Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-07-08

Oh tie main road to Dallas. All went smooth
ly on until . o'clock p. m, when General
Williams received an order to face his Divis-
ion about and move at once to the support OF
Geary who had encountered the enemy and
become dangerously engaged. The head Of
the column was by this time within Eve miles
Of Dallas. The command promptly turned
about and taking by-path reached Geary's
lines at AZ p. m. Gen. Hooker ordered Gen.
Williams to Immediately prepare to attack
the enemy, directing that the Division push
the rebels back about two miles and take and
hold point which it was important should be
at once brought iut0 our possession. Gen.
Williams formed his Division into three lines
"a brigade in each-and the Sd, (Col Rob-
inssn's,) leading. The 61st Ohio Veterans
was dePloyed as RkirmisheTs and at once re-
lieved the skirmishers of Geary. The troops
being formed stood waiting the signal to ad-
vance. 1t was a thrilling msment Those
brave men were about to open the tragedy of
battle. Upon them were the eyes of their
loved commauder-the calm, intrepid Hooker,
the sober, earnest gaze Of Thomas, the
steady and determined glance Of Williams
Freemen, patriots, standing quietly at their
muSksts waiting for the call to go forward and
do or die in defense of the holiest trust ever
committed to patriot keeping, g,-holdina in
their hands the rights and destinies of man.
bearing in their beating hearts the hopes and
purposes Of natiOn,--there was something
sublime in their 6rm, quiet bearing betokening
a manhood adequate to the emergency, a SOL
emn and fixed determination that duty must
at ell hazards be done.
The final orders and instructions having
been hurriedly given, the buglo sounded the
advance, the line moved forward through the
thick forest, and the roar Of battle at once be-
gan. The enemy fell back stubbornly, leaving
some prisoners 10 our hands. But there was
no hesi tation,-not the slightest Wavering on
the part of Williams' veterans. On went the
steady line until about three-quarters of a
mile had been gained, when the Ammunitiop
running low Gen. Ruger's brigade was order
ed to relieve Robinson's, which now retired to
the rear with the calmness and order of drill.
Gen. Hooker, who was present from the be-
ginning of the 6ght, complimented them upon
the ground, declaring that its conduct was
splendid" Gen. Rugsr's troops now pressed
the enemy OHe-half mile farther when the reb-
ell artillery opened upon the line with shells
and canister, and the battle became bloody
and obstinate. The fight continued without
intermissiOn until 81 p. m. when Col. Rob
insons brigade was ordered to go again to the
frent. This order was obeyed with alacrity
and the men who had opened the battle had
she satisfaction of closing it. Arriving upon
the line they Immediately re-opened their FIRE
The enemy's artillery made fearful havoc
among them, but not one inch would those de,
voted men yield. They remained firmly in
their position until all their ammunition wal
gone. They then searched the cartridge box
es of the wounded and dead and thus managed
to keep up the fire until the battle was ended
by the darkness of night which slowly settled
upon that mountain forest.
Thus closed the first days fighting south
of the EtoWah. 1t was sanguinsry contest
as the losses attest. The Sd Brigade lost 81
killed and 200 wounded. The entire Division
behaved with great credit and seems to have
convinced our Western felOw-soldiers that mer
from the Potomac Army will fight.
A. T. SEoHAND.