Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-12-25

oucuy hc4c euuVtcu muOu EtSatct
proportional loss than he did AZ the
right, where be kept under cover Of
his earth-wotks. Here, on the left,
they had only one line of The fence in
advance Of the woods--the railroad cut
-oat OF which they were soon driven
by the impetsous courage Of Frsnklin's
men, TO take shelter in their favorite
baunts, The woods and ravines beyond.
The resul. Of the days struggle,
however. only proved that there vas
no hope Of forming a junction with the
right and center, and a renewal Of the
engagement would only weaken our
forces with accomplishing anything de-
cisive.
Under these circumstances q confer
enee Of several Generals took place late
in the evening, and Gen. Burnside, at
midnight. proceeded to confer with
those general officers who could not
leave the field.
On Sunday nothing occurred to indi-
cate that either party would abandon
its position. The rebel batteries kept
up an irreligious shelling Of our poutoon
bridges whenever the notion seized
them, and the picket lines continued to
FIRE occasionally upon each other when
the relief went and came.
Some Of the wounded remained on
the field so near the enemy's lines that
they could not be recovered. When
they raised their heads to attempt to
get away. it's said. they were fred on
by the rebels. At night food and water
were conveyed to them by comrades.
asd on Sunday night most OF them
were removed from the field
On Monday orders were issued to all
the regimental and brigade surgeons to
prepare for a considerable increase ol
the wounded.
During the forenoon, shsAing from
both sides was Kept up, and unusual
activity among the troops in the town
and at the various batteries, indicated
a renewal of the engagement during
the afternoon.
The wounded were al sent across the
river 10 tent hospitals. and every ore
expected to see the town shrlled by the
rebel batteries when the 6ght began.
With this feeling one of your reporters,
who had bees busy in town procuring
the names of killed and wounded. made
himself scarce about two O'Clock P. NJ,
and crossed the bower pontOon bridge,
where there was less danger from the
occasional shells. he took his position
upon a commanding hill on the oppo-
site side Of the river, constantly ex-
pecting to see the opening OF another
terrific 6ght. There was an ominops
silence of all the batteries--a lnll be-
fore the storm, as was supposed
Night came, however, and yet there
was no fight. The wind had been
blowing very fresh and warm all day
from the south and west.
At an early hour orders were sent to
the various commanders to silently and
rapidly withdraw their troops across
the river. as soon as it became dark
enough to do so without being observed
and drawing the enemy's FIRE.
At about 64 P. NJ. the movement be-
gan on tLe right, and almost simulta-
neously Oh the left also. Dirt was
strewn across the pnninnn bridges so
as to deaden the sound OF the artillery
as it passed over. This precaulion,
however, was hardly necessary. as a
gale of wind, blowing all night from
the direction Of the enemy toward our
own lines, rendered it impossible for
any sound To- reach him from the river.
Silently, but with steady tread, our
infantry continued to press over the
bridges, the artillery coming in be-
tween each command.
A person standing at the river side
would not have observed that anything
unusual was going on. stationed
myself at the upper crossing, between
the hours Of four and six A.. NJ, and |
the long. dark lines Of infant
ry and artillery as they Sled across the I
bridge. and along the base Of the hill
below the Lacey House.
As each command came over, they
to the same quarters which
hey had occupied before breaking
lamp.
By six O'Clock, Sykes division Of
Regulars passed up the hill. and took
heir old encampment. A heavy show
r Of rain had fallen about O'Clock,
lrenching the roads and Wetting the
)oor soldiers to the skin.
Two brigades of infantry, OF Gen.
3utter6eld's corps, (the Fifth, were
eft on picket in front Of tn e rebel lines.
Thus the crossing of the right grand
iivisioD. and OF the left, had been sim
llianeously and most successfully &C
under cover ofnight. and
he Army Of the Potomac once more
escued from the certain destruction
md annihilation which the rebel Gen
rails had prepared and predicted for
t.
Under the circumstances. the achieve
nent. in all it's parts. is one OF the most
droit and successful military esca.
lades which has occurred during this
yenrful war. The only parallel to it
; that Of the escape Of the rebel army
nder Jackson. after the battle of An I
Ietsm, and fairly balances that account.