Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1863-06-06


yea Zcuaves, were lying at nearly right angles
with the road. The Zouaves were parallel with
the road. Quick as thought, General Sykes
brought his men into line--the Zouaves on the
left hall wheeling into line Of battle likea mach
inc. The rebels paused moment on the top Of
the ridge and, as if to nerve them for the onset,
gave one Of their scattering, domoniac yeS, aud
then came down on the double quick shooting,
capturing and literally running over our poor
pckets, who scrambled behind all sorts Of obs
tructons. But in an instant more o terrific crash
resounded from the ZOuave end Of the line, and
down the column rolled tho most deafenng roar
OF muskotry that in all my war experience has
ever met ears. 1t did not last, apparently, two
minutes, but its work was effective,
This attack was very fierce, and being so much
nearer than the previous firing had been, created
considerable commotion around the cross roads.
1t at once brought General Hooker into the sad
die for the first time during the day, and things
were speedily in shape This onslaught was for
the purpose Of retaking this very important point
The first thing done was the nassing of artillery
near the roads, ard In fifteen minutes twenty two
guns were sending shell into the woods, and the
roar Of artillery became ten times more deafening
than that Of the musketry had been, The work
was soon done. The contest lasted three quart
ers of an hour, and tho enemy ANONYMOUSLY re
tired. U
Although this attack was so handsomely re
pulsed, it proved to be only preliminary to still
greater operations. At 4;30 =. NJ. Col. Dven
who had cavalry sklrmishers on the plank road
reported the enemy advancing in force and driy
Ing in his pickets. lie was soon discovered de
ployng to the right, and Gen. Slocum promptly
met the move by sending in Gearys division ant
Elampton's battery. The attack proved to b,
only a leeler, however, and the next thing was
development still further on our right, which wal
again checkmated by Gen. Williams, who, will
three batteries Of artillery and his own division
replied very effectively to the enemy's fire, whcl
was sometimes brisk, but never heavy, Beyont
this be did not go, except to Occasionly shell Oh
extreme right, under Cen Howard. aud his troop
were very placid, and the shells did no damage
For awhile there was cessation OF the desul
tory, spasmodiC firing, which had been going OIL
for two hours. But at l-2 ocock desperate
charge was made for our batteries coumandin!
the plank road. The rebels advanced throug
the woods at rapid puce, and got within poin
plank canister range oil our guns, A column, asC
came up the road wildly. Geary met them wit
great promptness, and wheeling regiment int
the road, deadly volley was poured into thc
advance AT the same tine Knapp and Hampto
double shotted their guns with canister, aud 70
fifteen minutes there was another fiery episode
OF course the enemy were severely repulsed, an
with heavy loss. Their killed and wounded ie
in the timber in front of our batteries, and th
leaves and brush having been set on fire by she'll
the poor wretches arc suffering double death.
After this hour there was no more vigorous al
tempts on the part Of the enemy. For an hou
or more sharp shelling was kept up against ou
extreme left, occupied by Gen, Meade Gen
COUGHS forces were deplOyed early in the after
noon, and rendered effective assistance in SUP
porting the center. Gen. Sckles' column acte
as a reserve
The entire operations Of The day indicate thu
the enemy was engaged mainly in feeling ou
lines, epdeavoring to find weak point, and I
ascertain the strength Of our position and forces
but he was repulsed at every point, particular
in his attempts to retake Chancellorvle, and i
the insane charge upon our batteries,
Every thing goes to show that Lee will ope
the attack early this morning. Il is now thte
o'clock A. NJ, May Our troops have been q
work all night, and the woods resound with tn