The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-09
the GREAT CONFLICT OF the WARI
THREE DAYS FIGHTING,
IMMENSE LOSS OF LIFE!
The Rebels get the worst Of it.

der9N contain long and interesting ac-
counts OF the proceedings of Hooker's ar
my. Inc Tunes correspondent states that
after three days skirlnishing on both sides.
the rebels on Saturday afternoon and eve,
mng attacked our right flank. jackson.
WIN ms repeI corps Of 10000 men, throw
ing himself impetuously on Howard's 18th
corps, but the movement was only parti-
ally successful, and reinforcemenfs heino
promptly sent by Hooker. the rebels ware
handsomely checked.
Howard's corps consisted of Schurz,s
SteinwihPs and Deven's divisions. The
Times correspondent states that this corps
disgracefully abandoning their position
behind their breast-works rushed panic
stricken towards Headquarters. Our right
was thus completely turned, and the rebels
We're in fair way Of doubling us up. S.
Gen. Hooker was Immediately in the
saddle and turningto the commander ofhis
own old corps, briefly ordered General,
throw your men into the breach, receive
the enemy on your bayonets, and don't
fire shot, so they can't see you." They
rushed gloriously at double quick. to the
front, and the reserve pressing forward
with horrid array Of glittering steel
the enemy were checked and retired to
the breastworks just abandoned by How
ards corps. The batteries were imme-
diately massed on the crest of a hill, pour
ing in a terrific fire until far into the night.
General Pleasanton also checked flying
battery of dozen pieces. He drew up his
little brigade Of cavalry, with drawn
double-shotted with canister and swept
the enemy's position. In this charge of the
rebels they took from the cowardly Dutch
men, as the Times correspondent styles
them, twelve pieces Of cannon.
The Germans fled past Hooker's head
quarters in a panic. Many members of the
Staff, with pistols and sabres, vainly en-
deavoring to stay their flight. Sykes
regulars are picking them up.
The artillery combat continued till mid
night fercely. Hooker and his Staff were
all the time under the severest fire.
Another correspondent of the Times, da-
ted Sunday evening, says: It was report
ed from Howards front that the rebels had
been engaged all Friday night cutting a
road past his right, but not much attention
was paid to the fact. On the afternoon it
was reported by the pickets of the right of
Slocum's front that Wagons were seen NOV
ing all day in westerly direction.
Sickles, with heavy force, was sent to
reconnoiter, when the advance fell in with
the rear Of Jackson's army. Sickles imme-
diately pushed on to check -mate Jackson,
and soon captured the entire 23d Georgia
regiment of 400 men, including the officers.
This movement of Sickles cut Jacksen's s
force in two, and Gen. Williams commenc-
ed a flank movement on the enemy's right
with good prospects of success.
It was supposed that Howard's corps,
formerly Sige1's, would successfully resist
Jackson's movement, but the First Divis-
ion assailed, Carl Schurzs, almost instant
ly gave way, thousands throwing down
their guns and streaming towards head
quarters. Gen. Deven's division. by the
i1of ~ 4 Lo ofh f<,
stand against the rebels. Deven's was a
second time wounded in the foot while en-
deavoring to rally his men.
Howard, with all his daring and resOlu-
ton, coold not stem the tide, and the brig
ades of Colonels Bushbruck and McLain
remained fighting as long as possible, retir-
ing in good order. OF course this disaster
compelled the recall of Sickles, who had
been vigorously at work. Gen. Williams
Division returned to find portion Of his
works occupied by the enemy. Sickles
could not communicate with the whole Of
his army by the route he came, and Hook
er advised a night attack, to restore COM
munications.
Wards Brigade, aided by Vests Battery
made the attack at IL o'clock at night,
which was entirely successful, and in q
the artillery lost by Howard was gallantly
retaken and the enemy driven back nearly
a mile. That night Saturday our men
slept on their arms.
On Sunday at o'clock in the morning
the rebels could be plainly seen on plank
road about a mile and a half from Hook.
er's headquarters, at the Chancellor House
which house had been penetrated the even.
ing previous by shell.
Our line Of battle was Immediately form
ed, and in half an hour our advance be.
came engaged. Soon battalion after bat
talon became engaged-the enemy advan'
cling in overwhelming numbers, seeming
determined to crush ours. Sickles' and
Slocum's brave men, however, held then
in check-indicting dreadful slaughter up
on them. Meades division was sent in or
our right flank, and soon crushed that por
ton Of the enemy's line, and at 8 O'Clock
French sent his compliments to Hooker
stating that be had charged the rebels, ant
was driving them before him.
Five whole rebel divisions were thrsw1
upon Sickels, but he and his gallant soldier
held the traitors in check, taking durinl
the day an aggregate of 1000 prisoners
The fight was a desperate hand to han'
conflict, and the carnage was horribl.
frightful. Officers say that the dead ant
wounded rebels covered the gronnd il
heaps, the rebels literally throwing them
selves upon the muzzles of our guns
Motifs brigade made fifteen distinct charge
and captured seven stand of rebel colors
stand of colors and 500 prisoners. A pal
of Cordis', I'd corps, was present-Hancoc
gallantly going to the relief of the har
pressed Sickles. The engagement Taste
from $50 to S:45 A. NJ, when being out {
| a ~, ,,up;t;op our forcaS hold their noSitjO