Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-04-17

elson, mode three days previous to that
time, looked somewhat cheerfully to such
a result, although they felt confident that
it would take some more hard fighting
to get there.
ALL THE LINE ENGAGED.
Within half an hour from the first f.
ring in the morning, the contest had again
spread in either direction, and both the
main, centre and left wing were actively
engaged. The rebels were, however, not
so anxious to fight their way to the river S
bank as on the previous day, having had
slight experience of what they might
again expect if brought under the power
ful guns of the Tyler aud Lexington, whose
black hulls steamed slowly along the
stream, keeping e-ssareCpl watchfulnes;
for any signs they might be able to gath
er as to the exact location of the enemy
in the dense forest which stretched away
to their right.
They were not, however, lacking in ac.
tivity and they were met by the rein
(orcements, together with the still unwea-
ried soldiers of yesterday, with an energy
that they certainly could not have expec-
ted. At 9 o'clock the sound of the al til
lery and musketry fully equaled that of
the day previous, though it could not be
said to continue so long in one quarter.
1t now became evident that the rebels
were avoiding the extreme lett Of the left
wing, and endeavoriRg to find some weak
point in the lines by which to turn ur
force, and thus create an irrecoverable
confusion 1t is wonderful with what
perseverance, and determination they ad-
hered to this purpose. They LEFT one point
but to return to it Immediately, and then
as suddenly would, by some masterly
stroke of generalship, direct a most vigo-
rous assault upon some division where
they fancied they would not be expected.
The fire of our lines was steady as clock
work, and it soon became evident that
the enemy considered the task they had
undertaken hopeless one,
Still further reinforcements began to
arriveat II o'clock, the steamers Crescent
City, Hiawotha, Louisville, John Farmer
and others having left Savannah, load ed
to the guards with troops belonging to
Gen. Buel's command These immedi-
ately mounted the hill and took position
upon the right of the main centre, under
Gen. Wallace.
So far the fight of the morning had
been waged some one and half miles
within our former lines, and but a short
distance from the rivers bank, in a due
westerly direction.
Gems. Grant, Buell., Nelson, Sherman
and Crittenden { learn, though l have
not seen them were present everywhere,
directing the movements for new stroke
on our part against the foe. Gen. Wal
lace's division, on the right, had been
strongly reinforced, and suddenly both
wings of the army were turned upon the
enemy with the intention of driving the
immense body into an extensive ravine.
AT the same time a powerful battery had
been stationed near an open field known
as the battalion drill ground for Sher
mans division, and this, loaded with can
lister, poured volley after volley upon the
somewhat disgusted rebels. The cannon
aiding of the day previous had been most
ly confined to shell and heavy ball. but
it was evident the change now made was
having telling effect.
AT half past IL o'clock the roar of the
battle almost shook the earth in this Vi
cinity, for the Union guns were being fred
with all the energy that the prospect of
the enemy's defeat could inspire. The
fire from the rebels was not, however, so
vigorous, and they began to evince de-
sire to withdraw They fought as they
slowly moved back keeping up their
fire from the artillery and musketry
along their whole column, and appar-
emily disdaining any motion which could
be considered as approximating to a
retreat As they retreated they went
in excellent order, battling at every ad-
vantageons point, and delivering their fire
with considerable effect, Moving some
what in the direction af the river, closely
followed by our men, Gen. Grant feared
some mistake might occur on the part of
the guhboats whereby our men might be
injured by their fire, Accordingly mes
senger was sent, ordering the Tyler and