The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1863-07-17

capable OF. It was reinforced there by
some dismounted dragons, and fought in
the open field; for, though some rail
fences were thrown down across the front
of our line, they effected no cover. From
the woods beyond the farmhouses, and
across the open space, the rebel force of
perhaps three large brigades advanced
handsomely in the line of battle, while the
rebel batteries near the general centre
shelled our position hotly to cover the ad-
vance.
On came the line, right up within short
range of our position, when it was opened
upon with fire so sharp and well served as
to stagger and then completely repulse it
Backward went the line that came for
ward in such good order, mere mass of
stragglers, each of whom made the best OF
his way across the plain.
While the musketry was very hot IN
front of Gen. Doubleday, party OF about
one hundred rebels stole through the
woods well up to Doubleday's left flank,
and fred barn, one of those immense
magazines of breadstuffs that in Pennsyl-
vania SO overpeer the comparatively small
farmhouses. An immense column of
smoke soon began to ascend from the
roof breaking out presently into white,
sulphurous cloud, and then into fierce
red blaze. Under cover Of this fire the
rebel skirmishers exchanged numerous
shots with line of skirmishers from the
cavalry on our extreme left. Repulsed,
but not vanquished, the rebel line was
reformed and reinforced; but now for a
second time, came in force nearly twice
as great as at first. Once more, also, the
batteries threw shells, answered by our
batteries on the left, and also by batteries
of ours on the extreme right, which this
time threw shell at position on the eme-
my's centre. Once more tie packed,
rapid rattle of our file fire broke out, and
once more the rebel line was broken and
went to the right about in rout.
There is mysterious fatality connected
with the third line; and so, after lull
and period of comparative quiet of some
twenty minutes, onward for third time
came the rebels, quite as orderly as before,
their line Of skirmishers firing as they
came on. In so great force was this line
that it completely overlapped the line of
the first corps on both fianks. Two bri-
gades on the right were quite out of am
munition, and the order was given to re-
treat on the town; and our boys accord
ingly retreated in good order while the
rebels rushed forward with yells to our
position. On came the enemy's fourth
line, further to the right of the third, in
good order, skirmishers ahead, until the
position at the seminary was reached, when
they came forward with a rush and occu-
pied hill we had deemed it worth while
not to hold after the other was taken. On
also came another line in support behind
this, and our cavalry on the extreme left
began to retire.
The new position Of the third corps was
at line of stone wall southwest of the
town, along the slope of hill ON which
there is a cemetery. When the first corps
retired to the town, the left of the eleventh
was uncovered, and heavy advance COM
pletely on its right flank at the same time
compelled it to retire. 1t affords me pleas
TIRE to say that this corps is reported to
have fought well, but lost many men. AS
was Oh our extreme left did not see the
fight OF the eleventh corps, and leave all
particulars in relation to it to the gentle
man who was with it.
After our retirement on the town the
rebel advance was not pressed farther
And SO ended q battle that was brought on
in the most rash manner, yet which was
well fought against 8 largely superior
force, and gotten out OF at last much bet
ter than We could have expected TO get out.
The rebel force fought by us was the
corps Of General Ewell and that OF a. P.
Hill. South Of the town is q high hill, on
which is cemetery, and this became the
headquarters. It's slope to the west was
held by the first corps, and a continuation
OF hills from it toward the east was held
by the eleventh, while the twelfth corps
was placed so as to hold both fianks, the
first division, under General Williams, be-
ing on the extreme right, and the second
division, under General Geary, Oh the ex-
treme left. The third corps, which came
in Just at nighttall, was massed in the CEN
ter, ready to be used whenever occasion
| might require. General Slocum, Of the
twelfth corps, had assumed the command
upon his arrival.
| Major General Reynolds was placing bis
men when he was fatally wounded, and
urging them on to the support OF General
Buford. he cried out in his enthusiasm
For Gods sake, forward! my brave
| boys, forwarl.'' And forward they did
go-,:hat iron brigade OF old Colonel Mere
dith's, which has never failed since the war
began. Just then General Reynolds re-
ceived his fatal wound, and falling over
upon Captain Wilcox, his aid, who was
riding beside him, lie exclaimed: GOOD
God, Wilcox, am killed"
TREE RATTLE OF THURSDAY.
! General Reynolds, it seems more and
more clear, fought rashly on Wednesday,
and very probably against the wishes OF