The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1864-12-24
tha, on the l4th, in pressing the advantage


gained on the enemy left.
Our own troops were disposed in the fol-
lowing order: Wilson's cavalry on the ex-
treme right, Schoheld's 23d Corps, consisting
of COUGHS and Cox's divisions, at first held
in reserve. but before the main battle opened
had taken position on the left Of the cavalry,
thus forming the right. Our infantry lines,
A. J. Smiths 10th Corps, consisting of the
| divisions of Macarthur. Garrard and Moore
came next on the left of Schcield On the
left of Smith, the magnificent 18th Corps 7.
J. Wood, consisting of the divisions of Kim
ball, Elliott, and Samuel Beatty, was formed
in close order Of battle and partially massed
! Steedman, with CruiLs division and two
( brigades Of colored troops, held the extreme
/ left
At about halfpast o'clock our batteries
! opened from hundred pieces simultaneously y
| along the entire lines. The rebel artillery re-
/ piled fcchlv Schotield, marching down the
/ Grannv White pike, carefully cOuceallng his
strength. placed his corps directly upon the
euemY's left flank Steedman, al TIE same
! time. working his way forward. The enemy
| in the meantime strengthened his advanced
line a55. Ihi7 dSta}"'n1f1 ddssay. IN splendid order Kim
balls first division moved forward to the
! charge, firing volley afer voliey as they rush
Cd t0ward the rebel works. 4 whitening fire
Of musketry and canister made 1hcm wavCr
more than once, but still they pressed on, IN
I'll within hall pistol shot. when the enemy S
fire became SO deadly that oEr men, IN order
10 return it more etiectua!ly, came 10 4 halt.
/ Longer perhaps, than any troops ever remain
Cd in such Il position, they stood and fired i;tst
and rIriously at the enemy, bat they could
not remain there and live. ! few gave way
I and He'd in confusion. The whole line stag
gered. and had the rebels done nothing more
. than keep up their deadly fire. we should have
been driven back but they made move.
ment to shift their artillery, which our men
received as an indication hat they were about
TO abandon their line and retire. Raising d
lOut shout, the division. with fixed bayoucts.
rushed impctuouSiv forward. aud swaruing
over the works, captured such rebels as had
not fed. They had time to .-ct away two
guns. bu: tie rest fell i"to CIR hands.
As soon a. tins preliminary success was
achieved, Gen. Thomas. who was seen during
The oav IL the very front line ot the bGttic, OK
dcrrd a char" along the entire liue Scho-
field move Gpon the r.Chr flank of the enemy.
and before his veterans the rebels gave wav
ike trost-work. The assaI.el flank crG,uhicd
10 pieces as ScAoieil advanced. and VIZ,
I:t 10. va,
49, :.t '. @ -
- -, ''- = 90. sung
go, tg..t ~''a'2.;'.,r 3 ,,'l.,,. me- o,,1s 5- "a va.
I'M, '''i,l - o- '.-s ,.'., -.
If" p 20 ne 'eL, .e1.-. g' mr. pow. ''.
.',I D''''.'..' anu '.',',' =. liis pom. -,
.ns - ''i., ,', e.. ,..'..,' ..'', ~ '.
rs IN -. -'.'...
49,! ,-Il..r. ia''.',r-I r .I,a-ai. i
ever" ,;e"e If ,ioir ar,;l~y i, oyr hands
- = ,i,,l - a.!
- '....1I;,, al - -. III :
- .,., on-,,s ,,l'.lI, ia ,t,. .,.-, =, 49,
hi.
#-a! and Stecim.n on The left, hal now
u. . and Irep'Ted 10 assault tie rebel :. ,ai.
..." vas SUM w.. ''"'A' C''--' ,''sF %. %.