Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-12-31
The Assault Knoxville-Yanl<ee Account OF the
GeIIantrx Confsdsratss.

Calamity of the Confedsratss
TIE New York papers cor tain org account OF the
assault made by portion of Gen. Longsreet's force
on Kn0xvile- The night had been very cold and ct
dawn next morning the Confederates seen advan
Gig in three lines to the assault heavy artillery
fire was Immediately opened upon tbem Despite the
the re bel host with brigade front, slowly pouring over
the railroad cut and quickeniDg i'll motion rs the
ground presented less obstruction, until at last eerg
ing rom the nearest timber they broke into
THE CHARGE.
Across the open space which intervene1 between the
timber and the FORT aud which crossed with logs
and the sumps of feled trees, they came at mpe
tuous speed The first check given when the fore
most of the column stumbled line of telegraph
WIRE which had been stretched through the low brush
la coiled from stump to stump out of ordinary view
AS they halted be-e mouentariy, falling over
other until the Of the obstruction discovered
baterits in the fort had full play and Ben amin
Buckley and Roemer poured in their rounds quick and
fast, while the infantry of Ferrero kept CALLING
fire from nu.Aotry. The embrasures of the fort and
tie whole line of the parape bazad at with dis
charges Still the rebels pressed on, their battle flags
of red with of blue, floating defantly above their
beads over the serried line of bayones Ralying
the temporary obstruction eaping the jumps and legs
and pushing through the brush they within pistol
shot of the fort Our during the last few minutes,
had received orders their fire until each could
single oat bis target at close range while Ben jauin
treble shotted his guns, and Buckley loaded with mis-
terrible canister.
THE REPULsE, RoUT AND RETREAT.
And now, together, all launched forth. The effect
terrific. Broken in their line, few of the
desperate Of the rebels eprang into the DITCH cambered
up the gacs and almost side by side with the flag of
the Union planted the banner of treason. But, con-
fused panic stricken, the of the column gave way
aud rerea.ed down tbs hill others, again. afraid to
advance retreat in the face of what was certain
DEATH end appalled, by the heaps of slain which strew
ed the field, threw down their and surrendered.-
The most desperats-and gallant band they were
remained fast by their officers, who vafantiy kept the
lead to the very fort itself and following them they
jumped into the ditch, attempted to scale the giacis,
each to receive his death wound bis head appeared
above the parapet. A captain in words which would
SQUAD oddly at so thrilling moment, and in language
forcible than polite demanded the surrender of
the garrison be pushed his body through of the
embrasures and faced the very muzze of the cannon
His the discharge OF the piece when rent
limb from limb, bis manged c,rps what was left of
it, was hurled outward into the air. His comrades
still lurking around the of the trench, essayng
by every means to get within the work, SUBJ
jected to the fire OF hand gteuadcs, which Lieut. Ben
amin extemporized by cutting shert his fuses, which
he lit when he tossed tbs shells the edge of the
parapet- Baff1ed at every point, aud finding them
selves unsupported by the rest of the charging column
| they surrendered, and were hauled within the fort,
though not u1til the trench was piled with toe dead
| and dying.s
| AS the main body gave way and fell back the car
mage among them fearful Their disOrdered line at
| length disappeared within the timber while wild
huZza went up from victorious boys. few strag
gng shots around tie angle Of the fort and In the
trenches mingled with the heartreuding means of the
| wounded and dying, and the fight was over The
grand assault had been made and repuscd the storm
ing party which had advanced lately in all tie pride
| and confidence Ct veterans had met an enemy their
equal at least, and now scattered mob in the
| woods beyond. In short, Knoxville still ours
TRUCE-BURIAL OF THE DEAD.
And now, how sudden the transformation of man
from lend to angel TIE agonizbg cries OF the wound
and dying called cut the better feelings of humanity,
and the very spot where hour before the combat
ants struy Cling in deadly strife, they COM
mingled in the offices charity. The wounded in the
trenches first relieved By Coptan Swinscos and
Lieutenant Benz amin, VINO went to their immediate as
sisance with caneens OF water and liquor The trench
presented ghastly sight, with the manged bodies and
pools OF blood while the field beyond strewn with
the same terrible objects. C5ioneIs Bowen and Bah
cock, OF Gen. POtters staff after made their ap
pearance with formal flag Of truce, and passed cut
upon the Kingston Loudsn road, until halted by
enemys Diminishing line. They met, after brief
delay, by Colonel Sorrel of General Longsreets staff
who cessation OF hcstiities agreed upon 70 last
until p m, TO permit the interRlen of the dead who
were lying along lines, and the exchange of the
wounded.
The following is copy of the letter which led to the
establishment OF the truce:
HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS,
Knoxville East Tennessee Nov. 49, 1868. {
Major General McLaws, Or other Officers Command
GENERAL: Under instructions from Major General
Burnside, commanding the Army Of the Ohio, ad-
dress you this Communication for the purpose of offer
ing cessation of bosies for sufficient time to
range for the noval Of your wounded lying in front
OF my lines. Lieutenant Colonel Bowen, A. A. G.,
the bearer OF this communication is authorized to make
such arrangements for this purpose may be agreed
upon. Your obedient servant,
ROBERT B. POTTER,
Brigadier Genel al Commanding.
hnt iha
neutral ground, and the dead carried back to the
rebel line, where they hurried by their late
rades. The officers commiDgled from Generals down
to Leuenants and also did the soldiers, until their
officers ordered them back to their respective places
Nearly hundfed OF the rebel wounded had been car
red into the city and cared for at the hospital OF the
| Ninth Corps. By direction of Or. Wilder our ambu-
lances with of those of the rebels driven by Union
soldiers went back into the city, obtained snch of tie
and delivered them on The dividing line, where our
| ambulances-orivers being exchanged in turn-Went
within the rebel line and obtained our wounded. Sc
much delay epsued in doing all this that the truce
extended beyond seven o'clock, the opposing Off
GERS still remaining together, chatting in The most
agreeable manner upon every topic which suggested
itself Finally the last wounded Union soldier
obtained the last ambulance returned withr works,
the officers of the contelding armies who had mutually
found and greeted many old friends and classmates
shook hands with the utmost cordially and parted
In few minutes the firing of the pckes indicated the
resumption OF hostilities. 1t may be Ws.L
INCIDENTS.
During battle many little occurrences trarspre
which, in the hurry of letter for the mail or for
COURIER the present the corresDop3ent cannot