Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-05-27
SUNDAY.


our commanders that the rebels were erect
ing stronger Notifications upon the innumcr.
able hills that rise out of the valley. At half
, past seven in the morning our skirmishers
, opened fire on the rebel line, which was as
i. vigorously returned on the left and left cen
ter. The enemy however, did not seem dis.
, posed to attack with their main line, after
the fearful slaughter and repulse that Hooker
administered to them last night 1t was not
until nine or ten o'clock in the morning that
the Goth corps arrived from the right, and
!; got into position on Stanlcy's left. The 23d
corps was Immediately Withdrawn from the
right Of the line and thrown in on the left
As our line was nearly fourteen miles long,
these necessary changes occupied nearly the
entire morning, so that mid day arrived ere
we were ready to make the
ASSAULT ON TIE ENEMY's WORKS.
Hooker threw forward Butterfield's divis-
ion against tie enemy's strongest position,
supported by Williams and Gcary's divis-
ions, and the battle opened vigorously on
both sides. Hooker fought for three or four
hours and made steady Roadway, carrying
line after line of rifle pits, until Butterfclds
division encountered lunette Of formidable
size. Several attempts were made to carry
it, and capture it's four guns which were
pouring destructive fire into our lines, but
the attempt was futile. The troops Fought
with great desperation, but as often as they
advanced upon the lunette the terrific vol
leys of muskctry from the enemy in the for
LITIGATION hurled them back in confusion. AT
last Butterfield charged forward and took a
position under the protecting works of the
fort so close to the guns within that they
could be touched with the mems hands. In
the effort to gain this unexposed position,
the contest was bloody ono, Geary's divis
ion supporting Butterficld. Wards brigade
which were participating in the first battle,
fought with marked determination, and con-
tributed much to secure the position.
HOOKER CARRIES TIE LuNETTE BY STRATEGY.
After vain efforts to capture the lunette
from which Tic enemy poured into our ranks
grape, canister and shrapnel, Hooker's forces
gave up the unequal contest, and during the
balance of the day lay under the breastworks
protected from the enemy's fire, and picking
oft every rebel who showed himself above
the works. Darkness found him in this po-
sition, and he at once ma:urcd plans for cap
turing the works by strategy, under cover of
darkness. The pioneers were brought up;
the ends dug out of the works, and the guns
drawn out by the aid Of ropes, under DIES.
truct;vc fire from the occupants of the works
who were driven out or captured, as our
troops swarmcd in through the opening in
overwhelming numbers. The guns were four
twelve pound brass pieces; a number of bat
tie flags, including those of the 3Sth and 35th
Alabama, were captured, with over 2CO pris-
oners. Prisoners report General Walthall
(rebeD killed, and Gen. Tucker wounded.
THE LOSSES IN HooKEEs CORPS
were very heavy, especially in the repeated
charges upon the enerny's works Butt.rficld
lost about 800; Geary 100, and Williams
division about $50, making IIookcrs loss
about 100 in the battle of the afternoon. The
23d corps, which was moved around from
the right, as support for Hooker, lost slight
/ ly.
GLORIOUS VICTORY BY HoyEY'S INDIANA
DIVISION.
About o'clock the enemy, learning from
prisoners taken from u.s. that HoveyS Indi-
ara division of raw recruits held posi-
ton in the line, and smarting under their
successive repulses on other portions of the
line, huled heavy force upon lIovey, con.
WINGED that the re .ruits would run. Not so,
however,. The rebels held strong position
in gorge of the hills, and out Of their breast
works they swarmcd in large numbers and
made a furious attack upon the division,
which nobly repulSed them after short and
bloody contest Of fifteen minutes. The as
sault was renewed, when the raw IIoosiers"
charged upon them OH the double quick I'M
der heavy fire Of grape and literally moved
them down. They did not assault the Indi-
anians the third time. TO night the cnconi-
IF thn I,,1a Il
upon llovey's division, who have written
glorious Introductory chapter in their history.
DESPERATE NIGHT BATTLE.
Abou! ten P. NJ. IIookcr's command com.
mcrccd throwing up breastworks to strength.
en- their position, and to cover their move.
mcnts, it was found necessary to advance
their skirmish line. In doing so the Skin.
niShers ran against tie rebel line. Inmedi
ately a heavy artillery and mnsketry fire
opened from both contestants, which lasted
until two O'Clock in the morning. The night
battle was desperate and losses on both sides
heavy, probably three hundred killed and
wounded. At two the rebels were repused
along he whole line; dearening cheer ran
OUT on the night air and all was still save
the piteous means Of the dying, who lay up
on the bloody field, awaiting with anxiety
the early dawn, when they were gathered
into the hospitals and every care bestowed
upon them by our hardworklng surgeons.
MONDAY, MAY 6.
The morning was very bright, but the
whole valley was filed with smoke and fog.
At daylight not gun was heard. Newton
Immediately advanced to feel the enemy, and
discovered that they had disappeared.
TIE RETREAT ACROSS TIE oosTANAuLA.
Immediately upon being informed of the
evacuation Of the valley, General Howard
informed General Sherman, and our lines at
once advanced. 1t was discovered that the
enemy had made good his retreat, carrying
off all his artillery, but destroying his wagon
trains by fire lest they should fall into our
hands have just made tour of the field
on the left, and find it covered with rebel
dead and wounded, all Of whom were left in
our hands for burial and treatment. Prison.
erS, at the hour write, A. NJ, are being
brought in by hundreds The victory is
complete so far, but would have been more
so had
MPHERsoN's CORPS
, been able to cross the river and take posi-.
tion in the rebel rear. MPherson made sew.
eral attempts to throw down the pontoons
and cross his corps, but the enemy poured
such raking fire into his pontoons that the
work had to be abandoned | have no par
ticu'ars of what was accomplished by Nc
fherson's command, but / learn the 18th
corps under Logan lost As killed and AS
wounded. .s
OUR TOTAL LOSSES
are estimated at from 1000 to s, 900 Of whom
fully 1900 are SO slightly wounded in the
hands ard feet that they will be fit for duty
in two or three weeks. The killed will
amount 70 about SEQ, among whom are many
brave officers, who have left behind them