The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-05
BURLINGTON WEEKLY HAWKEYE.

- n III IL
formed under heavy fire, in the rear and
on the left of the first brigade. Here this
also halted, but like the first, was not per-
mitted to rest. Indeed, about this time the
nrst brigade, Col. LOOMS, unable to bear
the attack of stones heaped upon Them, rose
from its position and advanced, but to re-
ceive such heavy fire that after moment
the line wavered and broke, falling back
rapidly and in considerable disorder. But
no sooner had it met, in descending the
mil; the ascending brigade, than the men
rallied as If by magic, and moved up the
NIL again in admirable good order, and
upon line with the other troops. These
also advanced to the protecting ledge of
rocks before mentioned. and here the Whole
force laid down as before.
IL was nearly two O'Clock when it was
discovered that third brigade-Ranne's-
was moving up the hill to the assistance of
the other troops. This brigade formed on
the left and rear Of the two others. It was
evidently intended, at first, to form line of
battle, echetCn on the right, but the eircum-
stance Of the falling back of the first bri-
gaze, prevented the carrying out of this in
tention. This whole force was soon in
readiness and moved to the attack.
But the enemy had not been idle. Seeing
the heavy preparations making for the as
sault, he was forced to mass his troops
NPoh nio iSAI' IL now appears tnaJ ne
marched them down the west slope of the
ridge, and formed a line of battle at right
angles to that of our forces. It was at the
very moment our troops, elated with the
chances OF success now presented to them.
We're moving forward to the attack, and
had reached to within twenty-five yards of
the enemy's fort, that this thanking force
appeared around the spur Of the hill, and
began to pour in upon our right flank a
most tremendous fire. Our forces attempt.
ed to change front. but it was too late
After short and desperate, but Intellectual
effort, the line wavered, broke, and retreat
ed in disorder. The enemy pursuing some
portions of our troops who fled in the d.
rection in which lay the brigade which had
made the first assault, came upon that bril-
gade, and after few minutes fighting were
repulsed and pushed into their works.
Gen. Sherman sent Col. Walcot word to
intrench himself, and thus ended the as
saults by Gen. Sherman. ~
THE ATTACK BY THE CENTER. EeE
In massing on the right to oppose Sher-
man, the enemy had been compelled to
to ruin them. Gen. Grant, standing on
Bald Knob, plainly saw their movements
to the right, and felt that the moment to
strike had come, anticipating as result of
Sherman's persistent efforts. this massing
OF Bragg's forces on the right. Grant had
formed in the valley on either side Of Bald
Knob two strong storming parties. The
right one was under the immediate COM
mand of Gen. Palmer, and consisted Of the
division of Gen. Sheridan and the two bril-
gades of Gen. Johnston, not hitherto en-
gagged. On the left the storming party con-
sisted of Gems. Baird and Woods divisions,
under the immediate command Of Major
Gen. Gordon Granger. These had been
laying for some hours awaiting the word OF
T 0SoON nj, ,lc,, n
Grant pronounced that word, and in five
minutes after, the two grand columns NOV
ed gradually to the attack. They were or
dered to strike the mountain at points
about mile apart, and to make the ascent
as rapidly as was consistent with good Or
der. Immediately on reaching the sum-
NIT, the two forts were taken possession of
and held.
The enemy was encountered in consider
able force in his rifie-pits at the foot Of the
mountain, but after a weak resistance, the
rebels turned and fed, endeavoring to
reach the summit of the hill. In this but
few were successful. Many laid down in
the trenches and surrendered, while many
others were shot down as they ran up the
hill. Our men pushed on, without halt
ing, through the deserted rebel camps, and
began the steep and difficult ascent of the
ridge. "
1t was now that the weakness of the reb-
els in the center displayed itself. The line
Of musketry fire was not heavy; and it was
soon seen that they had but few supports
for their artillery. Gen. Grant soon saw
that this was composed Of numerous pieces,
for from every point along the ridge, they
belched forth grape and canister at the
heavy columns, now so rapidly advancing.
But this did not serve to stay the fresh, ca
ger men, who had Chickamauga to revenge
Upon the hill there stood the fifty guns they
had lost at Chickamauga, and interest on
them OF twelve pieces more. AS if inspired
with new strength and vigor the men push
ed forward, each striving with the other as
to who should reach the summit first. This
rivalry extended to regiments, brigades,
and divisions. 1t has become question
which will never be settled. 1t is enough
that they reached the summit, and they Sc
cured sixty-two iron and brass and steel
proofs of that fact.
Gen. Turchin's brigade, of Baird's division
on reaching the summit Immediately pro-
ceeded to occupy the centre fort, while one
Of Gen. Palmer's di visions secured the one
ON the rebel left. Gen. Turchin had not
yet gotten his entire brigade into the work,
before he was most furious!y attacked by
the enemy. He hastily pushed forward
the rest of his regiments, to the support of
those engaged with an overwhelming force
for the enemy finding US in possession OF
the ridge, made a desperate effort to re-
cover from his disaster, and charged Tur-
chin with all the force he had to spare
from Sherman's front. But no sooner had
the reinforcements of Turchin gotten into
position, than the rebels, recognizing that
all was lost, turned and fed down the
mountain, seeking safety in disordered
flight. The battle was over at p. M, on
Wednesday night. r
Thus ended magnificent feat Of arms, a
series Of as brilliant operations as this war
has yet witnessed. The result to us can
hardly be calculated. The siege OF an inn
portant stronghold has been raised by the
almost complete destruction OF the besieg-
ing force. THE enemy in our immediate
front driven to seek safety in flight, the
rear of the no less dangerous enemy in
front Of Gen. Burnside is SO exposed that
he can only protect himself by retiring
Already the telegraph informs us that he
is retreating TO Dalton. The enemy who
but yesterday was offensive has now been
forced to take the defensive. Our commu-
nications are intact, and last, but not least
our army has been enabled to push for
ward, and will doubtless soon strike the
flying foe.
'Our losses are estimated at 500 killed and