The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-10-22

my were making evcry effort in their
power to break our left. The division
which was on the right being taken
away, leaving the flank ofthe regiment
exposed, q number Of men were
sent out for the purpose of watching
the movements of the enemy who were
in the front and give notice of their
approach. Our boys had thrown up
some fence rails for protection, and
hardly had the fankers moved any
distance before the enemy, in irresista-
bic numbers and closed en- ma$Se, made
their appearance, and before the regi-
ment had an opportunity of getting
into position to receive them, charged
right forward, firing the most awful
volley of musketry, moving down the
men like grass, and trampling over
those who were wounded No human
power on earth could have stayed the
tide. Men were compelled to give
way; the rebels outnumbered them ten
to one. Slowly and sullenly our men
retired, not running, but to t,se the
graphic language of Major Butterfeld,
absolutely pushed" away from their
place by the overwhelming force ofthe
enemy. Everything was done that it
was possible for human beings to do.
The men, under the efforts of their Off
GERS and prompted by their own con-
victions Of duty, rallied time and time
again, moved forward toward the enc
: my, fighting gallantly and gloriously;
but alas, to no purpose, for every rally
was but an invitation to death. In
these moments, when mems very souls
were tried, when the shock of battle
was raging the fiercest amid the smoke
and noise, the loud cheers of the foe
and the desperate resistance to their
attack, many q soul bid farewell tn
earthly scenes, and familiar faces in
your midst will be seen no more. The
numerous instances of heroic daring
. and god-lille bravery that transpired
in those moments would fill volume.
Fairfield need never blush for that
hour for not man but that did his
: duty nobly and well, has she sent from
: home
, Every where confusion reigned su-
prcmc. The army was fleeing before
a desperate and apparently successful
foe. The whole of McCooli's Corps had
, given way, and like all other COM
, mands was unable to rally. Our right
| flank being wholly exposed, it became
necessary for Gen. Thomas to gain q
f position and rally his men. To him
! the nation to-day stands indebted fol-
, the safety of the Army of the Cumber
= land; mothers for the lives Of theil
: sons, and wives for the personal liber'
4 tv of their husbands. Never, in the
S history of this nation has there been q
/ time when single man deserved the
: love, admiration and the unbounded
e respect of an entire people as now
!, There breathes no purer patriot Oh
7 more accomplished soldier, modest and
|. unassuming, kind and afectionate il
!, all his intercourse with his interiors
g in the hour of battle he is the very
h personifcation of bravery, and on the
e afternoon ofSunday saved, by his per
+ sonal exertions, the Army of the Cum
G bcrland from worse than defeat
: Sunday evening our men occupied
new line nearer the town, and by thu
D exertions of the officers, the straggler'
were gathered together men who hat
: been separated from their commands
: rejoined them, and before the dawn o
Monday morning, confdece was re-es
tablishcd, and tho men vowed that thu
u rebels should not whip them, and tina
they would not move another step
8 Daylight came and no attack was made
IL week has passed and u place natu
G rally strong has been rendered almos
u impregnable by art. Thus ends one o
G the most desperate and obstinatel.
I fought battles of the war. The mel
y wcrc fighting most Of the time within
4 fifty yards Of each other, and no dispo
. sition was manifested to shrink from
J the combat; frequently the scene woul'
Il change and like the waves, would b
$ the pressing to and fro Of the opposing
T. columns We are not beaten; the enc
!, my are not by any means jubilant; the,
u have gained It's true, the battlefield
i but they are by no means nearer tn
B. accomplishment of their designs thai
N they wore before tho engagement. W
'r occupy Chattanooga and defy them t
. get us out of it.
~ ~ IT'S said a nations glory consists j
= her children. What heritage doc
"a o,,rs NOT ,,oesoes What n LIST Of heroe