The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-12-10

plunging fire from the enemy's artillery upon
the crest, they entered the timbered portion
near the summit; were met by showers Of
stones and rifle balls, as well as by a storm of
grape; but still refused to retire, and lay down
within a hundred yards of the muzzles of the
rebel cannon!
ENERA HowARD's MEN ENGAGED.
Gen. Towards troops alse became engaged
here, and though at times somewhat roughly
handled, behaved in a manner highly honora-
BILE to themselves and the noble men who lead
them.
THE ENEMY MASS UPON THE LEFT.
Gen. Baird's division of the 14th Corps was
at this time marching by the flank, in front
of Fort Wood, for the purpose OF taking po-
sition between Gen. Woods division and
Towards left. This movement fhis, plain
ly perceived by the enemy, fully impressed
them with the conviction that our grand as
sault was to be made upon their right, and
instantly a massive column of their forces be-
gan to move northward along the crest of the
ridge. 1t was a splendid spectacle as regi-
ment after regiment, brigade after brigade,
fled off toward our left and it was well for
Sherman's brave men that they could not see
those battalions, for they impressed each be-
holder with an idea of almost resiStlesS pow
er.
REPULsE OF oUR LEFT.
Suddenly the storm burst upon MatthieG'
brigade and the left of Howard. The fierce
flames from thirty pieces of artillery leaped
athwart and across the ravine which separa-
ted two hills, and a flash of lightning from
ten thousand muskets blinded the eyes of our
men. They rose from the ground and re-
turned the fire they even endeSvored to ad-
vance, but, against such overwhelming odds,
to persevere in either, was humiliation Gen.
Matthies was wounded and disabled a score
of officers were shot down; files of our SOL
diers were swept away at each discharge, and
at last, unable longer to endure this useless
slaughter, they broke and fled down the hill.
For a moment the heart of the beholder was
filled with anguish as he saw them Fastening
in wild confusion back across the field over
which they had so gallantly advanced but
he felt treasured when he saw that the mo-
ment they had got beyond the fire of musket
y ,and while still in full range of the enemy'G
cannon, they reformed their ranks and were
ready for another combat But their work fcg
the day was over.
THE CRISIS.
And now came the great crisis of the bat.
tie.
The men who held in their hands the DIES,
TIMES of the army, had marked from the po-
sition on Bald Knob the movement of the reb-
ell legions toward the left, and in an instant
perceived their advantage. In the face of
three such leaders as Baird, Wood and Sher-
idan, Bragg was repeating the old fatal error
which lost the Allied armies Austerlitz and
the Union Interchangeable was weakening
his centre and making a flank movement in
the presence of his enemy.
In an instant Granger and Palmer hurled
Wood and Sheridan down the slope of the
ridge upon which they had been posted, and
Baird across the lower ground to the left
Through the woods cOncsaling tho ~ri1e-pits
they charged, and burst like a torrent into
and over the same, scattering the terrified reb-
who occupied them like thistle down or
chaff.
THE SOLDIERS DISoBEY DRR
Here, according TO original orders, our line
should nave halted but the men were no
comfortable. Baird had carried the
rifle pits in front Of his position, and the shout
of triumph rousing the blood to a very fren-
zy Of enthusiasm, rang all along the line
Cheering each other forward, the three divis-
ions began to climb the ridge,
A fiery mass
Of living valor rolling on the foe!
The whole Ridge blazed with artillery. Di-
rect, plunging and cross fire from a nun
dred pieces of cannon were hurled upon that
glorious band of heroes scaling the Ridge,
and when they were half way up, q storm
of musket balls were flung into their very
faces.
In reply tothe rebel cannon upon the Ridge
Fort Wood, Fort Negley, and all our batter
les that could be placed in position, opened
their sublime music.
TUMUL OF THR BATTLE
The storm of war was now abroad with
supernatural power, and as each successive
volley burst from the cloud of smoke which
overspread the contending hosts, it seemed
that ten thousand mighty echoes waksned
from their slumbers, went grooming and growl-
ing around the mountains, as if resolved to
shake them from their bases, then rolled away
down the valleys, growing fainter and faint
.er, until distinguished by echoes of succeed
ing volleys, as the distant roar of the cata-
ract is drowned in the nearer thunders of the
cloud.
MISSION RIDGE sToRMED
And still the Union troops pressed on, seal
ing unwaveringly the sides of Mission Ridge.
The blood of their comrades renders their
footsteps slippery the toll Of the accent al
most takes away their breath the rebel mus
kerry and artillery NOW Down their thinned
ranks-but still press on Not once do Mey
aun.. oa., Il, ann III. nn1or In...u- s..n.
ahead, and plant their flags far in advance Of
the troops and at last,O moment Of suprem-
est triumph. they reach the crest, and rush
like IN avalanche upon the astonished foe
Whole regiments throw down their arna and
surrender, the rebel artillerists are bayoneted
by their guns, and the cannon which had a
moment before been laundering on the Union
ranks, are now turned about, pouring death
and terror into the midst Of the mass of mis-
cradle fugitives who are rushing down the cas-
tern slope Of the ridge.
JOHNSON N HooKER
Almost simultaneously with this immortal
charge Hooker threw his forces through a gap
in the ridge upon the Rossville road, and hurl-
ed them upon the left flank of the enemy,
while Johnson charged this portion Of their
line in front. Already demoralized by the
spectacle upon their right, they offered but a
feeble resistance, were captured by hundreds,
or ran away like frightened sheep.
THE ENEMY ENDKAvoR TO RESTORE THE DAY.
One fierce effort was made by the rebel
leaders to retrieve the day. The left wing.of
Gen. j. B. Turchin's brigade OF balrd's dlvls-
ion, had taken possession Of a small work con
structed by the enemy of that portion Of Mis-
sion Ridge nearly opposite Fort Wood: Be
fore he could arrange his regiments inside,
the rebels, gathering up all the unrouted
fragments Of such force as they had upon
the centre, charged Turchin with Q deter
mined fury excelIing anything they had DIS
played upon that part Of the field during the
day.
rURoH1H's BRILLIANT Defense.