Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-22

bresstworks were thrown mp along our Ines TO protect
the troops, in case a charge should be made by the en-
envy. On Tuesday moraing %skrmishhng again com
meneed on our left, and was kept up during the day,
bat much heavier than on The day proceeding. Toward
noon the enemy made a charge on Robinson's battery,
which was quickly rePulsod. About 81 P. N. Captain
Stanford was ordered to send a section, owe guns) of
his rife battery around to the left wing, where the enemy
had succeeded in obtaining a favorable position for his
artillery. Accordingly Lieutenant Haoiin took com
mand Of the section designated, and we proceeded for
half q mile through a dense cedar grove, coming up
Immediately behind RobinsoEs battery, which was en-
gagged in a terrible conflict with g battery Of the enemy
only four hundred yards distant Here we remained a
few minutes for orders while the shells were exploding
among as every minute. There was scarcely a tree to
be seen which was not shattered by these terrible mis-.
siles. Presently we were ordered into a cornfeId Just to
the left Of Robinson. We numbered and opened i'm
medistely upon the enemy in front. Az soon as we IN
covered, our position exposed US to the view Of another
Yankee battery, on g bill to the right teme seven hun
dred yards distant, so situated as to give it a raking fire
upon US.
For som reason or other, fear for no good one,
Robinson's battery 10 our right ceased firing as soon as
we had opened, thus turning the whoe Of the enemy's
fire upon US. In a moment our ears were crested with
q perfect hurricans of she'll and canister. the latter
coming from the battery nearest rs
The enemy had every advantage of us. Our pieces
were in an opea field, while his batteries were partially
protected by woods. Our chief advantage, that of long
range, was lost by cur proximity to the enemy, while
his guns were Of large caib,s, and we were as near as
he could wish. It was a rash and unwise order that
sent US to such a position. But we that
we were Misslssippisns, and resolved to stand though
our lives should be sacrificed in the attempt.
WIKI, ratified the eannister--bang, exploded the shells
around as, while the sharp crack Of our two rife pieces
responded Is the roar Of the enemys twelve guns.
Fortunately providence smiled upon us. The greatest
portion Of tAs enemy's shots were aimed too high, and
passed just over rs I suppose that at least a dozen
shells passed within ten feet Of my lead. We main
tanned this unequal contest for half All hour, and were
than ordered from the field, having fired about sixty
rounds. Up to this time we had lost only two men
wounded. We regarded our preservation as little less
than q miracle. We had the satisfaction before leaving
the field of noticing that the enemy's battery immedi-
ately before US had ceased firing, our pieces having fired
eight or ten rounds without a reply. As we were lesv-
ing the field to avoid a company Of sharpshOoters who
were thanking US with the intention Of picking of our
cannoneers, one Of the enemy's pieces reoPened, and
about the third shot our commanding officer, Lieut..
Hardin, was struck with e shell, and instantly killed.
We bore him off the field, and rejoined our command
without further loss.
About dark the enemy made another charge on Rob
inson's battery, but it being well supported by infantry,
toe charge was gaIlsntiy repulsed Tbs ended the fight
for the day. The night closed in with a cold wind
from the North, while most Of our poor soldiers had to
lie on the damp and frozen ground without fires.
The Great Battle of Wednesday.
Finding that the enemy seemed i~n6isposed to attack
Us in our position, our generals determined on Tuesday
,.-I4 q. ,c.-,Ft L- -;LA .-;.~ ..-f-- - H. ----a- /
Cleburne's division was detached from our
and transferred to the left, to be ready for the
attack.
The last day Of the dying year daw71ed upol us cold,
clear and beautiful The rising sun dispelled the mists
hung like phantoms along the river banks, tinging
the emeral cedars with gold, and making the frost-clad
fields respIendent with myriads Of miniature diamonds
sre it had risen, the scattering fire Of pickets swell
Ing into the angry crash of opposing ~brigades, and
mingled with the deep laundering of artillery, told US
the action had commenced in earnest on our left.
Sc sudden and impetuoug was the attack Of our troops
under HoCowE and Cleburne, that the enemy steadily
way before them. Brigade after brigade was hur-
led up to reinforce their broken raaks-battery after
battery was placed in position to rake our advancing
roops but vain were their efforts to hurI back the
mighty onward tide, though they fought with despera-
ion worthy a nobler cause.
On, on pressed our gallant boys their enthusiastic
hesrs rising above the din Of battle. About eight
felock Withers' left became engaged and fought IS
albanian and MississippiznskRow how to Aght. They
seconded by brave " old Cheat and his Tennessee
-eterans. About this time Generals Polk and Bragg
along our lines (our brigade Yves still In reserve)
nd were greeted with three hearty cheers. Bragg's
grim old visage was wreathed with smiles as he
to as that we had taken all the enemy's bat.
on our left, and that "Hardee vas driving them
efere him like Sheep
About A. n, Walthrslls Mississippi brigade made
be most desperate charge Of the day They had to pass
trough an open field to attack the enemy in a cedar
in frsRt, while 3 battery on each flank poured a
fire Of canister into their ranks. They
ressed On to within a hundred yards Of the enemys
when they were compelled to fal back before the
errife storm Of lead and iron that swept down half
numbers. The 29ih snd Both Mississippi regiments
Uttered awfully. The Both had sixty four msn killed in
i've minutes At this ju~noture stanfords rife battery
vas ordered roand to the rightto silence one Of the bat
cries that was making such havoc in our ranks. We
Numbered with a hearty good will, poured in a few
ounds rapidly, snd diverted the enemy's fire. Our
-eterans, by this time reinforced, again charged the en-
amy's lines, drove them from the woods, AID took their
batteries
By 10 o'clock the Rghtine WaF general on our left and
senieri and fOrfour or five hours wal Of the most des5er
ts character. The enemy's right wing had been forced
Jack 50 as to form almost a right angle with his center;
'ut here be massed his troops in such numbers a 70
make that point almost invalnerabie. By far the hardest
lighting was done in the center. For hours each army
TODD without giving or taking an inch, while the gropnd
vas being literally covered with the slain.
Atnson we were ordered on a hill to FIRE upon a cole
rife battery that had annoyed cur lines for some
We exclaimed some savagely complimentary
aolS ana then the aforesaid battery thought proper to
axe a better position. About thin time a brigade !,
division being ordered to charge. we accom-.
'aaied it through tia field for four hundred yards, where
We halted and numbered.
Three batteries now opened upon us with a terrible
ire Of shell A number xplodedin the yerv rapksof M
nish'ry' Aiaing and "oundins many. Twas gunner Of
me Of our pieces, and had fred but epee rbsn a can.
ION ball killed two men at my gun. TIE hesd of one
shot Of within a foot Of mine, and his brains mat.
n my face. We remained in stis dangerous place
or half an hour, but without further loss, exeept that Of
everal horses, and a iimber so badly shattered that we !
lad to get another before the gun could be removed.
brigade that had charged wal compelled to fan