The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-09-29

being rather too far advanced, was
crumpled up, and the brigade literally
surrounded, until, by unparalleled gall
lantry, ii cut it5 way through. The
storm, rolling from left to right, fell next
upon Johnston, and almost simultaneous
ly upon Reynolds, who both fought with
desperate vslor, wavering at times, but
again regaining their hrmness, giving
back little but again advancing, until
the troops Of Brannan and Baird rallied
by their able leaders, and by the per-
sonal exertions of Thomas himself, whose
courage was as conspicuous as his cool
ness, came up once more TO the work.
Then the order was issued for the en-
tire line 10 advance, aud nothing in his
tory exceeds in grandeur the charge of
that powerful corps. Longstreeps men
from Virginia were directly opposed TO
the troops Of Thomas, aud although they
fought with stubborn determination, they
could not for an instant check the slow
and stately march of our battalions. In
vain they rallied and re-rallied, in vain
they formed double lines, which fred
simultaneously in vain they wheeled
their cannons into a score of new posi-
tions. Thomas moved Fesistlessly on.
Much of our artillery lost in the morning
was recaptured. Seven pieces were taken
from the enemy. They had been pushed
already three quarters of a mile, and
Longstreet was threatened with actual
annihilstion, when q rev danger caused
Thomas 10 halt.
While orr left wac 90 remorselessly
driving the rebels, Polk and Hill collect
ting their chosen legiOns, threw them with
great impetuOsity upon Palmer and Van
Uleve, in order to effect q diversion in
favor of Longstreet An obstinate con-
test ensued, but the overpo wering num-
bers of the enemy spec Oily broke TO
pieces large portions of our two divisions,
especially Van Cleve's. In fact, the rout
of this part of our line was becoming az
complete as thatsof the enemy's right
when Davis, who had been marching up
as rapidly as possible to intersect with
Van Cleve's LETT, arrived upon the ground,
went in most gallantly, and for time,
restored in that locality the fortunes of
the day. But the enemy kno wing that all
depended upon his etfecting diversion in
favor of the defeated LOngstreet, massed
nearly the whole of his available forcs,
hurls d it upon VaaOleve, aud Davis, drove
the former to the left and the latter TO the
right, and entered boldly the opening thus
made. TWAS just at this iuncture that
Tnomas's troops, whose attention had
been called to the extreme danger of our
center, began to retLrn. Reynolds i'm
mediately sent the heroic Wilder to the
assistance of Davis, aud the celebrated
brigade OF mounted infantry at first scat
tered the enemy in terror before them
But the persevering rebels rallying
again, and charging in fresh numbers,
even Wilder began slowly to fall back
Gen. Sheridan, who had been following
after Davis, now came up, aud led Col.
Bradley's brigade into the fight. 1t held
| its own nobly, until the rebels, in large
force, getting possession of piece of tim
Der near its flank, opened upon it an en-
fading ire, which compelled it to give
way. ehr ii. -9r1si-. q
But now new actors appeared upon the
scene, Wood aud Negley, who had gal
lantly repealed the assaults of the enemy
! at OWENS Ford assaults intended as
feint TO conceal the design of the enemy
against our left, came up TO the rescue.
| Their troops went 10 work with a will
| The progress of the enemy against Davis,
Van Cleve and Sheridan ..yas speedily
checked. Reynolds, returning from the
pursuit of Longstreet, assisted in rally
| ing the broken battalions of Palm or.
Thousands Of our scattered troops reor-
ganized almost of their own accord.
| Baird, BrannAn and Johnston resumed
their places, A consuming fire swept all
along our front. The rebels retired eV-
erywhere before il, aud before sunset our
line was again in battle array upon al
most precisely the ground held that
morning. .-.I
| just before dusk the enemy, as IL in
| spite of his unsuccessful efforts, opened
a heavy fire of artillery aud musketry
upon these same troops, and continued
il until after nightfall. But it was 50
promptly returned that be sustained
certainly as much injury as he in
fiicted, and about six o'clock drew of
entirely, leaving the day clearly, our
own.
The morrow cane. No sound Of ratt-
ling musketry or roaring cannon, OF
bursting shell disturbed the peaceful
ness of that Sabbath morning, The Sab
bath yes, il was the blessed day of rest
rest given ia mercy by kind heaven 10
ungrateful man. Will the battle be no
newed day? If 80, it will be by the
action Of the enemy, for Gen. ROsecrans
does not willingly Gght on tho Sabbath,
The first hour after sunrise passed
Surely" said our officers aud soldiers
'there will be no eight; for ifthe enemy
had intended TO attack us he would, fol-
lowing his usual tactics, have fallen up
on us at day break"
Two hours more had gone by, anc
soms dropping musketry began 10 bl
heard along the various parts of our line
Finally, at about ten o'clock, there wer,
several fierce yolleys, and the loud boom
ing Of half a dozen pieces Of artillery
announced that the enemy had again, al
on the day before, assaulted our left.
The fight upon the extreme left com
menoed by desperate assault Of th'
enemy upon Gen. John Behtty's brigade
Of NegleY's division. The brigade, 81
well as its famous leader stood then
ground nobly but being somewhat $50
lated from the remainder OF the line
finally retired. II will be remembered
that the other brigades OF Negley's di
vision were posted much further 10 th
right. A desire TO reunite the two pOr-
tons of his command induced Genera
Roseerans 10 send General Wood 20 TAX
General Negley's place in line until th
latter should effect tine reunion Of hi