The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-09-24
Losses Heavy on Both Sides.
The Prospect Considered Favorable.
BATTLEFIELD.THREE MILES
FROM CRAwFIsH SPRINGS, Ga,
Sept. 19, 1868.

Il ROM ORAWFlSH OPRlNGS, Va,
Sept. 19, 1868. }
This morning, about eleven o'clock,
the battle was opened by the advance
Of Buckner, strengthened by Nicker-
sons brigade, from Joe. Johnstons ar
my. The fight commenced in the vi
cinity of Widow Glenns, on the road
leading from McLemore's Cave to Chat
tanooga.
The ferceness of the assault, together
with the Meager display Of our force
on the right-which, however, was al
so attacked by way Of diversion-led
the General to believe that the enemy
contemplated to attract attention on
our right, while he hurled an over
whelmning force against our left, turn
ing it, and cutting off our communica-
ton with Chattanooga.
The rebel programme was fully un-
derstood last night, and from dark un-
til daylight troops were continually in
motion, being shifted to meet the emer-
gcncy. The blow fell where it was eX-
pected.
The enemy, who anticipated an ea-
sy victory, was completely foiled. In
stead of the 21st Army Corps, (Critten-
den's, } atone, the confident and exult-
ing forces of the enemy, including the
choice troops of Longstrect, found the
corps of Gen. Thomas, and, in addition,
Davis division, from McCook's corps,
drawn up to meet them.
The attack was a fierce and bloody
one. Gen. Jeff. G. Davis had scarcely
moved his division into position, when
the enemy came dashing at him.
At II A. NJ, the battle became gen
cral, the enemy maneuvcring their
troops finely, relieving the exhaust, d
ones by perfect streams of men.
Early in the action, an impetuous
charge by the rebels, toward the IA
nous Loomis Battery, was successful,
and five out of six Parrot guns were
captured Capt. Van Pelt, command
ing the battery, was taken prisoner,
At two o'clock and ten minutes, the
contest became truly terrific. Those
who witnessed and engaged in the
Stone River fight, say that the roll OF
muskctry here was far more continu-
GUS and deafening than then.
At two o'clock and forty minutes, q
division on the center, hard pushed by
rebel reintorcemcnts, was broken, and
retreatcd in disorder toward the pike
Colonel Barnett planted a battery, by
direction of the General, and soor
checked the pursuing enemy, who, in
turn, were driven in disorder, over tho
same ground.
Davis was driven back, with heavy
loss, and every gun of his 18th India
na) battery captured by the enemy
Again he rallied, pushed the enemy
back, and retook his artillery.
General Reynolds lost heavily, bu'
stubbornly held his position, driving
the enemy, but never leaving his line
Palmer, who was overwhelmed, failet
to get off his whole battery, and TIVE
guns were lost Van Cleve, fighting
gallantly, lost ground, and, overpow
cred, failed to regain his position.
Our line, pressed severely, wavercd
the rebels, oxulting over apparent sue
cess, made the air resound with cheers
They advanced along the whole line
when q whitening fire of musketry roll
cd with alternating swell and lull from
right to left
From ESQ P. M. to 5 the fight wa
terrific. The General grew anxious
and the impression was current tha
the musketry, in point of incessan
fierccness, exceeded any thing he eve
heard.
The wounded pour in, and the reb
els steadily move up near his head
quarters. New forces were opposed II
! them, and from this time until dark th
battle ragged with destructive fury.
We have captured several hundred
prisoners most of whom are from tn
East. At dusk, the firing had almos
ceased, the enemy threw forward fresf
troops, and again engaged our right
The action became general, and unit
long after dark ragged with fury.
The battle thus far is bloody one
Our losses are very heavy, and priso
ners say that some of their regiment
were almost annihilated. Both armie
occupy the same ground as when tn
action began this morning.
THE BATTLE OF SUNDAY.