The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-07-16
The Great Battle Of July Sd

ShAfhiC DESChIPT1ON FROM THE WORLD.
Az one who stands in tower and looks
down upon lengthy pageant marching
through thoroughfarc, fnds its impossible
At the close to recall in order the appear
ance and the incidents Of the scene, 30 I.
who ait this evening on camp st.,ol beside
the ruins of the monument against which
leaned listening to the robin Of Yesterday,
hEd It impossible to recall within distict-
ness the details of the unparalleled battle
just closed. The conflict waged by 16O, 900
men. which has occupied with scarce an in
tervenal of rest the entire day, from 4. q. m.
until o'cloek this evening, contains so
much, 90 nsdr. and such voluminous matter
Of interest as one mind cannot grasp with
out time for reflection.
This last engagement has been the f1erc-
est and most sanguinary of the war. II
was begun at daylight by Gen. Siocum.
whose troops, maddened by the loss Of
manv comrades, and eager to retrieve the
position lost by them on the proceed ing
evening. advanced and delivered destruc-
tive fire against the rebels under Ewell.-
That Generals entire force responded wi b
charge that is memorable even beyond
those made by them yesterday. TWAS des-
desperation against courage ! The fire of
the enemy was mingled with yells, pitched
even above its clangor. They came on.
and on. and on, while the National troons
splendidly handled and we'll posted. stood
mistaken to receive them. The Gre with
which they did receive them, was 80 rapid
and 80 thick as to envelop the ranks of its
deliverers with pail that shut them from
sight during the battle which ragged thence.
forward for six dreary hours. Out of this
pail no stragler came to the rear. The line
scarcely flinched from the position during
the entire conflict. Huge masses of rebel
infantry threw themselves into it again in
vain. Back, rs ball hurled against : rock
these masses reeoiled, and were reformed
to be hurled anew against it, with fierce
ness unfrntful of suceess-fruitful of car
mage. ~ before. The strong position occu.
pied by Gen Geary, and that held by Gen.
Birnev, me! the first and hardest assaults
but only fell hack short distance, before
fearful odds, to re-advance. to re .sssur q
ard to hold their places in the company
with Sykes division of the 9Th Corps. and
Humphreys (Rerry's old division) of bs
Sd. when judiciously reinforced with srtil-
Iery. thew renewed and ,ntinued the con.
test until its close. 1t seemed as if the
gray uniformed troops, who were advancing
and re-advancing by their officers IN to the
very edge of smoke IN front of our infantry.
were i'm 'elied by some terror in their rear.
which they were as una lie to Withstand AZ
III " were to make Roadway against the fire
in their front. 1t was hard tc believe such
desperation voluntary. It was harder to
believe that the courage which withstood.
and defeated it was mortal.
The enemv gradually drew forward his
whole line until in n my places q hand to
hand conflict ragged for minutes. HIS artil-
lery, answered by ours. played upon our
columns With frightful results, yet they did
not waver. The tie MAS in this way.
evenly contested for time, but at q mo.
ment when it seemed pioblsmatical VIII ich
side would gain the victory, reinforcement
arrived and we're formed in line at such q
position o. to enfilade the enemv and teach
him at last the f1tility VI his efforts. Dis
ordered, routed and confused, his whole
force retreated. and at IL o'clock the battle
ceased and the stiffness Of death ensued.
The silence continued untif2 p. m. At thia
mono Mt the rebel artillery from oil points.
in circle radisting around orr own, beg n
> terrific and concentrated Gre IN Cemetery
Hill. which was held as previous . ated,
hy the 18th and I'd corps. The Aock of
pigeons, which had not ten minutes prey;
Gus darkened the sky above, were scarcely
thicker than the fack of horrible missiles
than now, instead Of sailing harmles sly
above. descended upon our position. The
was thick with shot and she'll
The storm broke upon US 20 suddenly that
soldiers and officers-who leaped, as It be-
gan, from their tents, or from lazy siestas
on the grass-were stricken in their rising
with mortal wounds died, some with cigars
between their teeth, some with pieces OF
food in their ingers.an one at lea>t--a
pale young German, from Pennsylvania
with a miniature of his sister in bis hand,
that seemed more meet to grasp an artist
pencil than musket Horses fell, shrek |
ing snch awful cries as Cooper told OF, and |
themselves about In hopeless ego. |
ny. The boards of fences, scattered BY ex |
,losion, few in splinfers through the air
The earth, torn up in clouds, blinded the
yes Of hurry'ng men and through the
ranches Of the trees and among the grave
tones Of the cemetery shower Of destruc.
'--aszss.usssvws~esss -, "a !. nth hnodra,lc
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