The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-09-30

"" P"AyiHS 'Soiouoiy III iioh', eho"5
the ammunition Of many of the batteries
was entirely exhausted, and they had
been compelled to retire.
Doubleday held the right infexibly.
Summers headquarters were now in the
narrow field where the right, before
Hooker, had begun the fight All that
bad been gained in front had been lost !!
The enemy's battalion, which if fadvanced
and served vigorously, might have made
sad work with the closely massed troops,
were, fortunately either partially disa-
bled, or short of ammunition. Sumner
was confident that he could hold his
own but another advance was out of the
question. The enemy on the other hand,
seemed to be too much exhausted to at
tack.
AT this crisis Franklin came up with
fresh troops and commanding one divis-
ion of the corps, formed on the left. Slo
cum was sent forward along the slopes
lying under the first ranges Of the divis-
ion of rebel hills, while Smith was order
ed TO retake the corn fields and woods
which all day had been so hotly contest
ed. 1t was done in the handsomest style.
His Maine and Vermont regiments, and
the rest went forward on the run, and,
cheering as they went, swept like an av-
alanche through the corn field, fell upon
the woods, cleared them in ten minutes,
and held them. They were not again
retaken.
The field and it's ghastly harvest which
the reaper had gathered in those fatal
hours remained finally with US. Four
times it had been lost and won. The
dead are strewn so thickly that as you
ride over it you cannot guide your hor-
ses steps too carefully. Pale and bloody
faces are everywhere upturned. They
are sad and terrible, but there is nothing
which makes ones heart beat so quickly
as the imploring look of sorely wounded
men who beckon wearily for help which
you cannot stay to give.
Gen. Smiths attack was so sudden
that his success was accomplished with
no great loss. He had gained a point,
however, which compelled him to expect
every moment an attack, and to hold
which, if the enemy again brought up
reserves, would take his best energies
and best troops. But the long strife, the
heavy losses, incessant fighting over the
same repeatedly lost and won inch by
inch, and more than all, perhaps, the
fear of Burnside on the left and Porter in
front, held the enemy in check. For two
or three hours there was lul even in
the cannonade on the right which hth
erto had been incessant.
The fight in the ravine was in full pro-
gress, the batteries which Porter sup
ported were firing with new visor,
Franklin was blazing away on the right
and hill top, ridge and woods, along the
whole line was crested and yelled with
white clouds of smoke. All day had
been clear and bright since the early
cloudy morning. and now this whole
magnificent, unequaled scene shone with
the splendor of an afternoon September
sun. -Four miles of battle, its glory all
visible, its horrors all hidden, the fate Of
the Republic hanging on the hour
could any one be insensible of its grand
eur.
There are two hills on the left of the
road, the farthest and lowest The reb.
els have batteries on both. Burnside is
ordered to carry the one nearest to him,
which is the farthest from the road His
guns opening first from the new position
in tront, more entirely controlled and si-
leneed the enemy's artillery. The in-
iantry came on at once moving rapidly
and steadily up long. dark lanes, and
broad, dark recesses, being plainly visi-
BILE wilhouta & Ass as they moved over
the green hillside.
The next moment the road in which
the rebel battery was planted was cano-
pied with clouds of dust swiftly descend.
ing into the valley. Underneath was a
tumult of wagons, guns. horses, and men
flying at full speed down the road.
Blue flashes of smoke burst now and then
among them. horse or a man or half
dozen went down, and then the whirl-
wind swept on.
The hill was carried, but could ii be
held The Rebel columns. before seen
moving TO tho left, increased their pace
The guns, on the hill above, send an
angly tempest of she'll down among
Burnside's guns and men He had
formed his columns apparently in the
near angles OF two fields bordering the
road, high ground about them every
where except IN rear.
In another moment Rebel battle line
appears on the brow Of the ridge above
them, moves swiftly down in the most
perfect order and though met by incess
ant discharges of maskeiry, of which we
plainly see the flashes does not fire a
gun. White spaces show where men are
falling, but they close up instantly, and
still the line advances. The brgades OF
Burnside are in heavy column they will
not give way before a bayonet charge in
line. The Robels think twice before
they dash into these hostile masses.
There is halt, the rebel left gives
way and soatters oyer the field, the rest
stand fast and fire. More infantry
comes up. Burnside is outnumbered.
ilanked. compelled TO yield tho hill he
took SO bravely. His position 10 nc
longer one OF attack he defends himself
with unfaltering firmness. but he sends
10 Nc Clellan for help