The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-10-03

ate true heroism, brutally murdered him
where he stood. The history of the war
furnishes not an incident more touching or
more sublime than the death of Lieut.. Van
Pelt.
All the guns of the battery, save one, fell
into the enemy's hands.
Along the entire line of the left and CEN
tire there were similar instances of heroism,
only two or three of which have time to
mention.
AT one time the guns of the 4th Indiana
battery Capt. Bush were all in the hands
OF the enemy, but were retaken subse-
quently by a simultaneous charge OF the
infantry and artillery men. This battery
is attached to General Starkweather' brl-
gade.
During the fierce assault upon the lst dl-
vision, the I'd Ohio, being in confusion, was
rallied by Gen. Baird in person, and led
back to most effective charge.
Major General J. J. Reynolds, who COM
bines the chivalrous courage OF an olden
knight with the cool, calm ability OF a
Turenne, had time, not only to keep his
own division in effective order, but to give
his generous assistance TO the forces around
him. A tremendous onslaught OF the en-
emy broke Gen. Palmer's lines, and scat
tered several of his regiments in wild dis
may, toward the rear. Amongst these was
the 9th Ohio, which. in charge of the fine
nobly maintained its ground. Gen. Rey-
nolds, perceivingthe danger, quick as light
ming threw himself amongst the brave but
broken Guthries. ..s.g, r..
| "Boys!'' he shouted, "are you the soldiers
ofthe 9th Ohio, who fought with me at Cheat
upon traitors in Virginia. VIII you do it
here?" ...~....E.. -
lgG"No! no!!'' they screamed almost fran
tically. "Lead US back! lead us back!'
| From every quarter came rushing up the
scattered fragments Of the regiment; with
magic swiftness they reformed the ranks;
with General Reynolds at their head they
charged the insolent enemy, and after
| moments struggle every rebel in front of
| them not killed or wounded was in confus-
ed retreat. .t..s+
The example of the 9th Ohio was commu-
nicated to the flying fragments of other re-
| giments, and it is fact which will long be
memorable in the history of this battle, that
| these rallied stragglers, principally from
Palmer's division, reformed ranks almost
of their own accord, and drove back the
enemy who had been vigorously pressing
on.
But / cannot linger to gather up these
scattered facts. Let me endeavor to give a
brief and succinct view of the course of
events on Saturday, and then pass on to the
great drama Of the succeeding day.
! i
night of Friday placed it on the left of the
line in the following order: Brannan on
the extreme left, Baird next, and Reynolds
next. Negley was assisting Wood to hold
the passage of Ovens Ford and the posi-
ton Of Gordon's Mill, which had now be-
come our extreme right. One division OF
McCook's corps (Johnson's) having come
up to the new line sooner than the rest, re-
ported to Thomas for orders, and was as
signed to position upon the left between
Baird and Reynolds. Two divisions of Crit
tenden's corps held the centre Of the line,
Palmer on the right of Reynolds, and Van
Cleve next to Palmer. When the battle
! corps. were rapidly marching toward the
left, to complete the line and take position
on the right of Van Cleve. Generally, the
| line took the direction of the Chickamauga,
withdrawn upon the left so as to follow for
a considerable distance the course of the
Lafayette road, which runs directly north
and south. ..'.s
| The rebels had been maneuvering all day
on Friday about the position at Gordon's
| Mill, and seeing its great strength had me-
naced our left flank, doubtless with the ex-
press purpose of compelling General Rose
Grams to abandon it. AS the left must be
protected at all hazards, their plan partial
ly succeeded, and the immense transfer o1
4 Thomas from right to left on Friday night
so far snited their designs. But it rendered
our own left so strong that 1t became i'm.
possible for the rebels to turn it, as they
had all along hoped to do. The attempt on
our part to hold Gordon's Mill, after this
transfer, perhaps occasioned too great a
lengthening Of our lines, and consequently
too little solidity. True, it seemed every
way adapted to prevent the enemy from
fianking us upon the right, but the simple
withdrawal of our right wing to the Mis-.
sion Ridge, allowing it to rest there, woulG
have fully secured that flank, enabled us
to bid defiance to the rebels in that direc.
ton, greatly contracted our front, and re.
leased for immediate service on Saturday
the splendid divisions Of Negley and Wood
! The entire distance over which the line eX.
tended was little short of three and a hal
miles.
i 1t was between ten and eleven wher
Cronton's brigade, of Brannan's division
going down to a ford over the creek, just
opposite their position, encountered the en-
envy, who was advancing in force, and, af
ter gallant combat, was driven back
Reinforcements Immediately coming uI
from the remainder of Brannan's division
the rebels were in turn driven pell-mell to-
ward the ford. Another terrible charge by
a largely increased force Of the enemy
pushed back the whole Of Brannan's divis
i IAN, involving Gen. Baird, who at once be-
came fiercely engaged. The regulars, out
flanked, after the withdrawal Of Brannan's
men, fought like tigers, but were rolled
back and over Scribner's brigade-the righ
of which, being rather too far advanced
was crumpled up, and the brigade literally
surrounded, until, by unparalleled gallant
nv, it cut its way through. The storm
rolling from left to right, fell next upor
Johnston, and almost simultaneously up
on Reynolds, who both fought with despe
rate valor, wavering at times, but agair
regaining their tirmness, giving back a lit
of Brannan and Baird, rallied by their able
leaders, and by the personal exertions o
Thomas himself, whose courage was as
conspicuous as his coolness, came up once
more to the work.
Then the order was issued for the entire
line to advance, and nothing in history ex'
ceeds in grandeur the charge of that pow
} erful corps. Longstreet's men from Vir
ginia were directly opposite to the troops @
Thomas, and although they fought with
stubborn determination, they could not fol
, a moment check the slow and stately
: march of our battalions. In vain they raj,