The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-04-22


The enemy, in large force, had driven
in the pickets of Gen. Sherman's Divis-
ion, and fallen with vengeance on the
18th Regiment Ohio V. NJ, Col. Sulli-
van, the 10th, Col. Cockerell, and the
72d, Col. Buckland. The troops here
had never before been in action, and be-
ing so Unexpectedly attacked, ere they
could finally understand their position,
or get into file, they made as able a re-
sislance as possible, but were, in COM
mon with the forces Of Gen. Prentiss,
forced to seek support on the troops i'm
mediately in their rear. The 9Th OHIO
Cavalry, formerly belonging to this di-
vision, had been removed to Gen. Hurl-
butts command the day before yesterday,
and their places supplied and camp oc-
cupied by the Second Illinois Cavalry
These latter knew nothing of the ap-
proach of the enemy until they were in
their midst, firing into their tents and
applying the torch as they came.
The slaughter, on this first onslaught
of the enemy, was very severe, scores
falling at every discharge of the enemy
guns, and all making their best effort to
escape, or repel the foe. 1t, however,
soon became evident that the secession
force was overpowering, and nothing was
left for the advance but retreat. This
was done in considerable disorder, both
officers and men losing every particle of
their baggage, it, of course, falling into
the enemy's hands.
THE PROSPECT AT THAT HOUR.
At half past eight O'Clock the fight
had become quite general, the second
line of divisions having received the ad
vance in good order, and made every
preparation for suitable reception of the
foe.
AS your correspondent reached the
third line of our forces, he met several
thousands of stragglers, many of them
from the hospitals, but many more who
had never before witnessed the service
of the battle-f field, and who, so far, had
not found it much to their liking. Their
faces were turned to the river, and nei-
ther persuasion nor threats could induce
them TO change their course. | must
say, that at this juncture, your CORES
pondent was strongly reminded of the
great panic at Bull Run, for appearances
indicated that the same scenes we're like
ly TO be re-enacted upon this occasion.
Men and women came promiscuously,
singly and by dozens, filling the road
limping, staggering along, in some cases
supported on the arms of comrades or
others, but all having the same destina-
ton, and bent on the accomplishment of
the same purpose, viz TO escape from
the sound of the whizzing balls, which
were flying in every direction.
The timely arrival of Gen. Grant, who
had fastened up from Savannah, led 10
the adoption of such measures as put
termination TO this uncalled- for flight
from the battle field. A strong guard
was posted across the thoroughfares,
with orders to halt every soldier whose
face was turned riverward. Some few
of the wounded were allowed TO proceed,
but the Reconstructed guard who had
chosen that as a means of escape, were
made TO keep within the lines under PEN
atty OF stronger admonition at the
hands of the established line of SEN
tries.
All the wagons and other vehicles Of
transportation on their way to the camps
were turned back, and the road given as
far as practicable TO the use of the am
bulvnces, which were now getting to be
very plenty. They were not, however,
sufficient for the demands Of the occas-
ion, there being in many cases but two
to each regiment, and heavy army wag-
ons were used to make up the deficiency.
These ratified along over the Jagged road,
through the mud, over roots aud stones,
filled to the top with the wounded and
such Of the sick as were unable to leave
the regimental hospitals without assis-
tance.
TEN O'CLOCK.
AT ten o'clock the entire line on both
sides was engaged in one of the most
terrible battles ever known in this coun-
try. The roar of the cannon and mus
kerry was without jntermission from the
main center to a point extending half
way down the left wing. The great
struggle was more upon the gathered
forces which had fallen back on Sher-
mans position into the next line Of
troops A desperate charge had just
been made upon the l4Ih Ohio battery,
and il net being sufficiently sustained by
force of infantry, it was at last reln-
quished, and ii fell into the hands of the
enemy. Another severe fight occurred
for the possession of the 9th Ohio bat
terry, which resulted in three Of its guns
being taken by the secession troops.
BY eleven o'clock quite number of
the commanders of regiments had fallen,
and in some cases not a single field Off
ecr remained ; yet the fighting continu-
/ ed with an earnestness which plainly
showed that the contest on both sides
was for death or victory. The almost
deafening sound of ofartillery, and the rat
tie OF musketry, Were all that could be
heard rs the men stood and silently de-
ivered their fire. evidently bent on the
work of destruction with tervor which
knew no bounds. Foot by foot the
ground was contested, single narrow