The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-05-21

there was lulI on the right. Los'
heavy on both sides.
Suddenly Leo massed-under cover
Of the words-about ons-third Of his
whole army and fell upon our extreme
left. expecting that the demonstration
on our righ. had drawn our forces there
But Hancock was ready. and received
the foe in gallant style. remaining mas.
ter of the 6eld after two hours hard
fighting.
Then followed q general attack along
tie whois line Of six miles 10 extent.
The rebels had succeeded in planting
cannon that raked Sedgwick's head
quarters. and three horses we're killed in
the center Of his grouped staff within 90
feet Of the general. But Ewell was again
driven back to his second line. where
his men we're protected BY artillery.
Warren wishes 10 assault the rebel
center. but fuds il too strongly posted.
and yields the point; but orders an at
tack forward in the space where his left
unites with Hancock's right.
A. P. Hill commando the rebels op-
posed. and the fight is severe and OBJ
sturate. Our line wavers. and Wads-
worth. whose horse had just been shot
under him. moun.s another and leads
the charge he orders. waving his hat
hsroically at the head Of his mea. Tbs
effec: Was elec,ricsl. and the men sprang
forward to the charge: but just then
their gallant leader fell, and in the con-
sterna,ion that followed the rebels gain
ed temporary advantage. and wads-
worth's body fell into their hands. Our
men. however. held their original posi-.
ton. Heavy assaults were made BY
the foe. and repulsed along the whole
line.
A little before six o'clock 10 the even.
ing. Hancock was ready for . grand
charge: but the enemy anticipated him.
and he had to meet the most fearful
onset Of the day thus far. The enemy
had massed nearly one-half of his entire
army, and fell upon our left with terrific
power, determined to crush Hancock.
The weight Of The charge staggered our
line for . moment. and the strAeglers-
the 6rst yet seen-came in with their
tales Of disaster and ruin. Re-enforce-
ments were sent to Hancock's aid
Grant and Meade we're together. Our
line was reported entirely broken thro'.
Said Graut II don't believe it," He
was right. Hancock recovered from the
FIRST shock and began 10 drive the enc
my. In 40 minutes the rebels we're
repulsed with great slaughter. and We
held some hundreds Of prisoners.
1t was now thought the battle for the
dag was over. Neither army had de-
decided advantage: bu, Lee had failed
in oil his tactics, which had formerly
given him victory.
But the fight was no, ye. over. The
quiet Of the evening twilight was sud-
denly disturbed by hideous yell from
the rebels Is with renewed vigor they
hurled themselves in fury upon Sedg-
wick's wing. At 6rsl is vas presumed
to be . mere night assault to ascertain
our position. bat it proved 70 be the
most desperate attack Of the day. de-
signed to turn our right. On Ssdg-
wick's extreme right lay. the second
brigade under Seymour-,bs old N.lroy
brigade-and near it Sbaler's. Upon
these exposed extremes the enemy came
down like an avalanche, and in ten min
utes cut them Of. Many Of them we're
captured, the rest. in panio. ran mile
to the turnpike in the rear. and report
ed terrible disaster. Grant didn't be-
lievs it. Couriers came in and reported
our lines wavering. and Ssdgwick and
Wight in the front working like heroes
to steady the wavering lines. This
looked ominous. and arti lery was quiet.
y ordered up to proper positions 70
meet any emergency. At 10 O'Clock
word comes from sedgwick. All is
sats-the enemy repulsed. Thus had
our right gained three victories thu, day.
Our losses we're beavy-,he enemy's
equally SO. il not greater. Seymour
and S'aler were taken prisoners. They
are reported as behaving in the brave.t
manner. /
The two armies occupied the re.pee>
i've positions held in the morning, and
our generals expected 10 renew the sght
the next day: bat Lee drew Of his forces
without 6g'.t. and took up the line
rE