Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-06-20
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reached. The llth corps had been ordered 10
advance on the right Of Birney, and moved for
ward 20 take the position assigned them on Br-
ney's flank. Ohe brigade succeeded in getting
up the hill and reported, by it's commander,
! (Wh0se name / have unfortunately LOST, to
Generals Siekles and Birney. The rest Of the
corps met the enemy in force when about two
I thirds Of the distance up. Here they had q
short engagement, IN which It does not appear
that they bad even 50 large a force to contend
against as that which Williams, with his single
! division, bad fought so bravely. Headed by
| their commander, the gallant Howard, the Ger
ulan corps charged boldly up to the rebel lines
I Here they were met, as the rebels slways
Z meet their foe, with shouts Of defiance and de-
risian, determined front and heavy FIRE of
muskeiry. The German regiments returned the
/ FIRE for 9 sh0rb time with spirit. manifesting &
/ disposition to fight valiantly. But at the time
I when al encouragement to the men was need
/ ed that could be given, then some officer OF the
4 division Zone, at least, as 1 am informed) fell
back to the rear, leaving bis men to fight alone
At the same time, Gen. Devens, commanding
/ tho lst division, was unhorsed and badly
wounded in the foot by q lsket ball.
Thus, losing at a critical ioment the inspiring
influence Of the iDme6 e presence of their
commanders the men ran to falter, then TO
/ fall back, and finally broke into q eomplate
rout Gen. Howard boldly threw himself into
the breach and attempted 10 rally the shattered
columns; but his efforts were perfectly futile.
The men were panic-stricken, and no power on
earth could rally them in the face Of the enemy.
Information Of the catastrophe was promptly
communicated 10 Gen. Siekles, who thus had a
moment given him 70 prepare for the shock he
instantly apprebendsd his column must suffer
The high land Of the little farm thst formed the
base OF his operations wss packed full Of artil-
lery and cavalry, nearly al the artillery Of the
third corps, together with PleaSsnton's cavalry,
being crowded into that little ffty-scre enelo-
sure. But Siekles was not to be thrown off his
guard BY a trife, and anything short Of a COM
plste defeat seemed to be considered by him in
the light Of a trife With the eoolnsss and
sklfulness OF veteran Of hundred csmpsigus
he set 10 work making his dispositions He had
not single regiment within his reach to sup
port bis artillery Whipple WAS falling back,
and must inset the approaching stampede with
bis own tOrce in retreat Birney was far eut in
the advances in imminent danger Of being com
pietsly surrounded and RRnihilated; the rebel
forces were pressing hard upon the flying Ger
mans, who could only escape by rushing across
bis lines, with every prospect Of communicating
the panic to them.
Il was critical moment indeed, aud one that
might well stagger even the bTayest hearted
Bot it did net stsgger the citizen soldier Call
ing to one after another Of his staff he sent them
all OF, one after the other, lest any should fail
Of getting through to warn Brney of his danger
and order him to fall back. Then, turning to
GsR. Plesssnton, he directed him to take change
Of the artillery, and train it all upon the woods
encireling the field, and support it with ! cav
airy, TO hold the rebels in check should they
come on him, and himself dashed of to
meet Whipple, then Just emerging from the
woods in the bottom land. He had scarcely
turned his horse about when the fiying Germans
came dsshing over the field 10 crowds, meeting
The head of Whipples column aad stampeding
through the lines, running as only men do run
when convinced that sure destruction is awsit-
ing them At the same moment large masses Of
the rebel infantry came dashing through the
woods on the north and west close On 20 the
6eld, and opened tremendous fire Of mnsketry
into the confused mass of men and animals. To
add to the confusion and terror )f the occasion,
night vas rapidly appTosching, aud darkness
was already beginning to obscure all things.
