The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-10-07

i u. hill commanded on the rlgut, fOik VI
the centre, and Longstreet on the left. The
command of Lungstreet was composed o
,uch of the brigades of Hoods and McLaw''
divisions as had come up, and Hindman's
Prestons, Stewards, and Bushrod Johnsou'S
divisions of the Army of Tennessee-the
hree last constituting the corps OF Itha,
intrepid officer, Major General Buckner.-
These forces held the extreme left, and were
opposed 70 the right wing of the enemy
which rested upon the mountain and occu
)ied a strong position. Hills corps on the
right was composed of Breckinridge's and
Cleburne's fine divisions. am not yet in
formed of the composition of Folks com
mand, which occupied the center, nor OF
Walkers corps, which was held in reserve
By order of General Bragg, the attack
was commenced about 10 o'clock on Sunday
morning, on the extreme right, and was
taken up by each succeeding division tt
the left, reaching Longstreets left at III
o'clock. and thus taking one hour for the
gave of battle TO roll from one end of the
inc to the other. On the right and in tht
center, the attack was not successful IN The
early part of the day. Tie enemy had
nassed heavy force on this part OF the
tisld, and maintained his position with so
much stubbornoss that Walker was order
ed up with his reserves. 70 the support OF
Hill and Polk He moved forward in su-
perb stvIe, and fell upon the enemy like q
lhunderbolt; but the Federal columns still
stood their ground aud fought with despe-
rate galantry.
In the meantime Longstreet had been
steadily pushing back the enemy on the
left, meeting no check, and carrying every
thing before him Under his orders Buck
ner executed successful flank movement,
while Hood and others made vigorous as
.ault in front The effect of this combined
attack was to force the Federals to abandon
that part of the field, and to seek position
on high ridge. They had not more than
formed their lines, however, before the brig
ades of Kershaw and Humphreys, of Nc
Laws division, under command OF Kershaw,
(McLaw not yet having arrived with the
remainder of his DIVISION were ordered TO
assault the ridge. Here desperate strug.
gle ensued. Kershaw carried the position
a gain and again and lost it as often. 1t was
evident that tue enemy had the advantage
both in position and numbers, but the brave
Oaroliniaus and Mississippians did not stop
to consult the odds against them. General
Longstreet very properly, however, sent
Gracie's, Kelley's and Trigg's brigades, OF
Prestons heroic division, TO their support
A vigorous and Simultaneous assault was
then made, and the enemy finally driven
with great slaughter from the crest OF the
ridge and down its side. Preston and his
entire command behaved with distinguished
gallantry, and like the veteran kershaw
and his loyal followers, excited the admira-
ton Of all who witnessed their conduct
Kershaw captured nine guns, number OF
small arms and prisoners, and Humphreys
took 435 prisoners, four regimental stand
ards, and one headquarter flag.
Hindman, whose position was next on
the left, was not idle while the struggle
was going Oh. He engaged the enemy in
his front, and after fierce encounter, com
PEELED him to retire along With the rest OF
the Yankee forces.
The advantages which Longstreet had
gained on the left could but arrest the at
tention of Rose3rans, who consequently
detached heavy force from his left wing
and center and sent it to the support Of his
right. This important movement did not
escape the viyilant eyes OF the Contederates
General Law no succeeded to the COM
mand of Hood's division, after the latter
was dangerously wounded, ordered bat
terry Of ten guns to be pushed forward to
position from which IL could enflade the
reinforcing column as it advanced This
was late in the afternoon, and at n time
when Preston and Johnson's divisions Of
Buckner's corps, and Korshaw and Hum
phreys, Of McLaw's division, had again be-
come engaged with the enamy in desper-
ate conflict. After gaining possession of
the ridge as heretofore described, they had
continued the pursuit until they came up
with the retiring inc, who turned upon his
pursuers and once more attempted to make
stand.
The reinforcing column was about to
wheel into position, when the battery Of ten
guns opened upon Il 2 terrific entilading
fire, About the same time Lieutenant
Colonel Sorrel Of Longstreet's staff, order
ed Stewart division 70 advance and fall
upon the flank OF the column. The shock
was terrible. The enemy halted, staggered
backward, fell into confusion, and finally
fed, followed by those to whose assistance
they had gone. Indeed, they were badly
whipped ON this part Of the line, and lost
largely iu prisoners, killed and wounded.
About three thousand prisoners were ia
ken In addition to the guns captured by
Kersaw, Hoods division took twenty one,
thirteen Of which we're brought off by
Laws brigade ara eight by Benning's.-
Each of these last named officers was con-
spicous for good conduct But this was
true Of all the officers and men, and need
not stop TO particularizs ore more than an
other. Gen Hoods wound, which has re-
suited in the ampVtation Of his thga, is
deplored By the whole army. A more use
full and gallant officer is not 10 be found in
the Confederate service.
But the maneuvsr by which the Federal
commander sought to reinforce his right
wing did not escane fha notios of polk