New-York daily tribune., 1862-11-12


whose headquarters were about two and half miles
10 the rear close to Springfield. After receiving in'
structions to make reconnaissance from his position
TO Chaplin River, he returned to his troops. Ho
found that Gen. Rousseau had advanced his righs
some 500 yards drawn the fire Of the eDemys artil'
lery from three different points, aud was replying
with two batteries. No Rebel infantry being Ia
sight, he ordered Rousseaus guns to cease hrings
and then proceeded to make Reconnaissance 70 the
river, but failed to discover any enemy, with the
exception of some cavalry on bis left, which few
artillery shots sent out OF sight.
This was about 2p. m. Con. McCook had no ap.
prehensions of an attack. Nor had be received, a.
expected, any orders TO make one upon the enemy.
Gen. Buell. bad evidently abandoned the idea Of en-
gaging the Rebels in general action that day. hm
intention to do so, officially announced the previou1
evening, was probably given up in consequence os
the delay 10 the movements OF CrittendeDs corps
which did not appear on Gilberts right until late
the afternoon. But, in postponing ms genera
attack upon the enemy" Gen. Buell. did not dream
that his adversary was about yenturng an attack
upon him; had issued no orders, as he was IN duty
bound to do providing for the possibility Of ouch
contingency.
The enemy, after forming in line well concealed
from our generals In the early part Of the forenoon
spent some hours in feeling the position Of Gilberts
troops, evidenced by the repeated already
referred to, more or Less strong, upon Sheridan'f
Ines Bragg says in bis report OF the opening OF the
battle: Finding the enemy indisposed TO advances
upon us and knowisg that be was receiving heavy
endorsements, deemed it best to assail him vgo-
rously and 20 directed"
The "heavy re-enforcements' were unquestionabIy
the divisions Of Gen. McCook, whose appearance
and formation in line directly in front Of Polk'a
right could not have escaped bis notice. II is NOT
probable that the Rebel generals had knowledge Of
the fact that the greater portion Of McCooks com.
mand consisted ofnew leyies. II seems more plans
bic to assume that they acted simply upon the
strategic axiom to bring ones own whole strength
10 bear upon part Of the enemy, but hit upon The
numerically well as ntrinsically weakest portion
Of our line from its accidental position nearest 70
them.
The attacking column came up with the skirniisis
ere Of Gen. McCook at about 9 p. m, and in a few
minutes his whole line sustained fierce onset. J
will not attempt to- give full narrative OF the ter
ribe struggle that tAen ensued and continued nnIil
nightfall. The publication Of the full and graphic
reports of Gens McCoo and Rousseau, in TIE TRlB,
uNE, some days since. renders this unnecessary. }
will only mark out such salient published and un'
published points as will insure true understanding
Of the merits Of the management OF Gen. Buelis
army in that sanguinary conflict.
Tie formation Of McCook's two divisions Of FIVE
briQades at the time OF the first attack was this:
Starkweather brigade, on the extreme left Ter
rclPs In front and TO the right of it, in the left GEN.
teri Harris's, in the righ, center; Wetster's, in
Lyte's on the right of Harris, the extreme right
of the line. Six batteries were distributed at suit.
able points along the line The fighting strength Of
McCook's command was about II, 500, OF which
Rousseau had seven and Jackson the remainder.
The left and left center under Starkweatber and
Terrell first experienced most desperate assault by
a LARGELY SUPERIOR force OF the enemy, uanifestly
bent upon carrying this all-mpotant position, and
turning our line. Gen. Jackson was with Terrells
brigade. He fell at the first fire OF the Rebels, snds
under the tremendous volleys now poured upon Ter
relrs new regiments, they gave way in few mo-
ments in the utmost confusion and were driven pelI
nell from the field, leaving seven guns Of battery
Of eight in the hands Of the enemy. Thus, In the
frst haf-hour of the battle, one fifth Of the
Union force engaged was virtually placed h0rs do
combat. and portion of its line broken.
This misfortune, together with the vigor Of tba
a,tnc and great numerical superiority OF the enemy
the latter, SO uniformly magnifed BY our Generals,
was. for the first time, really almost three 10 one
seemed 10 lode speedy termination OF the etruggis
disastrous to our troops. But happily the stubborn
Qallantry Of Rousseaus old troops was equal 70 tha
eme rgency, and eventually secured the day.
The heavy Rebel line that had fallen upon and
broken and scattered Tefrells brigade, immediately
followed up its advantage by succession OF most
de,ermindd advances upon the extreme left undef
Stark weather. lie mad only three regiments Of in.
fsntry lu, two splendid batteries, and with this
small though dauness force he repused attack after
attack OF the enemy, and maintained bis position
during two hours, until after bis ammunition was
exhausted, when he fell back under orders for sev.
eral hundred yards wthou, losing any guns. AfteE
reflIing their cartrdge-boxes bis men resumed the
contest with the enemy that had followed them and
continued il without yielding another inch until
dark.
with eonal bravery and sto-dfastness. II likewise
stemmed lie onsets OF an outnlnbering enemy for
several hours. After eXhausiDg their supplies Of
cartridges the men secured aud fired with those OF
their dead and wounded comrades and even after
tLesa were extended they did fall back but held
-: fr- Z
which they cOuld not return single shot, untif
orlers reached them to retire TO position that
brought them again on line with Starkwealher,
whose withdrawal had preceded theirs In TINS second
position this brigade continued lighting until The end
Of the combat.
Ivtle's Brigade. on The extreme right, wac as-
ealed not as early 20 the left, bat with equal NO
ence by superor numbers. Ii resisted successfully
several attacks and maintained It's ground uh'ii
abou. o'clock "when new column OF the ene-
nv" TO quote from the report Of Gen. Rousseau,
noyed around to its right, concealed by the undu.
lations of the ground turned It's right Hank aud
fell rron its right and rear and drove 1t and forced
il 10 retire , -. -,
Gen. McCook arrived on the ground at this mos
men,, and forthwith orceTed Neos'er ofieade
10 move from the rear Of the center TO the support
Of Lytle. In carrying out this order, Gel. Web
stsr was rnor.aly wounded soon as he go. nnder
fire. HIS new regiments got into disorder aiter Dis
ialI. and proved OF hardly any avail to the rign'.
Though terribly cut up. and somewhat IN coniu-
s;on Tic brigade was reforIfed after extricating
i,self from the enemy, some hundred yards from its
frat rosition. II was hardly once more in line,
when the same body that compelled it TO retire again
moved upon lis right. 1t was permitted to approach
70 c,cse range and then opened upon by the battery
and infantry Of the brigade But, although fearful
havoc was made upon its ranks by grape, canister
md musketry, il kept steadily moving on. At this
critical moment the longexpected reenforcemente,
consist ng of Goodings brigade of Mitcheil's divi-
SION with battery, arrived near Lyte's brigade,
and Immediately took its place. The fresh troops.
moved TO meet the advancing enemy without delay.
and after q short bu, severe struggle, involving a