Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-12-22

deception, Steadman commenced to skir.
mish heavily on our left, and as our force
moved In the direction OF the point threat.
ened, and while they we're massipg troops
on their right, We were concentrating the
10th and 2Sd corps and Gen. Wilson's cav.
airy on our right. u N.sl
The results were that when the buslss
sounded an advance, our right wing advap.
ced rapidly between the rebel left and the
Cumberland river, completely doubling up
the rebel division which the rebels had post
cd to blockade the river.
A battery was taken by our forces and
sent to the rear.
The rebels had by this time perceived
that our attack 6h their right was fe Mt.
Hood soon attempted to atone for his frat
fdur pcs, but it was too late. Our right
had established themselves on the main
bank, and were steadily advancing.
The whole 23d Corps had taken position
on the extreme right and A. j. Smiths
Corps was executing half wheel, driving
the columns of rebels before them easily and
RAPIDLY The bill was taken with little loss.
The rebels presented strong front aud our
progress was for the moment checked, and
1t was now visible that the contest was about
to commence in another direction.
Our left was made to march our right
to get into position and strengthen them
selves so as to be ready for a charge. In
front of the 4th Corps. and about one mile
beyond Acklin, the rebels had strong line
Of works, defended by heavy lines of skir-
mishers, and Gen. Wool ordered charge
upon it. The word forward" was shouted
by brigade, division and regiment com.
manders, and with promptness and decision
the men leaned over the breastworks and
advanced. In less than twenty minutes our
forces had possession of the rebel works,
and tho banners of the 4th Corps were
planted on them
Our mon flushed with victory, without or
ders pushed forward and had nearly reach
ed the second line of rebel works, when
they were only recalled by the most strenu-
Gus exertions, and had captured sixty pris-
oners, which, with those taken in the rebel
intrenchmcnts, amounted to over 100. The
second line of rebelintrenchments were now
in sight, located on a range of hills, one
mile from the skirmish line, and had been
built with great skill Some time elapsed
ere our men we're got into position. Our
cavalry had advanced, meanwhile, until its
right rested on hills six miles beyond Nash.
vile -.'
Moving from the river it had room to
maneuver without difficulty. Instead OF
facing to the West it now faced directly
South; the two corps of Schofeld and Smith
were in position directly parable on the left.
s., Skirmishers all along the lines having been
advanced to Hillsboro pike. sheltering them.
selves behind fences on the North side,
with the 4th Corps was formed at right
angles in front of the division lying directly
across Hillshoro' pike. the remainder being
to the left of that While these movements
were 20 ng on, and our lines were being
formed, batteries placed, &c. the rebels
could be distinctly seen moving 10 the lefi
Hank toward uillsboro' pike. with view
to prevent our turning their left flank As
far as eould be ascertsined by observation
their entire reserve was thrown in front 0i
our right and center. In the meantime oul
commanders sent re-enforc, ments equally
strong to our posts menaced by the rebels
to coDfrant them.
At halfpast three all was roady for the
charge on the second line of rebel works -
The position was strong one. to reach
elevation Of fifteen degrees without any pro
lection. Our lines were four columns deep
with ample reserves Our forces were mass
ed against the rebel lines, and the veteran
columns were hurled against the rebels with
irresistible force, and at ten minutes before
five P. NJ. the charge commenced.
The lst and I'd divisions Of the 4th corn.
were massed to the West, aud the ad div
sion at right angles with it, moving South.
On its right was the corps of A j. Smith.
The lst and I'd divisions had the hardest
task to perform. being in a more exposed
position, and the rebel works in their from,
being stronger and more formidable than
; elsewhere. Under heavy fire of grape
canister and musketry, our men moved
steadily forward but owing to the rebel.
firing too high, it mostly passed over them
otherwise the slaughter would have beer
terrible. Some of our men were killed, bu,
the list of casualties was less than could be
expected. After advancing within $50 yards
OF their works, their fire was severest.
Our troops never wavered, but with .
shout. as the long lines ranging along the
Hillsboro' pike came in full view, they again
advanced, and were almost Immediately up
on tho intrenchments. The distance yet tc
be passed did not exceed ia yards. Re.
endorsements were in sight comiag up, yet
the rebels evinced no sign O.! retiring, and
discharged volley after volley into our rank.
at distance Of % yards. A part of ou,
men had reached the works and were using
the hayonet. Some few rebeIs fled, who
were followed by Others when soon all broke
and fed in the widest confusion. Four I2
pounder Napoleon guns their artillerists at.
tempted to secure, but only succeeded in
getting one off the field. We secured three
and two caissons, with large lot of small
arms.
We captured in this charge about 40C
prisoners. The prisoners report that Hood
told them they could hold their position
against any Yankee force which could be
brought against them. Our losses in the
charge did not exceed 100 killed and woun-
ded
Smiths and Schofeld's corps had in the
meantime. advanced half mile to the South
OF the Hillsboro' pike capturing there a
whole battery Of six guns 1t was captured
by the 18th Ohio.
On our extreme left We captured eight
guns and several battle flags were also ta-
ken. The rebel loss in killed and wounded
is not less than 600. while ours is not less
than 300. They have taken up a second
line, and may defend it tomorrow if they
do not retreat tonight. ..g
One OF the most gallant charges made
to-day was made by the llth, l2th, IAN
l4th, 18th, and lllth colored regiments an
Rains Hill, near Nelansville pike. which
utterly routed the rebel line. 0"