The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1862-02-20
BATrLErIELp, NEAR Fl poNELsoS,
February 10th.

A most bloody battle was tonight yes.
tcrday on the right wing Of cur foce in
the rear Of the enemys works, in which
the first and second brigad,s Of General
McGlcrnanl's division were engaged.
The fight commenced at daylight. The
attacking force of the enemy WIS abou,
1900.
The position Of the ground was such
that not more than one Of our regiments
could operate at the same time, while the
rebels could bring nearly their whole
force to bear against us. The field rcgi-
men. to receive the rebels was the 1>;h,
which fought with a desperate courage
until their ammunition was exhausted,
when they were forced to retire with n
heavy loss Of officers and mca, and were
replaced by the Sth regiment, which
fought with like bravery, but they, too,
were driven back, after disbnrsirg their
ammunition. and, in turn, were replaced
by the 18th, which, also, fell back in
turn.
Meanwhile the other regiments were
lending such feeble aid as their positions
would admit.
Lew. Wallace was then ordered to re-
inforce McCcrnand. and he sent two
brigadcs Of his division from the centre
The 3lst regiment fought like veterans
who had ncver had any other occupation
and struggled, defending Stewards bat
terry under the most calling fire Of the
enemy, until every horse at the battery
, was killed, with the officers who hac
charge Of the guns, as well as Lieut Col
White, Capt Rigby, acting Major, ant
seven Captains, and number OF Lieut. {
Of the 3lst, had been killed, with Col
Logan wounded, and being nearly sur
c rounded 10y the rebels, Capt Edwin S
Cock, who was left in command, drew
the regiment, or what remained OF it. Of
the field, but not until the last round wa
t. expended, and they had commenced t,
= drive the rebels before them
= The "a brigade now came up and tool
d the place Of TIE retired one, and Tough
desperately, losing a great number il
T. killed and wounded, when with the as
J. >i.iance Of portion of Wallace's divis
y on, the 49:h and 1Hth Ohio, with Tav
r lor' ; battery, which was stationed on
hi! near by. as the rebels came UP the
opened fire upon them aud drove u Dor
ton of thoHl back into their cutrepch
D. ment>, while large portion still occupic,
y. the ground they had gained. The obiec
It of the rebels was evidon,!y to cut thei
$ way through our troops.
Ia the afternoon, Gen Grant saw tina
something should be done to restore th
c spirits of our di>hcariencd troops an,
b ordered Gen. Smith to make an assault
on the west wing OF the cncmy's works
Gen. Smith, as quick as horse flesl
. could bear him, rode along his lines an,
ordered his men to prepare for charge
" which caused shouts Of JOY to ring a!ou,
$ MS lines.
!. Without moments unnecessary DELAY
/, Col Truman lSrigadc--tEc I'd and III
Iowa and llth and 10Th lndiana-char
ecd u to the cueny's redou5t, dri,ins
the rebels before them at the point O
$ the bayouct, like frightened sheep, m,
. gaining possession of their outer works
Gen Smith behaved like one inspired
{ for nothing less than continual victories
He could be seen riding along the line,
with his hat swinging on the ton of hi,
sword, an.id the thickes, of the fight,
encouraging his men spd cheering then