a command
placed by another, but only for brief
rest, then TO be up and at it, These
splendid passage of lines as such
movements are technically called, seems
to me feature that ought not to pass
uncommended' Gaines Mills would
have been victory had such movements
been made promptly and orderly.
The withdrawal of the left was not a
giving up of the battle. The troops were
rushed TO the right, and redoub.ed on
set made there. Again the enemy was
forced back. His left was swept upon
his centre-we took him endways" in
flank. While the infantry fought those,
our artillery, eleven batteries in line,
played sIunningly, each gun pointed well
to the left, that no unlucky she'll might
harm friend.
We could move the rebels no farther
than their center. Musketry in rolls, in
crashes, sounded out of the spot of woods
where our advance was stayed how te
naciously the enemy held their ground |
cannot hope to adequately express. How
ScLurz iought-ask any eye witness Of
the conduct of his men, led by the orator
fighter.
Ii was o'clock. The enemy not on
y held his centre, but advanced upon
our lett. Ii was critical.
Opportunely, McDowell's corps ap-
peared coming 10 our relief. Two brig
AIDES llatch's and Doubeday's) ilnme-
diately met the enemy's advance upon
our lett, and although suffering terribly
stayed Linn until dark
The days work was ended We held
more ground than in the morning, but
not SO much rs at night
SATURDAY.
The day Wore away until noon, with a
continuance OF desultory shellins ("bum-
IN, y as the butternut prisoners call ii,
Gen. Pope ON horse the whole time, Civ
ing orders. rapid and imperative, each
carried instantly by gslloping aid re-
celving reports from all parts OF the field
and never OBTAINING the messenger long
lor his reply, from each emnence sweep
ing the position with his glass--he was
evidently ascertaining the position Of the
enemy, and determined 10 fight ii he
stood or il lie ran.
The division commanders were seeing
that their men were provided with ra-
tons, made difficult matter by the
forced cross marchings OF the week,
which prevented Quarter Aasters from
knowing where 10 conduct trains. For
once red tape Was summarlly cut. and
ratlons issued to every uusuppled regi
ment from whatever stores were at hand
heard Gen. Slgel exclaim that crackers
were worth as much as muskels.
Portsr's corps had arrived on the
ground at nine o'clock from Manassas.
making five corps ready for action. The
number Of men comprised in these |
should estimate at 60, 900. Hooksr's di.
vision had but 2, AL men in the ranks,
So terribly has il shrunk by battle aud
disease.
In the order Of battle for the day
Heintzelman commanded the right, Por-
Ter the centre. Mcdowell the left. and
Sigel whose corps had borne the brunt
the day before, the reserve. AT 10 o.
clock Heintzelman advanced skirmishers
into the wood on the right Of the battle.
field Of the day before. aud found ii only