The New York herald., 1862-03-19

APPEARANCE OF THE MEN.
In the action Of the day the Iowa regiments had suf
fered fearfny Nearly two hundred each had been the
loss Of the Iowa Fourth NINTH and the latter had not
single field officer ft for duty. Its Colonel was COM
mandng brigade, its Lieutenant Colonel (Herron) was
made prisoner while gallanty cheering his men, ate
losing horse and receiving o severe wound, and its
Major and Adjutant disabled and in the hospital
Still none Of the men were despondent, but were all
ready for the work OF the From the camp Of
German regiment the notes Of plainve air. possi
Ineligible to my ear 1t reminded that long ago in
the Crimea, the night before the stormDg Of the
Aaakon the entire British army in the trenches before
Sebastopol Joined singing famous Scottish ballad
Of tho sweetest ever Known
They sang Of love and not OF fame;
Forgot was Britain's glory,
Each heart recalled different name,
But all sang Annie Laurie.
MORNING OF THE FINAL DAY.
Daybreak and sunrise at last Not the bright clear
that rose Austertz and cheered Napoleon to his
great victory, but dull, copper tinted gobe slowly
pushing itself up through the murky cloud Of cannon
smoke that the long hours Of winter night had
dspeled The heavens became overcast, II tho
elements themselves forsshadowed impending calam
". Every open to catch the sound Of the first
dull boom OF cannon and every eye watching for the
contest OF the 9Th.
THE LINES OF BATTLE.
The fortune Of the day depending upon General
sge and that officer calmly but carefully prepared his
command for the conflict. Our whole force concen.
trated to the north Of camp and what till then had
been became front. Colonel Carrs division
was placed in the centre, occupying the road short
distance on either sde The enemy during the night
had planted Of his batteries emnence about
two hundred feet high, slopng away to the norh but
precipous the side in 'front.' Batteries and largo
bodies Of infantry posted ct his right base Of this
hill and the edge of timber to its left Infantry
and cavalry with few guns posted on his extreme
left beyond the road, and to oppose these
Colonel Davis was sent TO our extreme
left It was apparent that II could dislodge the
rebels from this hill the victory would DO with ban.
nsrs. With the skill Of expert in military science,
General sgs arranged his columns for the coming action
His foremost line was drawn up in battle array, with
infantry cavalry and artillery, all In their proper posi-
tions At suitable distance in the roar his reserves
placed ready to be brought forward at needed
moment level open field Of great extent gave splen.
did opportunity for imposing display. Il had last
corneld and the white and withcred stalks
still the ground forming fine background for the
dark blue uniforms worn by our men. Throughout the
morning diminishing and light encounters had trans.
plIeu VIII pVItiOu VI tuo oueiuy Oppooou W OuI
centre and right, but the left not gun was fred
until the whole Of General Sgcs command in read
ness
OPENING OF THE GRAND BATTLE.
At little past eight O'Clock the decisive portion Of the
engagement commenced. Along tho entire line the can
stood 10 their guns and at the word Of command
Gre opened II interesting to watch the
Of the artlsrists in getting the range Each
ner took tree for his and tried upon the eIcc
Of his FIRST SHE'LL Too high )" the remark Of the
captain Of gun stationed where standing.
Of the elevasnS screw, reload and another shot
followed sstHl too high" and . second turn Of the
screw was made previous to another alet. "Just
right this time" was the commentary on the
direction Of the third projoctile. For the future
trees were the objects aimed at brisk cannonade
was kept up upwards Of two hours with occasional
intervals Of from five fifteen minutes duration. The
sharp booming Of the SIX twelve and eighteen Founders
followed each other in rapid Succession, and with such
regularity that could easily imagine that the huge
dark object in that yellow field enormous organ
on which Mozart or Verdi was executing Of his
latest compositions.
TAKING A BATTERY.
The shot from the rebel batteries well directed
but failed OF execution equal to those from Sevcra
guns disabled and taken the and their places
speedily supplied by others. During the canncnad'
OOlOnel taTS uuu SOlouel DaNls uNhiohe uu
vanced slowly upon the enemy until they hsle
the edge Of the timber where the rebels had position
the morning. A battery Of three guns in front of
wooded space the left OF the road at length became
troublesome, and orders were issued for bayons
charge TO capture II. Just at this moment a gust
wind blew away the smoke from the front of the rebels
revealing their exact position. The Twelfth Missouri
was designated for the honor Of taking the battery
nobly acquitted themselves, advancing at the pas d
eha ge under terrible musketry fire, possessing them
of the guns and holding them until their supports
came up. Twelve Of their killed in thi
charge and large number wounded. Another gun wa
shortly after taken in the timber by and still
other spiked piece the right Of Davis divi
son
REBEL STRENGTH WEAKENED.
After sustaining heavy cannonadc for two hours
half the rebels showed signs Of desire to leave tn,
ground Their batteries withdrawn from the hill
and their infantry fast melting away, largo number
OF them, since learn fleeing in terror at the fearfu
fire under which they had stood. The Eighteenth
Twenty Indiana regiments ordered charge
and did in gallant style but the rebels quick
for the movement to succeed In taking the guns The
infantry fed In disorder and their artilerymen hat
barely opportunity to attach their horses to the guns
move them from the field 1t TO pursue witt
cavalry the country being densely wooded admit
ward to the support Of the Indiana regiments up
down Its entire length the air resounded with cheer upor
cheer from exultant troops. The enemy had beei
driven from his stronghold and the victory upon
banners.
THE REBELS FLIGHT AND GENERAL sIGEL's PUR
SUIT.
General sigol went in pursuit Of the fleeing rebels fol
lowing their main body for twelve miles and capturing
considerable quantity Of wagons, supplies, &c, severa
ammunition wagons, q load Of powder and nearly
thousand stand OF They fed too rapidly permi
Of capture Of the entire force, and the morning
the 9th General Sgel's division returned to camp.
portion Of the rebels ed to the eastward Telling timbe
across the road to prevent pursuit. Another portion
turned to the westward fleeing by tho way Of Benton
vile towards the sunny South. When last heard iron
| they in camp eight miles to tho south
ward. flag Of truce camc in to-day to arrange TO
buryng the dead and making exchange Of prisoners