PANIC
must frankly confess that I have no ability
TO do justice to the ssne that followed. Il was
my lot % be in the center Of that field when the
psnie burst RBon Us May never be witness
TO another such scene. On one hand was
solid column Of infantry retreating at double
quick froC the face Of the enemy, who were
already crowding their rear on the other was
dense mass Of beings who had lost their rea-
soniug faculties, and were flying from thou
sand ianeied dangers as well as from the real
danger that crowded so close upon them, sggra-
waiting the fssrfulness of their situation By the
very precipitancy with which they were seek
ing to esespe from it. On the hill were ten
thousand Of the enemy, pouring their murder
Gus volleys in upon US, yelling and hoOting, 70
increase the alarm and confusion; hundreds Of
cavalry horses, left riderless at tie FIRST dis
charge from the rebels, were dsshing frRntically
about in al directions a score Of batteries Of
artillery were thrown into disorder, some prop
erly manned, seeking to gain positions for sfse-
tive duty, and others flying from tho field bat
terry wagons, Enbulances, horses, men, canROIl,
caissons, all iumbled and tnmblsd together in
an apparently insxtricsble mass, and that mur-
der0us fire still pouring in upon them. To add
90 the terror Of the occasion, there was but one
means Of escape from the field and that through
g little narrow neck or TAyine washed out by
Sc0tt's creek.
Toward this the confused mass plunged head
long. For momen i seemed IS if no power
could avert the frightfUl calamity that threst-
eued the entire grmy. That neck passed, and
this panic stricken, disordered body Of men and
animals, permitted 70 pass down through the
other corps Of the army, our destruction was
sure Across this neck there runs a strsug brick
wall behind which the forces Of Generals Will
liams and Berry had already thrown them
selves preparatory to meeting the enemy. At
the upper end of the wall was a narrow gate
way, toe only opening to BE- found. To this
point General Sekles picked his way, and there,
drawing his sword, blocked the passage with
himself and horse. On came the pauic-stricken
crowd, terrified artillery riders spuring and lash
ing their horses to their utmost rideress hsrses
dashiug along regardless Of all obstacles an
/ balances upsesting and being dashed to pieces
against trees and stumps men flying and cry
ing with alsrm-a perfect torrent Of passion,
apparently uncomfortable. Bat against it all
the brave general threw himself. aud By his de-
teTmined bravery brought the FIRST heavy mass
Ia connon drawn by ak horses, well mounted
| TO htlt, and blockadei the passage. Once
halted, reason began to return 10 those Whs had
/ prsyi0 sly lost il, aud much Of the artillery,
/ properly manned, wss quickly brought back
upon the field.
PLEAsASTON CHECKS TEE REBELS.
In the mesntime Pleasanton, in obedisncs to
the orders received from Cen. Sickles, had mus
tered two or three Of the batteries aud was bus
I ily employed pouring grape and canister izto
the woods that were SLED with the rebels. Il
was sufficient 10 know that the enemy was held
/ in check, ard Sicklss' gallant csrps had al op-
portunity to rally from tho disastrous effects OF
/ the shameful stampede Of the llth corps.
END OF THE PANIC.
| Let me here finish with the eleventh corps.
They did not su ay across Sicklts' line. They
dispersed aud ran in al directions, regardless Of
| the order Of their going. They al seemed pos
I sessed with an instructive idea Of she shortest
/ ara most direct line from the point whence they
/ started 70 the United States ford, and the ma
1 iority Of them did not stop until they had
/ reached the f0rd- Many Of than, on reaching
tbs -rver, dashed in and swan TO tha aBOfth side,
snI are supposed to be running Jet As soon
\ a. General Hooker heard Of ths panic ne ssiab.
I 6shsd Z iine of guards ACROSS the roads and
stopped all who we're to be seen upon the high
/ ways; but BY far the greater portion never
/ thought Of the roads, but dashed on through the
woods until they reached the river. It was no
worse with priyates than with officers. The
stampede WAS universal; the disgrace general
The fugitives were picked up the next day,