Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-07-07

over the asid, Hooked back and around
upon the most sublime scene that the fierce
grandeur and terrible reality Of war ever
portrayed. The thousand continuous vol
leys Of musketry seemed mingled into the
grand roar Of great cataract while the
louder and deeper discharges Of artillery
bounded forth over those hills and down
that valley, with a volume that seemed to
shake the earth beneath as. The canopy
Of smoke was so thick that the sun was
gloomily red in the heavens, while the
clouds Of dust in the rear, caused by the
commotion OF advancing and retreating
squadrons Of cavalry, was sitting and
binding 10 distressing degree That
memorable scene win never be effaced
from my recollection and it seemed most
like battle field, Of any representation,
either real or upon canvas, that | ever
saw. ra .E.GrH
OUR LEFT LINE BROKEN.
For one hour and half our left line
withstood this terrible shock Of battle
brigade after brigade of the enemy was
hurled against our devoted, daring, dying
heroes. Butterfeld, with hat in hand,
rallied, cheered and led his men forward
again and again. Though deoimated at
every discharge, losing heavily in officers,
and with an overwhelming force in front,
they still continued to fight. The gallant
Col. McLane and Major Nagle, Of the SD
Pennsylvania, fell death-strioken, while
line officers were stricken down by scores,
and men by the hundred. But they
wavered not. Without a single reinforce
ment from first to last, this gallant brigade
fought on, cleared its front from the enemy
time after time, until suddenly they found
themselves outfanked on the right, the
enemy breaking through Martindale's left,
and came surging down the hill to cut off
and capture the struggling brigade. They
thus saw 1t was in vain to longer continue.
The right was giving away rapidly, and
black crowds of retreating men could be
seen making their way toward the river.
Once more my gallant men" cried the
brave Butterfeld, and rallying again, the
men cut their way through the opposing
host, which now assailed them in front, in
flank and in rear, and fell back upon the
river, crossing upon the remains Of Emer-
sons bridge, which had been blown up by
our own forces during the fight, and gath
eTing together their scattered columns in
the camp of Smiths Division, found that
they numbered only fifteen hundred, with
Lieutenant Colonel James c. Rice, who
had again signalized himself for heroic
bravery, as the senior officer in command !
A part of the brigade had been Withdrawn
by the right faak, and with them Gen.
Butterfeld, who, Notwithstanding the thou
sand dangers that he risked, escaped un-
harmed, one bullet having passed through
the rim of his hat, and another bent his
sword double.
THE FORCES ENGAGED on FRIDAY.
1t is claimed that the battle was badly
managed. This is no time for criticism !;
besides, the data is not absolutely reliable
1t is certain we were beaten in strategy
and grand tactics. Indeed, am compelled
to admit that the enemy there, as elsewhere,
displayed skill in the science of battles
which does not always distinguish our
leaders. They seldom risk battle with in
sufficient forces, and they handle masses in
a mastery manner. Thus, on Friday,
while our men stood and fought in line for
hours without respite, the rebel leaders in
cessantly rushed in fresh troops, relieving
those who were jaded or beaten, so that it
was painfully apparent, before our brave
fellows gave way, that they must finally
break before that eYer-surging tide. One
other error was pereeptible. Our officers
seemed to fight not so much to win victory
as to display the courage and endurance Of
our soldiers Instead of standing fast in
secure cover Of forests, that the enemy
might be compelled to fight on our terms,
they advanced into the open fields and were
cut down by scores by the more crafty foe.
But we were beaten. 1t was a melancholy
satisfaction to know that we occupied the
field Of battle after the conflict was ended.
We had about 10000 men engaged, perhaps
Ok OO0 Tho arerra-- l.. I r. a-.as,a-s -
,,i6goJ OT1oOJ' besides JaeksO1's admirable army
5f1S r. 50, o3oo ~ $1,000 disciplined troops.
The correspondent says that the change
of base of operations by Mcclellan was
compulsory, being forced upon him by the
defeat of the right wing. Whether this is
a just conclusion or not, we do not pretend
to decide Friday night was passed in
mysterious movements, and sombre con-
situations. There was but one narrow
road through White Oak Swamp for the
passage of the transportation wagons, ar
tillery and infantry. Along this way the
columns fled necessarily. The troops were
generally ignorant of the situation, andit
was well that they were.
SUNDAY.
At daylight, Gen. Mcclellan was on the
road Thousands of cattle, Of wagons, and
our immense train of artillery, interming-
led with infantry, and great troops Of cav
airy, choked up the narrow road already.
Generals Summers, Heintzelman's and
Franklin's corps, under Summers com
mand, had been left to guard the rear,
with orders to fall back at daylight, and
hold the enemy in check till night. A
noble army for sacrifice, and some, oh how
many, must fall to save the rest. The very
slightest movement from the front was
critical. At no point along the line, were
we more than three fourths of a mile from
the enemy, and in front Of Sedgwick's line,
they were not over 600 yards distant The
slightest vibration at that point was apt to
thrill the rebal lines from center to wings.
But fortunately, by skillful secrecy, column
after column was marched to the rear
Franklin first, and Sedgwick next, then
Richardson, and Hooker, and lastly the
knightly Kearney.
A mile had been swiftly traversed, when
these splendid columns quickly turned at
bay. The moment was most thrilling,
most trying to stoutest nerves. The enc
my, keen scented and wstchful, had dis
covered the retrograde and quick as thought
were swarming through our late impassa-
Bile entanglements, and came yelling at our
heels like insatiate saYages. Full soon
our camps had hived countless numbers
and red battle began to stamp his foot
Gallant Burns was first to feel the shock.