Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-07-27
The BATTLE OF PEACH Tree CREEK.
Gen. Hooker's Great Victory
ONE OF THE MOST TERRIBLE CON.
FLICTs OF THE WAR
The Rebels whipped In a Hsnd.to-Hsnd
Fight.

We copy the following from special die
patch to the Pittsburg Gdz,tie, dated Nashville,
July "a:
On the morning Of the Goth, Hooker crossed
the creek (Peach Tree Creek) 10 the left Of
Palmer's corps, and took position on some
low ground along the stream without fortifying.
Still further TO the left, Newton's division, of
Howard's corps, had crossed and moved out
of the bottom and on higher ground, upon a
portion of the same ridge before spoken of as
extending all along the south side of the creek,
and was occupied by the rebels. Immediately
upon advancing to this position, Newton's
men commenced fortifylng. They were still
engaged in this work, when, about 81 p. m,
they were assaled with desperate energy by
Bates and Walkers divisions OF Hardee's
corps. The rebels came up in some places in
two lines, and at some In three lines, and, In
spite Of the most fearful losses, advanced re-
peatedly TO within two or three rods Of our
lines.
Kimball's brigade was on the right OF the di.
vision, and for q moment seemed to falter, but
fresh troops were speedily hurried up, and
from Klmball's right along Blake's front to
Bradley's extreme left, the entire division stood
as firm as rock the storm which had struck
Newton SO fercely and rolled over toward
Hooker's corps. Gen. Wards division held
the left of the corps, Geary's the centre, and
Williams the right.
The advance Of the rebel skirmishers to-
wards Hooker's lines indicated their intention
to attack his troops. In anticipation of the
same they were moved speedily forward from
the low ground along the creek to higher
ground. In front Of this high ground they
were In line with Newton's division on the left,
and Johnston's division, Of Palmer's corps, on
the right.
Just as they had reached the crest of the
ridge, with considerable stretch Of open
ground in front, they were met by the rebel
battalions, composed of Stewards and part OF
Hoods old corps, also advancing hastily, three
lines deep, from the woods beyond the open
ground. For the first time in the campaign, a
fight took place with neither party behind their
works. Almost the whole of HoOker's corps
was struck simultaneously, although as the
wave Of battle rolled from left to right, Wards
division was engaged minute or two sooner
than the others. Face to face the Combatants
stood, firing deadly volleys into each others
bosoms. At times the lines were not more than
fifteen feet apart In Col RSnsum's front, and
hand.to.hand conflicts actually took place, in
which officers as well as men were engaged.
On Col. COleman's front they met each other
SO furinusly that they passed oVer beyond each
| othcr, and each changed mC.r front 10 rCHep the
conflict. from Woods extreme lcH 10 HdrriSon's
| right. Wards whole line, except two regi-
ments, was in the front line, and furiously en-
gagged. Gesry was involved In a moment after
wards, and Williams simultaneously with
| Ge4ry.
If the left OF Gcsry wsvered for a moment
under the first rude shock, 1t was only to illus
trate discipline and excellence, for they in-
stantly rallied, reformed their line and fought
with redoubled yigor. Gen. Williams line
also gloriously distinguished itself. Knipe's
brigade, composed exclusively of Eastern
| troops, contended in patriotic and glorious
rivalry with Col. Robinson's, which are nearly
all Western, while Rceger's, made up from
both sections, did its duty as well. The gal
liant McGrarly, of the 6lst Ohio, received one
more wound in addition to his previous numer-
Gus wounds, and will probably lose an arm.
From Williams division the attack extended
| to the left of Johnson's division OF Palmer's
corps. General McCook was then posted In
command of General Custar's brigade. One
of his regiments gave way temporarily, but his
skillful dispositions enabled him to rally 1t al
most Immediately, and the entire brigade COW
cred both itself and its leader with unimpeach.
able, noble honor.
! Along such portions of our lines as have
mentioned had been naAsed for this attack at
least one half of the rebel army. By nightfall
this entire host was utterly discounted. II had
failed to break our lines at a single point, and
retired in disorder, leaving Its dead by hundreds
on the field.
Thus ended this sanguinSry conflict. No
more brilliant victory has crowned the Union
arms since the beginning of the war. Gen.
Hooker has earned new gratitude of the ma
tion. Palmer, Newton, Ward, Williams, Geary
and their subordinstes and soldiers, cannot be
too highly praised. Gen. Johnston was as
faithful here as everywhere else.
Our loss will not amount to 1000 men, prin-
cipally on Hooker's front, because his troops
fought in the open field. The rebel loss in
killed, wounded and prisoners will reach 5000,
of whom fully /, 900 were killed outright. Three
rebel Brigadier Generals were killed-stephen.
son, Werltslone and Long.