The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-12-23
NO. 844.


noon. when the fog cleared of and the bal.
loonists were enabled to get a glance at the
cnemy's works, tho fight was an artillery one,
and productive Of no very important results
on either side. As soon as the sunshine
showed itself. however the infantry weFs
brought into play and the work commenced
in real earnest Generals Mead and Gibbon's
di, isious now encountered tho right Of Gen.
A. p. Hills command; and LoDgstreets vet
erans.
The fight ragged furiously during the entire
day, and our troops suffered terribly from the
euemy's artillery. Thc enemy were posted
behind hills in great strength, and at one tune
it seemed impossible to dislodge them.-
About noon Gen. Gibbon WAS relieved By Gen.
Doubledsys command. Gen. Mead, who
WAS 6ghiirg against superior numbers, was al.
so reinforced 10y Gen. Stonemans command,
which bad the effect Of cbscking the rebels
aud driving them back short distance. II
was in the midst Of this struggle that General
Gibbon was wounded and partially disabled.
He kept the field, however, during there main.
der Of the day, and won many lsurels BY HE
brilliant conduct. Gen. McClellan's endorse.
mept Of Gibbons dash and ability has been
fully borne ont by tho result Of the days
Sighting. During the afternoon Gan. New
toni division was moved up 10 the left OF the
center, VIXEN the firing, which had ceased on
that part Of the field, broke out again with
redoubled fury. Our thoops were here ex-
posed 10 plunging fire from the enemy's ar
tillcry, which was posted Oh the neighboring
hills, and for short time the Union soldiers
were opposed to a de.tr, ctive fire. Our ar.
tillery returned the fire with deadly effect.
aud immortalized themselves by their accu,a-
cy OF aim and uawavering courage.
THE RIGHT.
Consisting CT the 7th and 9th corps, under
Gen. Sumner, earned fnperishabIe honors.
and, as the list of the killed and wounded
will testify, the laures were won at fearful
cost. The action on the right commenced
about 10 o'clock and ragged furiously all day
long. The enemy occupied he woods and
bills in the rear CT the city, and in point Of
the odds were decidedly in their
favor; the courage Of the Union troops was
unboundcd, however, and every inch of ground
that the first ridge Of hills on which the ene-
my were posted behind ear.hworks. could not
be carried except at the point Of the bayonet.
and accordingly Gen. Sumner ordered Frenchs
division to charge upon the batteries. Gen.
Howard's division acted as a support, and the
troops sprang forward to obey the order with
much enthusiasm. BY this time the atmos-
phere was clear, except from the smoke Of ar
tllery, and good view could he had Of The
rebel position and all the country adjoining.
1t was grand sight to see that devoted COL
umn.
Seeking the bubble reputation cen at the cannons
mouth"
Steadily they marched acros the plain.
and never falteIed until they were within
dozen yards Of the ridge, when suddenly they
were met BY calling fire from the rebel in
faury, who were posted benin stone wall.
F., few moments the head of the column
exhibited some confusion; but quickly form
ing into line, tboy retired back to ravine
within musket shot Of the enemy. Here the
Union troops were reinforced by fresh body
Of infantry, who advanced TO the assistance Of
their comrades 10 splendid style, notwithstsnd.
ing large gaps were made in their ranks at
every step. The reiuforcements having ar
rived, and the limo of assault being formed, the
order, double quick with fixed bayouetsp'
was given, and once more the column advan.
ced to dislodge the rebel artillery.
From the moment the storlning party left
the ravine up TO the time they reached tue
foot of the hiTls, they were exposed 10 the
hottest fire Of the enemy. The concentrated
fire Of Lees artillery ard infantry rained up
on their devoted heads in manner truly ter
rife. No troops, however, discipline and
brave, could withstand the shock, and after
suffering terribly our soldiers were thrown into
disorder aud brought 10 sudden halt. At
this juncture tho centre Of the column gave
way and fed in dismay, but they were after
wards rallied and brought back. A second
and third attempt was made to dislodge the
Tebel artillersts, but in vain, and at each At.
tempt the ranks Of the storming party grew
thinner and thinner. Sumner now brought
al bis available artillery into play, hoping to
she'll the rebels out, and from that time until
dark the roar Of cannon was incessant. The
rebels, who had been driven back short dis
lance during the day, returned to their origi;,.
nal position wh IN night came, SO that wa.
were unable to remove our dead. Several
,ttemps were made to remove tho bodies du-
ing the night. but the enemy opened upon
Is with their infantry and compelled us to
lisist. All our wounded were removed, how.
,ver, and such Of the dead as were not within
pusket range Of the rebels were buried.
Among the wounded is Gen. Meaghsr, Of
he Irish brigade, and Col. Mugeut Of the
,9th New York volunteers. The latter is
aid to be badly recover. a large number Of
he officers Of Meagsr's brigade were wound.
ID, and many Of them killed.
the CENTRE.
The Sd and 5th army corps. under Cen
locker, formed the centre, and co-ops rated
With Summers column during the battle
leu. Burn ide was anxious that movements
hould be made as early as possible. and sc'
ordingly at the rsak Of day the troops com.
nenced 10 move towards the enemy's earth.
works. The men were full Of hope and con-
ident Of success, and they filed out Of the
.ty IN splendid order. Skirmishing commen.
ed shorisly after daylight, and ia short t;mc
afterwards the rebel artillery commenced play
ug upon us through the fog. The firing wsa
70 inaccurate, however, that our troops paid
,ut little attention TO it, aud Keep pressing 90,
Ydlass oS tha daeth ,pise;lea which waya