Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-08-12

! lue Itne OF Oatlle. Williams DIVISION held the
right of the line, Gearys the centre and
Wards the left. Between Geary and Will
ams lay deep, woody hollow which occa-
sioued vacancy in the line and was covered
only by the picket.
| Thus matters continued until noon. There
was comparatively little firing in front and so
far as human sagacity could determine every
1 thing seemed to be going on we'll. Thomas
usually serious countenance wore the light OF
a smile and Hooker's fine features indicated
Rothing within to vex their wonted impertur-
liability. Williams chatted and laughed with
as much unconeern as if the cares of war were
not worth minding, while Geary, so ordinarily
restless and active seemed for the nonca to
have but little TO disturb him. But this was
not to last. Errly in the afternoon the enemy
began to grow restive suddenly, about 2
O'Clock p. M, heavy discharge of musketry
was heard on the left of Williams. In mo-
meLt more the storm began to burst along
Williams front and every one sprang instinct
lively to his feet The portend of the firing
was unmistakeable,-th enemy was advancing
| Whlz, 1UtLz came the bullets directly over the
ridge where the lst Division lay grouped in
the woods. Gen. Williams Immediately order
ed his Brigades into position. Robinson's
started on the double quick along the crest of
the ridge and had hardly formed it's line of
battle until the enemy in heavy masses came
sweeping down upon it, having taken advan-
tage OF the hollow previously named 10 mask
his movement. The Ist Brigade quickly
formed on the right of Robiason's and also
became Immediately engaged. The battle now
rR0 Jndn SNokl Tl@ks .
men became mingled with the enemy in an al
most hand to hand conflict and captured sever
al prisoners, The rebels seemed determined to
break the line and at all hazards capture the
bill. Could they accomplish this they would
possess themselves of the key to the whole po
sltion and probably infict opon US an ire
trieVable disaster. But in vain did the rebel
masses surge against Gen. Williams lines
Though the Carnage was awful and the ground
became strewn with the bleeding forms of
| scores OIL brave men, yet not one inch was
yielded 10 the enemy. Perhaps not in the
annals OF this war has been seen more terri
Oily sublime spectacle than that prese nted by
Williams brave Division in the hight of this
contiict. 1t is impossible to describe it, No
tongue, no pencil is adequate to the task. He
aud the awful sOlemnily of such an occasion
can properly appreciate it. There is much,
alas. too much about it that the heart sick
ems TO think or tell of. 10 see the forms and
faces you love streaming with blood and stag
| gering III the dizzy reel Of death,-to see the
mOiiOn!ess limbs and CLASSY eyes of those whom
you so lately met in lusty life,-to hear the
heart-rending call for help from those whom it
is beyond your power to assist-to feel amid
all this that the next moment you too may be
alike slain or heIpless-O, it is a terrible or
deal. The stoutest heart need not be asham-
ed to acknowledge this, and be who has grown
so unteeling as not to appreciate it needs to be
pitied.
The enemy was finally compelled 10 with
draw short distance into the timber which
movement abated but did not end the battle
1t continued to rage until the slanting beams
of the setting sun shot redly through the bat
tie smoke and finally withdrawing from scene
SO dreadful, disappeared behind the western ho-
rzon. Then it ceased, for the enemy, repuls-
ed at all points, withdrew to his entertainments
Our troops at once threw up a short line of
defensive works and then slept upon their
arms.
The enemy still remains in front Of US in
large force, though he has not ventured again
to precipitate himself against the veterans of
Pap Williams" Division, and it is not likely
that he will. His loss in the attack of yester-
day was very great and the woods were strewn
with his dead and wounded. Polk's aud Har-
dee's Corps seem TO have been chiefly engaged
10 the attack on Hooker. There seems to be
littIa douht tbat Tobnson hos haan roIiavoJ
from the chief command and that the rebel
army is now commanded by Hood.
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