Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-05-13

wick by charging and clearing the ground
bat personal examination Of the ground
showed that it would have been folly TO at
tempt it over the long exposed space by their
artillery. So the interchange of infantry and
artileay were continued till noon, when Sedg-
wick again silenced the enemy, and for the
second time rested upon his arms. Warren
meanwhile, finds point further to the left,
where he thinks the enemy's line vulnerable
and orders an assault by Wadsworths diyi-
sion. The rebel line is here held by A. Hills
corps. The ground is covered with dense
underground. A wavering 6ght RACES, for
three quarters Of an hour. Finally Wads-
worth orders a charge. With loud cheers
from the men, he leads the charge. One horse
is shot from under him; he mounts another, and
but for his untimely fall, we should have been
entirely successful Wadsworth was shot
through the head, killed instantly, and his
body fell into the hands of the enemy.
On the left, where Robinson's division join
ed up to Hancock, an assault was ordered,
and with better hopes Of success. At noon
Sedgwick is 40 longer engaged, and his line
again rests Oh the same ground as on the pre-
vious night.
The enemy now showed disposition 10 re-
new the battle ia the morning. Sedgwick
was in his short line. and our part is done bet
ter than in the former charge. EweIl is forced
back to the second line OF works, where he
makes desperate stand. Warren who was
on Sedgwcks left, endeavOrs 10 assist, but
finds it impossible. At IL o'clock the enemy
press hard on Warren and Sedgwick. and their
heavy guns pouring volley after volley into
our column, especially into Sedgwick's. One
man and three horses were killed within twen-
ty feet of him.
The enemy again come forward with terrif-
ic impetuosity, and, for time, lifted up and
bent back our lines. Stragglers broke back
and the road was soon filled with panic-strick-
en- crowds The story was carried 10 head
quarters that General Hancock's line was bro
ken through. Grant refused TO believe it but
sends re-enforcements He was right in both.
Hancock had bravely and skillfuly rallied his
men, and now, steaded by the advancing sup
ports, pushed forward again. In less than an
hour from their first fierce onslaught, be was
driving the rebels. Several hundred prison
ers were taken, and their loss in killed and
wounded was terrible. By sun set the ac,i.n
was over. Perfect silence reigned a long the
line. We held our ground everywhere, and
all supposed the work over. II might be
briefly reckond up. Everywhere the enemy's
attack had been repulsed but this heavy
massing for attack is the enemy's strongest
game, and it is not ours. The conclusion, then,
was in our favor, and supposing it were on
ly drawn battle, all felt that we could stand
that sort of thing longer than the rebels could.
The troops began preparing for the night.
Dispositions for the watch were made. The
Generals retired to consult for the next days
work. The soldiers composed themselves and
talked cheerfuly Of the chance. Suddenly
amid the darkness, the old and TOO familiar
rebel charging yell was heard ringing out on
the right. 1t was fierce, sudden, resistless
onslaught on Sedgwick's unexpecti5g lines.
The troops had been at work throwing up
hasty intrenchments for the night. iSeymour's,
Shaler's, Neills brigades, thus takensat dis
advantage, gave way. The rest of the corps
bore bravely up, but the extreme right was
turned. Our men fed in the widest confusion,
utterly stampeding. Sedgwick, however, did
his best, and he is stubborn fighter Sey
mours aud Shalers brigade having been bro
ken, he was compelled to draw back his whole
line, bnt the enemy failed to break it, and af-
ter half an hours fierce fighting, abandoned
the attempt. Seymour and Shaler were ta-
ken prisoners, and by nine o'clock silence once |
more regned on the field.