The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-10-15

Ybsv overlooked Fort Robinett. Ugly
obstacles. When they drove their wedge
toward Corinth, one 6ange on the Boil
var Road, the other on branch of the
Chevalli, heyiutended bothwings should
extend together.
Typographical and artificial obstruc-
tons interrupted Ven Dorm. He was
Obliged to sweep over rugged ravine,
through dense thickets, up Hill over a
heavy abatis with his left; it was neces-
sary foT his center to dip down hill un-
der the fire of Fort Williams, Captain
Gau's siege guns in the rear of the town,
and under heavy musketry; while his
richt had to girdle a ridge and move
over almost insurmountable abatls under
n point blank fire of both Fort Williams
and Fort Robinett, supported by a
snlendid division of veteran troops The
latter fort had ten-pounder PARROTS,
three Of them--the former thirty-poun-
der PARROTS, which devour men. 1t was
q task to be accomplished, or terrible
failure to be recorded. Price had com
paratively plain sailing, and lost no time.
Van Dorm was seven or eight minutes
behind time. During that precious sew
en- minutes Price was overwhelmed and
Van Dorn was left with feat Of desper-
alton to be accomplished. He tried it
audaciouslv. His men obeyed magni6-
Gently. Evidently he relied chiefly on
Texas and Mississippi, for the troops of
those States were in front. The wings
swere sorely distressed in the entangle-
Ainent on either side. Two girdles of
=sristling steele glistened on the waist of
ne ridge. Two brigades, one support
ing the front at close distance, moved
up solidly toward the face of the fort
The PARROTS Of both redoubts were
pouring shot and shell, and grape and
canister into them from the moment of
command" forward-chargeP shouted
clearly from the brave Col Rogers,
& (acting Brigadier) of Texas. They tell
me il was a noble exhibition of desperate
4 daring. At every discharge great gaps
we're cut through their ranks, No fall
tering, but the ranks were closed, and
they moved steadily to the front, bending
their head to the storm. Dozens were
slaughtered while thrusting themselves
through the rugged timber, but no man
wavered. Onward, onward, steady and
unyielding as fate, their Generals in
front At last they reached the ditch.
1t is an awful moment They pause to
take breath for q surge-a fatal pause.
Texas Rogers, with the rebel flag in his
left, revolver in his right, advanced fir
y ing, leaped the ditch, scaled the parapet,
waved his banner aloft and tumbled
headlong into the ditch. A patriots bull
let had killed him in the moment of tri-
9 umph. Five Texans who followed pitch
81 ed forward through the embrasures like
p logs, and fellinto the fort.
Bl But we anticipate. Remember that
Anfhe two redoubts are on the same ridge,
to Fort Williams commanding Fort Robi-
p nett, which is in front Had the rebels
~ taken the latter the guns of the former
= would have destroyed them. They were
:, separated by space not exceeding $50
NV Yards The Ohio brigade, commanded
by Col. Fuller, was formed behind the
= ridge, on the right Of the redonbts The
"a left of the cd Ohio resting on Fort
W Robinett, its right joining the left of the
be 9th Ohio; the 39th was behind the 9th,
in. supporting it; the right of the AID joined
ar, the left of the 63d, forming right anglo
yO'with it, and extending to Fort Williams,
the crest of the ride. The 18th
y Missouri, Col Mower, GO. S. Al was
d formed behind the SD Ohio, its left in
pc the angle, and the regiment faced OBJ
m liquely to the right of the 63d The POI
o" sitions of these gallant regiments should
be described, because their actions are
memorable
Col. Fuller, perfectly collected, requir.
sed his brigade to lie fiat on their faces
wIIwhen not engaged. While the enemy
ar was steadily approaching, he warned
foe them to wait till they could see the
tn, whites of their eyes, and fire cooly. Ii
s'l was at the moment the Texan Rogers
Il was Haunting his flag on our parapet
ct that the 63d was ordered to fire
: Captain McFadden gave the first com
:. mand of his life to fire in the field of bat
- tie, and he fell MORALLY wounded There
~ we're only $50 of the 63d in the conflict
iii but their volley was fearful 1t is sale
o., City rebels fell at once. Six volleys were
n fred and the rebels we're gone The 63C
J again laid down. Directly the support
ii ing brigade of the rebels advanced The
n. 63d was ordered to make half lef
- wheel to sweep the front of the redoubt
:, and the maneuver was handsomely exc
y cuted. The 18th Missouri moved on tn,
left into line into the vacant space; tn,
~, 43d moved by the right Of companies t.
n. the left, and the 9th halffaced to th,
cys left Suddenly the enemy appeared, anc
"a furious storm of lead and grape wa
B launched at them. The 63d fred FIVE Oh
no six volleys and the rebels rushed upor
la them. A terrific hand to hand comba
roA ensued The rage of the combatant
as was furious and the uproar hideous /
~ lasted hardly minute but the carnag,
" was dreadful Bayonets were used, mus
: kets dubbed, and men were felled witt
brawny fists Our noble fellows wer,
n victors, but at sickening cost Of 25l
of the splendid 63d, Us lay there on tn,
4 field, wounded, dead, or dying. Thelas
final struggle terminated with howl O
rage and dismay The foe flung ava
their arms and fed like frightene'
stays to the abatis and forests The bal
\ teries were still vomiting destruction
With the enemy plunging ia upon him
brave Robinett, with his faithful gun
ners, Of the lst u S. Artillery, doubl
: shotted his guns and belched death upol
the infuriate enemy, and now he sent til
iron hail after the fugitives with relenl
less fury The abatis was full of them
Al.