Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-06
southern Aeeount OF the Assault upon
Knoxyilie.

Z hhoNYtuo.
A correspondent Of the Augusta Constitution.
ella writes an interesting description OF the
charge OF the Confederate troops upon the
enemy's works at Knoxville u will be seen
that this account reflects great credit upon
General Burnside and his gallant army:
To the left Of Knoxville, on a high hill, Is
large dirt fort, mounting six guns, which COM
niands all approaches TO 1t for more than mile.
In Its front and TANKS was once thick helo of
pine, which were cut down by the enemy, the
tops falling In all directions, making q mass
OF brush and timber almost impassable. In
addition TO this they had wires netted all around
their works, and ditch from four 10 six feet
deep, corresponding with the regularity or the
ground, the extreme slope Of the parapet waIl
milking an acute angle with the fall Of the
ditch. Immediately In their front, for two or
three hundred yards, all brush and rubbish was
removed, In order that their grape and cannis-
ter might have clear sweep al any at stacking
column. This fort, Bryan's, Humphreys, and
part of wofTord's brigades were ordered to as
sault at daylight on the morning OF the Goth OF
November. .. u. 90. "
Through this rugged field of obstacles, be-
fore day, Bryan's brigade felt Its way, with
many fall and many bruise, yet quietly, un-
complainlngly, the men followed the dark
figure Of their leader guiding us through the
gloom, to the line Of sharp-shooters stationed
at the edge OF the clearing. Here the command
rested, waiting daylight. Each man pressed
his cap more firmly down upon his brow, and,
with lips compressed and steadfast eye, waited
for word TO move, while Generals Bryan and
Humphrey glided noiselessly through their
| commands, carefully examining the ground be-
| fore them. ..a oar
All was quiet as the grave. Suddenly the
| stiffness was broken by the sharp crack Of q
Mimic rife, when "Up boys, chargen was
given by our commanders. The brave fellows,
| springing up with shout, on they pressed to
i the fort through a murderous fire of shot and
shell. Owing TO a rain on the day before, and
frost on the night Of the attack, the earth would
| give way from under our gallant men ~ they
| climbed upon the shoulders Of each other, en-
deayoring TO reach the parapet, and down they
would tumble into the ditch.
Hand grenade after hand grenade were
Il thrown upon them, and VT they still remained
climbing and falling for over half an hour,
while the air sparkled with whlstllng fuses and
incessant rolls OF musketry from the walls.
When, finding all attempts 10 scale the sides Of
the fort impossible, (only one man, sergt. Maj.
Bailey, of the Fifticth Georgia, reaching the
top, he, poor fellow, was killed Immediately, }
We slowly withdrew under terrible fire from
the enemy. H Ed.
i 1t was sight long to be remembered to sec
General Bryan at the head of the column, lead
ing and cheering his men, giving orders In q
calm and self-possessed tone. Indeed, ht
seemed 10 bear a charmed life. While hun.
dreds around him were killed and wounded, he
was untouched, and when the assault failed
walked away crying "Rally, boys, rally, we art
not whipped, we could not climb the fort, that's
anl" Tbs men oil stopped at his command,
and pressing forward TO shake hands In CRATE
full delight OF his safety. One of his colonies
J scolded him severely for exposing himself so
recklessly. .sH-. ....,,f. =,