The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-04-17

GTenllsS was hrlnS bca'ocIy NO ""'i
Most o. bis troops stood their ground. to
be formed into line, but strangely enough
he line WAS formed 10 an open space. ca
silg to the enemy the cover of the dense
scrub oak 10 front, from which they cod
pour in their volieys in comparative safe
ly.
Tho mon held their position with All
obstinacy that adds new laurels TO the
character Of the American soldiers, but
il WAS too late. Down on either flank
came the overwhelming enemy, Fierce
" pushed 10 front, with wall Of bayon
ets closing in ON either side, like the con
tracing chamber Of the Inquisition. wha
could .hoy do but what they did? Speed
ily their resistance became less obstinate
more and more rapidly they fell back es'
and less frequent became their returning
voleys.
Brig. Gen. Preniiss and three regi
menls with him, the esd Missouri, Of hi
own division. and the l2lh and l4th low
OF those that had come to his assistance
delayed their retreat too long. Almos
before they were aware of their danger
tho h,nking forces rushed in from ethe
side behind them, and they stoo I,ptrhap
two thousand strong,in the midst OF thrlc
their number. They threw down lhe'
arms; ard the rebels sgnalized their ir'
attack by marching thrcs Lincolnite reg
meuts, with division General, rs prison
ets. to their rear.
Overwhelmed by this fresh disaster
without n General 10 orGsnize them. wi!
still hotter and hotter fire TO their from
and nanks, the remainder Of the division
whole regiments AT time, gave way /
disorder. For n short time few main
tanned conlu ,ed defense, rerealiug. .halt
ing, firing, Gourlng death by romAiuin
in isolated squads or companies, to resi'
a little longer the ovcrpowering advanc
but before ton o'clock tho whole divisio
was in rapid retre't. Some regiment
came off ths field in degree Of ofder;tf
most in sad confusion. Y
snERMAN's DlvIoN--M oLERNAND's
We left Sherman's brigades maintaiI
ing a confused fight, BuckIand's abo'
gone. Hildebrand's s aud McDowel's hol,
ing their ground more tensciously. III
firing aroused Netherlands division. \
drst they supposed it to be mere skiru
ish, perhaps even only the irregular. di'
charge Of muskets by guards aud picket
10 clean out their guns, practice which
To tho disgrace of our discipline DO 1t sal
was well nigh universal, snd rendered
almost impossible at any time 10 kno
whether firing meant anything at oil, b
yond ordinary disorder Of our own sol
iers But the continued rattle Of mu
kerry soon undeceived them, and almo
AS soon the advance Of the rebels pourir
after Buokand, was upon them.
MoChrnand's division was composed
, follows: lst brigade, Col, Hare comman,
ing 9th and 18th Illinois, llIh aud IS
y. Iowa; 3 brigade, Col. @. Q. Marsh COZ
1nandlng, 4lth, Goth. 4Sth and 45lh III
. nos, Coils, Ransom. Marsh, Havus a,
. smith tho latter ia the lead Mine Re
iment,), Sd brigade Col l,aitt oom man
ing. l7th. 29th, and 49th Illinois, Lie,
4 Coils, Wood, Farrell and Pease, and A,
Illinois. Col, Marsh, Besides this &
b show Of exporienced troops they h
Sohw'rtz's. Dresser's, MoAllster's a
a Warehouses; batteries.
10 AS already stated, McClcrnand "
6rst called into action shortly after
il surprise of sherman left brigade, Blu,
lands )--about seven in the morning
at having to move up his left brigade
o. support Sherman's retreating left and p
Il serve the line. Then, as Shsrmaus o.
en- er brigades fell back. Netherlands m
s; ed up and engaged the enemy in suppc
sn Gradually the resistance In Hildebrsn
oil brigade and what was still Iefl to It's ri,
!. Of Buckland's, became more confused !
10. irreSolute. The line wavered, the n
n. fell back in squads and companies, II
failed 10 rally promptly at the call Of Il