The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-04

-"e '"NNNaH nut Tue leDels pressed up Z
on him 80 hardly that he was forced 10
order the pieces TO retire in order TO save
them Not long after, the whole left
wing gave way, and the right followed.
but in good order. Their officers tried
TO rally broken Organizations. and The
men responded with alscrity 70 every
order they comprehendod but most az
them, being wholly undriiled. were nm
able TO execute manmuvres which were
ordered, and some Of the officers. as green
as the men, were unable 20 give intelG-
gent commands The first engagement
lasted about two hours and half and
the loss was heavy on both sides.
After rotreatng between two and three
miles, General Manson again formed in
line Of battle on a range IL hills. extend
ing through cornfields his right covered
by woods. Ills artillery was posted on
the right and left wings and when Che
enemy came mp in pursuit, another
sharp artillery fight ensued. The reb-
els finally sent q heavy force through
The woods on the right, evidently inten
ding to turn the right Hank but they
were met BY the 18th kentucky, Col.
Warner, and another severe ENGAGEMENT
ensued, our men lighting bravely, though
in some confusion on account OF THERE x-
IRENE rawness. Al enc time, they sue
ceeded in driving back the assailants, but
the latter being heavily reinforced, pres
| sed upon them vigorously, and n0twiih-
standing The vigor with which they were
resisted by Warmers regiment and two
pieces playing upon them with canister
AT short range they. succeeded in turning
our flank and throwing our men into
confusion. Col Warner was dangerous
/ ly--it is said MORALLY wounded in this
fight, and his regiment lost heavily. The
men seemed panic-stricl1en, and the enc
my, pressing hard upon them, punished
them severely across the open fields.
10 was now about two o'clock, and
! what WIS left Of The somewhere
about 5000 men-Were pushing rapidly
toward Richmond. About a mile from
town they were met by Major General
Nelson, who had just arrived from Lex
| ington, and the men were rallied again
and formed in line Of battle. But tho
ammunition of the rilled six FOUNDERS
was exhausted, and only small supply
was left for a pound howitzer.
This, however, was got into position, and
was worked with good effect until IFS
ammunition was exhausted, when it was
sent TO the rear until moro could be
broughtup.
Unfortunately, the road had been
blocked up by panioSy transfers, but it
was long time before the gun was
brought back. 1t was then TOO late for
effective service. Our men still fought
bravely, but the enemy, far out-number-
ing our little army, finally enveloped
them on every side, and making a vigor-
Gus attack at all points, routed and put
them TO flight. A detachment of the en-
envy, however, which had got round to
the rear to intercept the retreat, suffered
severely for their temerity, our troops
cutting their way through with desperate
determination During the last desperate
struggle, General Nelson was severely
wounded by musket ball through the
feshy part of his thigh, and he escaped
in the confusion which ensued when his
line finally broke. II is said that he is
indebted to Major Green Clay, son OF
Gen. Cassius NJ. Clay, for his safety, Mai.
Clay being familiar with the country,
having pilOted him safely through the
4 INuNl Illus " q HAE AllAOinitAA lAlAN AlGlls
Nelson rode sixteen miles after he was
wounded, but the ereruciating pain fin
ally Obliged him TO seek refuge in fence
corner in corn-field, from whence he
was conveyed to Lexington by Major
Clay. He arrived in this city last night,
and is a guest Of Larz Anderson, ESQ.
His wound will not coniine him 90 his
room longer than a fortnight, probably.
No person could form an estimate last
night of our losses; but they were un-
doubtedly very severe. There were all
sorts ofrUmors aboutgre numbers killed
wounded and prisoners, but nobody SEEM
ed to k7lolO anything about IT, It is quito
probable, however, that one third or more
Of the troops engaged were killed,
wounded and captured. A large number
escaped 20 this side Of the Kuntucky
river, but IL is impossible 10 say how
many.
The enemy followed our lugitiyes into
Richmond, and took possession Of that
place after five o'clock. Some Of their
cavalry also pursued fugiiiycs Of Met
oalfe's cavalry, and killed number Of
them.
The troops generally behaved remark
ably well for utterly raw leyies, and, ac-
cording to all accounts, the Sixty -ninth
Indiana covered itself all over with glory
While the battle was approaching
Richmond the Union people became very
FESTIVE, and during the afternoon many
Of them fed in dismay--sOme 10 the
country northward, some 70 Lexington,
others to Louisville, and quite a number
| TO this city.
The reports that the enemy were 25,'
: 600 strong are not justified by officers
: ! who were az Lexington. Several who
, arrived in this city last night state thai
2 / Gen. Kirby Smiths column does not ex-
coed ten or twelve thousand, including
p a considerable body Of cavalry. A de-
: tachment Of the latter were reported a
4 Midway yesterday evening, but the pa
a NOR was not confirmed.
! Meantime, Major General Wright had
{ arrived at Lexington and was preparing
= 20 meet the enemy. Troops had beer
. ! thrown forward 70 the Kentucky river
: and reinforcements were ordered from
I Ohio and Indiana. 10 Is probable The
g enemy will not now attempt 20 force thei
3 way across the river, but they are likely
4 TO do so as soon as they are reinforced.
7, We add that it was stated that thl
: transportation belonging 20 Gen. Man
1 sons division was saved; but we are no
. satisfied on that point When or how
s Gen. Manson was captured Is not ex
= planned, and il is not stated what be
d came Of Gen. Cruf. We presume he q
e also a prisoner.
HUH