Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-13

t0OusaDd men.
Biruey, commanding the first division of this
corps, consisting OF the brigades OF Graham,
Ward and De Trobriand, the heroes of Chancel-
lorsvIle, with Clark's New Jersey battery, were
first in position, and we're compelled to meet the
first assault alone and unsupported. although
completely overwhelmed, md subjected to fire
of musketry and artillery that never was eqnaled
in this or any other war. This latter division
held their ground bravely, and fought veterans
only can fight; but they could not be expected to
stand long against such fearful odds. and soon
were forced to fall back. They were then joined
by Sykes division OF the 9th corps. and Humph
rey's of the Sd, Berry's old division. formerly
HoOkers; and being heavily reinforced with
tillery, again advanced and renewed the contest.
At this advance the battle ragged even fercer
than before Closer and closer the lines drew
together. until the engagement became an actual
hand to hand encounter, the bayonet and saber
playing conspicuous part, strewing the ground
with national and rebel troops in one common
mass.
THE TACTICS OF THE ENEMY.
At this juncture a novel maneuver was dis
played by the enemy in order to gain possession
of the mountains on the right of their line. BY
moving up a regiment they would deploy it in
line of battle, and while that was engaged
move another along its to the right and de-
ploy it there but, steadily advancing their Le of
battle in that direction, though really gaining in
advance in this way, they fought to the base of
the hills and then to the crest, finally moving
over to the western slope.
ARRIVAL or THE OLD SIXTH CORPS.
At this juncture the noble sixth corps, just ar
rived by forced marches from Westminster,
came into service. Thev were formed in line at
tbs eastern base of the mountain As the enemy
pushed his way across the ridge, they were en-
=.
termined the fate OF the day. Not expecting this
fire when they received it. they were thrown into
the widest disorder and fell back in confusion.
THE PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES
then advanced and took possession of the noun.
tain crests. which terminated the fighting for the
day, and left masters of the situation, but in
gaining this advantage we had made great sac
ri6ces. Our men had been compelled literally to
charge up to the cannou's mouth to contend
against vastly superior numbers. On all sides
our losses were very heavy and the proportion of
field and general officers that fell, was beyond
precedent. Ii was in this deadly struggle that
Gen. Sickles was wounded, and also Gen. Ora
ham, of the same corps; and here, too, Generals
Zook and Weed both sacrificed their lives. lead
ing their respective commands up to the fight.
The record of the Sd corps shows numberless
chief officers sacrificed in this fierce encounter.
witnessing the desperation with which it was
fought Out of this little corps nearly three
thousand men were placed hors du combat in this
short engagement.
THE LIST or CASUALTIES
l send with this embraces the names of scores of
COlOnels, Lieutenant COonels and Majors, who
fell in this struggle You will notice how many
fell from the ranks of the old Excelsior and the
jersey brigades. The other commands of the
corps including Wards brigade especially, suf.
fered equally Even the division commanders
were called upon for examples, ard but few es-
capped unhurt.
THE GALLANT BIRNEY
was twice struck by the bullets of the enemy,
though happily but slightly injured 1t is but
proper to mention that this single action saved
US the day.
EFFORTS or sICKLEs.
And for this credit is due to Gen. Sickles, who
also saved us at Charlottesville Repeatedly
he notified Gen. Meade that the enemy were
pressing to eDfilade our left flank which the Sd
corps formed; but still he required to hold
position facing the west, when he was convinced
the attack was coming from the south. Against
this he protested. without avail, until 3 o'clock in
the afternoon when a council of corps command
ers was called While this council was in ses-
sion, and before il had decided upon plan of
battle the attack came.
PROMPTNEss or GENERAL MEADE.
General Meade st once said to General Sickles,
Your left flank is attacked; that determines our
plan, make your dispositions to meet it,"
sIcKLEs TO THE FRONT.
General Sickles galloped away to the field,
and, IN less than ten minutes, and in the face Of
CALLING fire. changed the front of his corps. and
advanced to an elevation little in his front, to
aoG P,,ff for
portuney executed. the enemy would have en-.
fiaded and destroyed US The instance signally
illustrates the wonderful readiness and resources
Of General Sickles as a military commander.
Had he been permitted to make the change earlier
in the day and secure positions fo- his troops be
fore the attack came, we should doubtless have
had less sanguinary though M less glorious
record. In this engagement General Sckles re
manned with his command, close in the action,
directing every maneuver and movement. His
staff particularly Lieutenant Colonel Hart. Ad-
jutant General and Chief. Lieutenant Colonel
HAYDEN, Inspector General and Acting Aid. Ma.
jor Tremane. Chief Aid Captain Randolph. Chief
Of ARTILLERY: Captain Webster, of the ambulance
corps, and Acting Aid Captain Fry, and Captain
Moore, Aid, and others, were in the thickest of
the FRAY. and nobly supported their beloved Gen
eral. Nearly all of them suffered the loss of
horses. Captain Randolph. early in the action,
was struck by musket ball in the shoulder, but
refused to leave the field.
HOW sIcKLEs WAS WOUNDED
When the gallant General fell his staff ran to
his assistance and bore him off the field. he was
struck just below the knee by a shell, and his leg
so badly shattered that it hung merely by
shred. He was carried to a wheat field in the
rear. where amputaton performed under the
influence of chloroform, as previously described.
HE is LAID ON THE FIELD.
The loss of blood, combined with the effects of
the chloroform and his previous physical prostra-
ton, caused him to remain insensible for some
time, but on ralyng he discovered your CORES
pondent by his side and recognized him with
"God bless you" and again sank away Rally
ing again, he looked in my face. and said feeby.
"Cook. in this war a man is but cvpher God
rules and directs all for the best" After another
short stupor he rallied and noticed Father
O'Hazan, the worthy Chaplain of the Excelsior
brigade. by his side and took his hand thanking
him for his attendance. and receiving from
the prelate some words of consolation and sym-
pathy. The doctor then approached. and as
sured him that he was dong remarkably well, to
which he replied by thanking the Surgeon, and
asking him il he ever again could sit on a
horse On being assured that be could he smiled
with satisfaction. and turned over in doze.
Soon after he was taken on litter by detail of
his old Excelsior brigade. and borne away to a
house on the Baltimore turnpike, where he passed
the night very comfortably. attended by DR..
Simms, Major Tremain, Captains Fry and Moore,
of his staff Mr. Cutha the director of his militia
~ household, and bis body servants On Satur-
day special train of cars was sent to Littles-
town by the War Department for him. and this
morning he passed over the road to Washington.
where he was joined BY his friends he is doing
finely, and promises to recover rapidly.
CONCLUSION Oh TEE FIGHT or THURSDAY.