The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-07-08

On the high grounds, swept the whole face OF the
country with their numerous artillery, which
would have annihilated our entire force II not
screened in the dips of the land and in gulileS to
our left Advancing cautiously but rapidly IN
the skirt of woods and in the dips to the left, WI
cox and PRYOR deployed their men into line OF bat
tle-Featherstone being in the rear-and sudden
ly appearing the plateau facing the timber
covered hill, rushed down into the wide gully
crossed it, clambered over all the feled timber
breastworks beyond it, and began the ascent OF
the hill, under terrific fire of shsrpshootcrs and
an incessant discharge of grape and canister, from
pieces posted on the brow Of the hi and from
batteries in their camps to the right on the high
fiat lands Such position storlned
before. In descending into the deep creek, the
infantry and artillery fire that assailed the three
brigades was the most terrific on record Twenty
six pieces were laundering at them: and perfect
hailstorm Of lead fell thick and fast around them.
! One Of Wilcox's regiments wavered,-down the
! General rushed, furiously, sword in hand, and
threatened to behead the first man that hesitated
/ Pryor steadily advanced, but slowly and by the
time that the three brigades had stormed the posi-
ton, passed up the hill through timber, and over
! fclled trees, Featherstone far in advance
Quickly the Federals withdrew their pieces, and
took up fresh position to assai the three brigades
advancing in perfect line Of battle from the woods
and upon the plateau. Officers had no hoses
all were shot-Brigadicrs marched on foot, sword
in hand regiments commanded by Captains
and companies by Sergeants, yet onward they
rushed, with yells and colors flying, and back ward
still backward fell the Federals, their men tumb-
ling every moment in scores But what sight
met the eyes of these three gallant brlgades In
front stood Federal camps, stretching to the north
east for miles! Drawn up in the line Of battle
more than three full divisions, commanded
by Mccall Porter, Sedgewick, &c.-banners
darkened the air-artillery vomlted forth nces-
SAINT voleys of grape, canister and shell-heavy
masses were moving on our left through the woods
to flank US! Yet onward came Wilcox to the right
Pryor to the left, and Featherstone in the centre
grand, matcheSs line of battle-almost con-
sumed by exploits of the day-yet onward they
advanced to the heart OF the Federal position, and
when the enemy had fairly succeeded in almost
king US on the left, great commoton is heard
in the woods-volleys upon yolleys are heard in
rapid succession, which are recognized and cheer
ed by our men-"It is Jackson" they shout, con
their right and rear!' Yes, two or three brsades
Of Jackson army have fanked the enemy, and are
getting in the rear! Now, the fighting bitter
and terrific. Worked up to madness, Wilcox,
Featherstone and Pryor dash forward at a run,
and drive the enemy with irresistible fury-to our
left emerge Hoods Texan brigade, Writings
comes after, and Pender follows The line is now
complete, and ''forward" rings from one end Of
900 strong, begin to retreat! Wheeling their az
tillery from the front, the Federas turn part oft
to break our left, and their retreat. The
very earth shakes at the roar. Not one piece Of
has yet opened! all has been done with bullet
and bayonet, and onward press troops through
camps upon camps, capturing guns, stores, arms,
clothing, &c Yet, like bloodhounds on the trail,
the briSades sweep everything before them, pre-
senting unbroken, solid front, and closing in
volleys upon their confused masses, and unerring-
ly slaughtering them by hundreds and Thousands,
",ytoneacaW' at rork
But "where is Jackson?' ask all. He has travel
ed fast, and is heading the retreatiug foe, and
night closes in, all is anxiety for intelligence from
him. 'Tis now about 7. P. NJ, and just as the
rout of the enemy is complete just the last
voeys are sounding in the enemy's rear, the dis
tant and rapid discharges of cannon tell that Jack
son has fallen upou the retreating column, broken
it, and captured 5000 prisoners Far i'll the night
his Unsuitable troops hang upon the enemy, and
for miles upon miles are dead, wounded, prisoners
wagons, cannon, &c, scattered in inextricabe con-
fusion upon the road! Thus, for four hours, did
our inferior force, unaided by single piece of ar
tillery, withstand over thirty thousand of the
enemy, assisted By twenty-six pieces of artillery
In total, we captured many prisoners and thir-
ty peiccs Of artillery up to ) p. NJ, Friday, and
in the battle of Gainess Mills, captured 90 field
peices, l5, ,OQ0 stand of arms, stand Of colors,
three Generals, (Reynolds, Sanders and Rankin, }
and over 1000 prisoners, including dozens of of
fcers of every grade-from Colonel to Lieut.. of
the line.
The Federal force.
Every arm of the service was we'll represented
in the Federal Gne-cavalry were there in force,
and when our men emerged from tie woods, at
tempted to charge, but the three brigades the
right, and Jacksons three brigades on the left,
closed up ranks and poured such deadly voeys
upon the horsemen, that they left the ground and
andfantry to decide the day McCalrs, Porter's
and Sedgewicke's crack divisions melted away be-
fore our advance, however; and had the fight lasted
one half hour longer, not one whole regiment
would have survived Gen. Mcclellan, prisoners
say, repeatedly was present, and directed move
ments but when the three brigades to our LETT
emerged from the woods, such confusion and
havoc ensued, that he gave orders to retreat slip
ped off his horse, and escaped as best he could.
Some say that he severely wounded, and
many officers (prsoners) believe the report that he
was on the field as undoubtedly true; for every.
thing had been previously prepared for grand
fight at Gaincs's Mills, Mcclellan even promising
to capture our whole force, should We attempt to
storm his camps Results were different and SO
the Fates reward the greatest Liar of his age.
Much has been said of repeated "charges made
and arenulses" Wild inlaginations have con-