Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-01-17

SELF His three brigades fought with despe-
rate enegy, and the hail of lead they poured
into the first column caused Ii to turn and
retreat instantly. This column is understood
to have been Brcckinridge's division, and is
reported to have been terribly cut to rieces.
Claiborne's column came on as unfiinchingly |
to the assault as If that of Breckinridgc had
not fahered and they met with better sue
cess. Our little band could not withstand |
the numbers now advancing upon thtm, and |
one by ope the brigades began to fall back |
slowly, giving their artillery time to recross
the stream. The position deserted by them
was soon occupied by the Rebels, and as our
men fell back to and crossed Lytles creek,
they pursued them to the very banks Their
artillery was moved up, and, on the very hill
where Beatty had just been, poured in upon
US terrible fire. From either psnk Of the
stream the two forces poured in upon each
other terrible fire of musketry, Wood en-
gaging for short time on the right of
Beatty, va ..lI..- -.. A
Negley had been left in reserve for wise
purpose. 1t now became apparent. BY
order of Rosecrans he came up to the reserve
followed closely in rear bY the division of
jeff G. Davis. The men of Negiey advanc-
ed, led by their gallant leader, with the
widest shouts of enthusiasm. They pressed
forward to the left of Beatty, and on reach
ing the bank of the stream opcned with
splendid effect on the Rebels beyond Neg
ley got the batteries of Captain Schultz and
Neil to work in fine style, and and shrapnel
were poured into the Rebel lines. They
&avercd and fell back slowly. As Davis
came up into line on his left Negley ordered
his division to advance and cross the stream.
With bound and q shout the Seventy
eighth Pennsylvania, Colonel Sirwcll push
ed forward and was the first to cross. The
Nineteenth Illinois and the rest of the two
brigades followed. Davis took the Order to
include him, and Beatty WAS not slow in
following
On the other slfctr. in admirable disorder
but a line sufficiently good. as Ncgley IT;
marked, for practical purposes, the gallant
Pennsylvania suddenly found himself Ihc
senior division commander on that part of
| the field. He looked along the line. A
glance of the eye at Beatty and Davis told
what was in his heart and his mind lie
passed through his ranks, placed his hat
upon his sword, shouted to them to charge,
and led his line to the top of the hill. The
charge was the most desperate and the most
| brilliant of the day. The Rebels could not
stand it, but broke and fed. The Seventy
|
| Twenty-sixth senpessce infantry. Colonel
Liliard, securing their, colors. The Nine
tcenth Illinois and Seventy fourth Ohio dis
pute The honor of having taken what was
reported as Douglass Kentucky Artillery.
As soon as General Rosecrans had learned
from Ncgley that he was driving them, and
that they were almost driven to a disgrace
| full rout, he ordered the whole line to be
advanced. The line. from right to left, in a
moment after, BECAME apcrfect sheet of flame
and smoke. The resistance on the rebel left
and centre was manfully made; but Polk
could no longer sustain himself against Neg.
ley. We could zee by the smoke of battle
that Ncgley was fast getting upon their right
flank, and we could distinctly hear the shouts
of victory far in the advance. The men
were nerved anew with vigor, and they
pressed forward. In vain the enemy resist sd
With their right wing broken, it was in vain
to attempt to hold their position, our mcr
pushed forward with the most desperate
energy, and drove them rapidly before them
The outer works were passed with shout
that must have made the hearts of the Rebel,
sink within them. They never paused, ant
hardly resisted. But alas, night came at lHs
and saved them.
Ncgley sent word, tbat night had over
taken him within view of their works, ant
within "a of mile Of Murfreesboro'
He would not advance further until he re
ceived orders from Gen. Rosccrans. Woult
he please say forward Negley thought h
could take the works But the line wa
halted, and the men lay that night within
I mile of Murfrccsboro. When Satuyda
morning dawned it found them entrcnchet
: | in the very front of tie Rebel works.
| Ngfyynvc brilliant -l,o r,ra ,,os tl,a Inoisi,-
contest of the week. He had broken til
: rebel line, and, having turned the right win
had, aided by the rest Of the army, drive
r Bragg not less than two miles. The lGttG
now lay in his works beyond Iytle's ere,
and almost in the town Of Murireesnoro'.
The work has been accomplished. To-mo
S row vas TO find tl.e enemy whipped.
!. General Kirk acted in the most gallal
!, manner. lie rode up to Edgarton's batter,
: shook the Captain by the hand and said
: few words of commcndation to him. AS h
c turned away and was urging his men int
{ line. he was struck by shot in the side an
+ carried from the field. His brigade was CT
t to pieces in Il few moments, but fought aC
!. mirably. His losses are heavy. The Sever
L ty-scventh Pennsylvania, Col. Stambscl
5 loss over one hundred in killed, wounde
c and prisoners, the Lieutenant Colonel, p.
! IIoussan, being among the killed, ri
|, Seventy niath Illinois. Colonel S. p. Reat
G lost seventy.eight IN killed, wounded an
1 missing. Colonel Read fell at the head
his regiment The loss of officers is vel
/ heavy in this brigade. The Thirty-fourt
o Illinois, Kinks old regiment, lost sixty sevC
d in all Among the officers FIVE were Woun'
i ed and one captain is missing.
n Gen. Sill was killed instantly by bull
T through the left eye. lie fell in the front
Y his command, and his body was left on Il
q field. Sill was one of the best men IN Il
c service, and his place will be with difiicul
&c filed
L In the latter part Of the morning the fih
IS ing in Rousseau's and Neglcy's Division
r was most terrible Both of these Generr
Ie behaved with the greatest gallantry, al
d they are looked upon as the heroes of Il
s. day, In Negley's Division Of two Brigade
d the loss is roughly estimated at five hundr,
N killed and wounded. There are none mis-
ing. The Seventy eighth Pennsylvania 10
T one hundred and fifty killed and wounde
The Twenty.irst Ohio lost twenty killed al
fifty wounded in the affair.