The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-10-08

began advancing toward us over the
field. Their discipline seemed very
perfect, and it was an imposing pageant
when, as they came on, their banners
futtered above their heads and their
glittering arms flashed back the sun
light through the thick clouds of dust.
Capt. johnson, of Gen. Negley's
staff, who, on being severed from bis
own division, had Immediately reported !
to Gen. Thomas for duty, bad already,
at great personal risk, ascertained that
+. the advancing bat;alions were Infantry,
and now the question arose, was it our
own or the enemy's. Hope and fear
: alternately agitated our bosoms, until
at last, looking through our glasses, we
could clearly distinguish the red aud
blue, with the white crescent! 1t was
the battle flag of Gen. Granger, and
the troops we'saw were two brigades,
MitchelPs and Whittaker's, of Stead
mans strong division. These, were
comparatively fresh troops. True,
they had marched some weary miles
over roads ankle deep with dust.
True, they had hurried along rapidly
to succor their comrades and particis.
pate in the fight. Bot they had not as
yet been engaged that day, and hence
they could indeed be considered help
to the battle SCARED veterans who held
the hill.
As soon as Gen. Granger had report
ED to Gen. Thomas for duty, he was
sent by the latter to bring over an am
amunition train from the Rossville road.
The, train had fallen into the hands of
the enemy, but the march in search of
it brought Steadman at once into con-
tact with the rebels, and a desperate
conflict Immediately ensued. 1t was
now that the brilliant courage of Col.
John G. Mitchell, commanding one of
Gen. Steadman's brigades, became
conspicuous Now Gen. Whitaker
had an opportunity of baptizing in
glory the star recently placed upon his
shoulder; and now the troops of Re-
serve Corps, comparatively unused to
battle, had an opportunity of testing
their mettle. Nobly did all pass
through the ordeal, and although once
thrown into confusion by the concen-
trated fire from a score of rebel regi-
ments and half as many batteries, they
rallied under the tire, and drove the
enemy from hill almost as formidable
as that which formed the key of Gen.
Thomas position. The rebels made
one desperate effort to retake this posi-
ton, but were bloodily repulsed and al
most for the first time since the fight
began there was lull in the fearful
storm.
An hour passed by, and it became
evident that Bragg would not be foiled
In his attempt to annihilate our gal
liant army without another effort.
Folks corps, assisted by the Georgia
State troops, by Dabney Maury's divi-
sion, and by various detached frag-
ments of the rebel army, were to try
their hands upon the heroic band who,
as the forlorn hope of the army, still
held the field Our feeble ranks were
gathering up. The thinned battalions
were brought closer together. The
dozen pieces of artillery were planted
to sweep all approaches to the hill
and each man looking at his neighbor
vowed, some mentally, aud others au-
dibly, to die right there, if it were neo-
essary, for their country, for freedom,
and for mankind.
All along the woods skirting the
cleared fields at the southeastern foot
of the hill in the bolows aud ravines
to the right, and away to the left, upon
and beyond the Lafayette road, the
rebel legions were seen gathering fol
the onset.
Just before the storm broke, the
brave and high souled Garfield was
perceived making his way to the head
quarters of Gen. Thomas. He had
come to be presen. at the final contest
and in order to do so had rode all the
way from Chattanooga, passing through
fiery ordeal upon the road. His
horse was shot under him, and his or
derby was killed by his side. Still he
had come through, he scarce knew
how, and here he was to inspire fresh
courage into the hearts of the brave
soldiers who were holding the enemy
at bay, to bring them words of greet
ing from Gen. Rosecrans, and to in.
form them that the latter was re-orcan.
izing the scattered troops, and, as fas,
as possible, would hurry them forward
to their relief