The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-09-11
The Battle on Monday Night.

Defeat of the Rebels IN a Thunder
Storm. Death Of Generals Kearney
and Stevens.
fcorrespondence of the N. Y. Tribune.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8. 1862
The battle on Monday night between
Gems. Reno and Kearney upon our
side, aud the rebels, was fought three
miles to the rear of Centerville, ana
about mile to the right of the Center
vile road. 1t was a complete victory
Oh our side, but dearly bought by the
loss of Gen. Kearney and Gen. Stevens.
Gen. Rrno's division had been posted
there during the day, to observe the
rebel movements. The approach OF
the enemy was ascertained IN the after
noon, and Gen. Kearney was or
iered to advance TO teno's support.
The enemy were attempting TO turn our
right flank, and in order tn move more
rapidly, had left their artillery behind
them, and were advancing over the
fields. .i.- a..s.
Their movement threatened both
| flank and r.ar, aud if successful, would
probably have placed them at Fairfax
Court House, and once more broken
Pnpe's communication with Washing.
ton. They attacked Gen. Reno about
O'clock in the afternoon. The en-
gagement between him and the rebels
continued for about an hour before the
Al rival of our reinfOrcements.
Gen. Reno had posted his troops
with his right resting against wood
Gen. Stevens division was upon the
left, Reno himself holding the right
After the line of battle was formed
the enemy attempted to turn Gen. Re
NOS left flank. Gen. Stevens, to anlic
ipaie aud prevent this movement, adj
vanced at the head of his division to the
attack. k
The enemy were posted in corn
field, and on the further side of it part
| ly projected by the woods. In the
center of the field was a ravine, into
which Gen. Stevens advanced. As he
was leading his column some distance
before the enemy's line, he was shot
dead by bullet through the head
His troops, disheartend by his loss,
and undoubtedly outnumbered, fell
back in considerable disorder.
Gen. Reno found himself at this
period without any support on his left,
with his troops mostly out of ammuni-
ton, while the enemy were approach
ing III heavy force upon the lett flank,
and threatning to turn his position aud
cut his forces in two.
1t was at this juncture tibet Gen.
Kearney arrived nIon the field. The
night was very dark, the rain falling
very heavily, with a terrible storm oil
thunder and Ii htning. 1t was nearly
impossible to discover ut once the ex.
act position of the enemy. On the ex-
posed left flank of Gen. Reno they
were supposed TO be advancing, and
Gen Krarney detached one brigade
tn the left, rode forward TO make re-
cOnnois NEE in person.
He was told that there were no
troops of ours in front of the position
which Gen. Stevens had held, and that
through the Gap the rebels were rap
idly advancing; but, disregarding or
disbelieving the information, went for
ward, accompanied only by an orderly,
and coming suddenly upon the rebel
advance, was shot dead.
His death REMAND unknown until
the following morning, but as he did
not return To his command. and was
supposed to he a prisoner, Gen. Birney
took command of the division and ar
ranged the order of battle.
Gen. Reno had a. this time with
drawn entirely from the fight, and Gen.
Birney found the enemy in front of him
considerably to the left of Reno's orig
inal position, and even threatning to
turn his left flank Gen. R.binsor,'s
brigade, with Graham's battery, lst
United States, was ordered To the left.
Gen. Birpey's brigade constituted the
reserve, also strengthened by Ran
dolph's battery which opened on the
enemy with vigor and effect.
Gen. Birney formed his line of battle
in front and on the center with his own
brigade, consisting of seven regiments
A musketry fire was opened on both
sides and continued with great sharp
ness for perhaps half an honr. The
rnemy's line being unsustained by ar
tillrry, was greatly shaken by the can
nonade from our side, and by the heavi-
ness of the infantry fire.
Birney, az soon as he perceived indi
cations of the enemy's unsteadiness in
front, ordered the 40th-known as the
Mozart regiment and LIST New York,
both commanded by Col. Egan, and
the Scott Lille Guard-3sth New York
l-C"l. Ward, to advance in bayonet
charge.
These three regiments moved across
the cornfield, down the ravine, and up
the opposite slope, with the greatest
gallantry and determination, and al
must instantly broke the rebel line and
put them to flight. They were pursued
10y the fire of our artillery, but owing
to the darkness and storm, pursuit by
infantry for any distance was impossible.
Our troops occupied the position of
the enemy from which he had been
driven, Gen. Birney's reserve brigade
holding the ground all night.
| Our dead were buried and wounded
carried off the ground. Some prisoners
were taken from the enemy. Among
them were the adjutant general of Gen.
Jones and his chief of ordnance.
Il