The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-12-21

| laurels were won at fearful cost. The
action on the right commenced about ten
o'clock and ragged furiously all day long.
The enemy occupied the woods and hills
in the rear of the city, and in point Of
advantage, the odds were decidedly in
their favor The courage of the Union
troops was unbounded, however. and
every inch Of the ground was hotly con-
tested. 1t soon became evident that
The first ridge Of hills on which the enc
my were peostd behind earthworks, could
not be carried except at the point of the
bayonei, and accordingly, General Sum.
ner ordered French's division 60 charge
upon the batteries. General Towards
division acted as support and the troops
sprang forward TO obey the order with
much enthusiasm. BY this time the at
mosphere was clear, except from the
smoke OF artillery, and great view could
be had OF the rebels position and the
country adjoining. II was great sight
to see that devoted column,
Seeking tho bubble reputation cen at the lannon's
mouth"
steadily they marched across the
plain, and never faltered until thew
were within dozen yards of the ridge.
When suddenly they were met by gall
ing lire from the rebel infantry. who
were posted behind stone wall. For a
Few moments the head of the column
exhibited some confusion; but. quickly
forming into line, they retired back to a
ravine, within musket shot Of the enemy.
Here the Union troops were re- enforced
by fresh body of infantry; who adj
yanced to the assistance of their comrades
IN spleneid style, Notwithstanding large
gaps were made in their ranks at every
step. The re-enforcements having ar
rived, and the line of assault being again
formed, the order " Double quick" with
liked bayonets was given, and once
more the column advanced to dislodge
rebel artillery.
From the moment the storming party
left the ravine up TO the time they reached
the foot OF the hills they were exposed to
the hottest fire of the enemy. The con-
centrated fire of Lees artillery and in
fantry rained upon their devoted heads
in a manner truly terrific. No troops
however disciplined and brave. could
Withstand the shock, and after suffering
terribly our soldiers were thrown into
disorder and brought to a sudden halt.
AT THIS Juncture the centre of the column
gave way and fled in dismay, but they
were aiterward rallied and brought back.
a second and third attempt was made 10
dislodge the rebel artillerists but in
vain, and at each attempt the ranks of
the storming party grew thinner and
thlnnera Sumner now brought all his
available artillery into use, hoping TO
shell the rebels out, and from that time I'M
I'll dark the roar Of cannon was incesant.
The rebels, who had been driven back a
short distance during the day, returned
to their original position when night
came, SO that we were unable to remove
our dead. Several attempts were made
to remove the bodies during the night.
but the rebels opened upon US with their
infantry and compelled us to desist. All
our wounded were removed, however, and
such OF the dead as were not within
musket range of the rebels were buried
THE CENTER.
The Third and Fifth Army Corps, I'M
der General Hooker, formed the center
and co operated with Summers column
during the battle, General Burnside was
anxious that movement should be made
as early as possible, and, accordingly, at
the break of day the troops commenced
to move toward the enemy's breastworks.
The men were full of hope, and conf
dent of success, and they filed out of the
city in splendid order Skirmishing
commenced shortly after daylight, and in
a short time afterward the rebel artillery
commenced playing upon us through the
fog. The firing was so inaccurate, how
ever, that our troops paid little attention
to.it, and still kept pressing on, regard
less of the deadly missiles which were
flying through the air. BY and by our
artillery responded, and for hours a most
terrific cannonade was kept up on both
sides. The enemy's position was one of
exceeding strength, and appeared 10 be
invulnerable TO our artillery, notwilh-
standing our guns were excellently hand
led. Hbout noon, the infantry, who had
been waiting for the fog to clear of, adj
yanced for the purpose Of stOrming the
enemy's position on the hill Confident
of victory, the troops marched steadily
up TO within musket shot OF the batteries;
but murderous fire from the rebel rifle
men, added 10 the fury Of the cannonade,
compelled our men TO fall back with
heavy loss. The attempt to carry the
rebel batteries was repeated again in the
afternoon, and the attacking party,
strongly reinforced, started on the 'don-
ble-quick;" but the enemy, who was al
so heavily reinforced, proved too much
forJ US, All along the line the bat
lie ragged with unusual iierceness, aud
when night came It was hard 10 say " no
were the yictors. Ofthe killed and wound
ed, there were probably as many on the
side of the rebels as on ours. No correct
estimate can be formed Of the loss in
Hooker's corps, but Il was pretty heavy.
The firing 81 muskeiry ceased about
half-past five o'clock, but the rebels con-
tinued to cannonade She city until long
after dark, They evidently intended TO