The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-12-10
THE ATTACK BY THE CENTER.


In massing on the right to oppose
Sherman the enemy had been COM
PEELED to make the error of the day,
and which was to ruin them. Gen.
Grant, standing OH Bald Knob, plainly
saw their movements to the right, and
felt that the movement to strike had
come, anticipating as result of Sher-
mans persistent efforts, this massine
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 command of Gen. Palmer
and consisted of the division of Gen.
Sheridan and the two brigades of Gen.
Johnston. not hitherto engaged. On
the left the sterming party consisted of
Gen. Baird and Woods divisions, un-
der the immediate command of Mai.
Gen. Gordon Granger. These had
been lying for some hours aw aiting the
word of attack. 1t was three O'Clock
when Gen. Grant pronounced that
word, and in FIVE minutes after, the two
grand columns moved gradually to the
attack. They were ordered to strike
the mountain at points about a mile
apart, and to make the ascent as rapidly
as was consistent with good order. I'M
mediately on reaching the summit, the
two forts were taken possession of and
held.
The enemy was encountered in con-
siderable force in his rif1-pits at the
foot of the mountain, but after weak
resistance, the rebels turned and fired,
endeavoring to reach the summit Of
the hill. In this few were successful.
Many laid downIin the trenches and
surrendered, while many others were
shot down. as they ran up the hill. Our
men pushed on, without hating,
through the deserted rebel camps, and
began the steep and difficult ascent of
the ridge.
1t was now that the weakness of the
rebels 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.
General 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 advanc-
ing. But this did not serve to stay
the fresh, eager men, who had Chicka-
manga IL 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 strength and vigor the mel.
pushed forward, each striving with the
other as to who should reach the sum-
NIT first. This rivalry extended to
regiments, brigades, divisions. 1t has
become a question which will never be
settled. 1t is enough that they reached
the summit, and they secured sixtytwo
iron and brass and brass and steel
proofs of that fact.
Gen. Turchn's brigade, of Birds
division, on reaching the summit imme
diately proceeded to occupy the center
fort, while one of Gen. Palmer's divi-
sions secured the one on the rebel left.
Gen. Turchin had not yet gotten his
entire brigade into the work, before he
was attacked most furiously by the
enemy. He hastily pushed forward
the rest of his regiments, to the sup
port of those engaged with an over
whelming force, for the enemy, finding
us in possession of the ridge, made a
desperate effort to recover from his
disaster, and charged Turchin with all
the force he had 10 spare from Sher-
mans 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 dis
ordered fight. The battle was over
and at p. M, on Wednesday night.
Thus ended in magnificent feat of
arms, a series Of as brilliant operations
as this war has yet witnessed. The re-
suit to US can hardly be calculated.
The siege of an important stronghold
has been raised by the almost complete
destruction of the besiegeing 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 ene-
my who but yesterday was offensive
has now been forced to take the defen-
sive. Our communications are intact,
and last, but not least, our army has
been enabled to push forward, and will
doubtless soon strike the flying foe.
Our losses are estimated at 500 killed
and $500 wounded. We have lost no
prisoners. ~ sat
The losses Of the enemy have been
mentioned at 2, 900 killed and wounded,
and 1000 prisoners. Gen. Grants
latest dispatch says we have taken
sixty-two' pieces of artillery. aal3io 2is-
We have received, and published
below number of casualties in Ohio,
Indiana and other Western regiments.
| We are daily expecting from our cor
respondents full lists OF the killed and
wounded in the remarkable battles OF
Ckickamauga.