Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-05-19

fnassOe nBntus M 30 Oiteu oCfoiOg IN
one solid body against his line. and was
striving as never before to break through,
but the line still held.
Fresh troops came up, and went straight
into the fight, AMI brigade after brigade
opened its thick volleys. 1t seemed as if
the rebels must desist from their attack,
but still they persevcred, On line OF not
more than mile the struggle went on for
three hours. Not less than twenty thou.
sand men were massed agaist the extreme
left wing. 1t was impossible to use ar
iillery on either side. and equally impossi-
Bile to manouver. The fight was all mus
kerry, aud it was long before any
ground was gained or l,st. Early in
this action Alexander Hays brig.
ade had become hotly engaged. and Gen
Hays had sent back for reinforcements
Hancock answered. "You shall have them
in twenty miautes." but before the time
had passed Gen. Hays was killed. and was
carried to the rear. by and by the rebe
muskerry became heavier. and on our si6e
the line began TO waver. the wounded men
were being fast carried to the rear. and
from the front comes the gloomy repor,
that the ammunition is giving out. Fresh
supplies are sent forward. but arrive toe
late to prevent the linc'irom going little
back.
Where we stand the bullets begin "a
drop faster and the sound Of the volleys j.
close. Hancock goes forward and hold,
bis men in hand. Along all tho front g
new line is formed. and as if new couAge
came with the sight OF their general, the
men stand fast. The rebel advance is once
more checked, but Hanco.k know,
now that in this short half mile of battle
he has put oil his mcn-all the second
corps. Warren and sedgwick. where ar.
they? Coming mp fast. il the answer. iol
the cry of battle is reached. md Meade ha,
ordered both corps forward. 1t is A. p
Hill whom Hancock is fighting. and q.
Hill threatened to take him in the flank,
his own flank is now threatened by tn,
steady marching forward Of the center un
der Warren. Warren will perhaps dc
better than merely reinforce Hancock
will fall on Hill. and force him to look to
his own defense. Blu. Hill sees his dan
ger, and grows cautious. The frmness oil
his attack subsidies. Hancock sends wore
that he can hold ground now. and the dan
ger is over.
1t is almost 9 o'clock. So obstinately
has the rebel onslaught been pushed. tha
even as the darkness closed over the tive
enemies, the fighting ebbea but slowly
Volley after volley crashed along the lin,
till at last. with the bitter knowledge tha
bis efforts had failed. and that his chanc,
of victory had been wrested from his
hands. the rebel leader sullenly drew oil
He was not permitted to escape uuha rmeJ
Wadswor,h's division of Warren's corps
went forward to the attack. and in its turr
was confronted with portion Of Ewell',
corps. and the action on the right OF Han
cocks corps became also as hot as it hat
been on the left.
The 81 Division, Gen. Robinson. moved
up. and taking the place Of Gen. Griffin's
whose ammunition was exhausted. renew
ed the fight and closed up the threatened
gap between the 9th and I'd Corps, ant
finally Scdgwick sent forward his first di
vision under Wright, and in darkness:
in which the attack Of the enemy wa
dying away. charged furiousiy q
gainst the receding columns. Had day
light been left. it seemed IS If the repulst
Of tho enemy would have turned into ar
overwhelming defeat. In spite of ever,
disadvantage our men fought every ywher
with unequalel steadiness and courage. an,
held fna:ly all the ground which they has
attempted to cover in the beginning. Bu
along days march aud the night made j
i'm possible to push their advantage. Th'
first days battle was over. 1t was fought
not by any wish Of Grant or Meade
Their forces were only in such position a
to allow them to come slowly and will
difficulty into battle. A misfortune wa.
unavoidable in such q movement. but tn
danger was past and the foiling OF Lee'l
attack was complete. The losses are i'm
perfectly ascertaiDel, but probably do no
exceed on our side over four thousand mel
killed aud wounded. We have takel
many prisoners and lost few. There wa
no loss of guns on either side. for slmos
none were brought into action.
Tomorrow friday the battle must re
commence. and will be fought with ou
whole strength.