The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-10-08
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gazette.
From R0secrans' Army.
Full Details Of Saturdays and Su,a-
days Fight.

On Thursday Minty and Wilder
were at Reid's brigade, but on Friday
morning Wilder moved to Anderson's
brigade, higher up the creek. During
the day the latter closely watched the
enemy's movements, and observed a
troop of rebel cavalry come through
Napier's Gap, on Pigeon Mountain, and
move towards General Woods posi-
ton at Gordon's Mill. At the same
time strong column came over direct
ly in front of Wilder, and another col
umn boldly advancing on the Ringgold
road, threatened Minty. Both attacked
simultaneously. Wilder succeeded in
repulsing his opponents, but Minty's
flank being turned by the rebels, he
was considerably distressed until the
more fortunate Wilder sent two regi-
ments and section of artillery to his
assistance. With the help of these he
maintained bis ground; but the same
movementjby which the rebels had sue
ceeded in turning Minty's right flank
enabled them to get upon Wilder's left,
and in his rear. Under these disad
vantageous circumstances, the latter
was compelled to renew the fight; but
although severely pressed, he succeed
ed in holding the bridge until near
dark. Then fresh forces of the enemy
coming up, and his own men being en-
tirely exhausted, Wilder began to fall
back. The rebels perceiving this made
determined effort to cut him of. He
slowly retired, resisting at every step,
until he had arrived to within a mile
and half of Gordon's Mill, where the
44th Indiana and 5Oth Ohio coming to
his assistance, he was enabled to check
the rebels and eneamp for the night.
During the night his own pickets and
those of the enemy actually grasped
each others guns in the darkness, and
several times engaged in fierce strug-
giles for their possession.
Before daylight Wilder was ordered
to move to the Lafayette road and take
position there, which he did; throwing
up for his protection breastwork of
rails.
All night long on Friday night the
movement of Thomas'corps continued.
Crittenden's was already in the position
it was intended to hold the next day,
so that Thomas passed it by and placed
his divisions upon the left of the line.
General Negley being in position at
Owens Ford, higher up the valley for
the purpose of preventing the enemy
from coming into the breach which
Thomas movement would leave in our
line. Johnson's division, of McCook's
corps, reported to Gen. Thomas and
marched with him to take position upon
the left Of Crittenden. Gems. Davis
and Sheridan were, in the meantime,
moving as rapidly as possible toward
the left, SO as to connect the line, which
would be much shorter than it was the
day before.
AS soon as the sun was fairly risen,
mounted my horse, intending to ride
to the extreme of our line, and thence
proceed from left to right, SO as to get
as accurate an idea of it as possible be-
fore the real work of the day should
commence. Riding about mile / saw
troops coming into the road from the
woods at the east of it. and had not
perceived through my glass that tney
were habited in blue, should have
Judged from the direction whence they
came that they were q portion of the
Irsbel army. Suddenly saw . courier