Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-09-26

neutralized by the delay which afforded |
the enemy time 70 concentrate his army in |
the forenoon), everything was yet to begin
and to be gained. No one who glanced at
the spectacle Of confidence and strength, !
disposed for miles nj, ny the country with
in view, could feel his heart throb with
serious doubt.
THIS ATTACK.
The attack was commenced atatwenty
minutes before twelve. The Second (Gen.
Gsttys) and the Third General Rickett's)
divisions of the Sixth corps, joined in the
advance the First General Russellls) di-
vision being held in reserve. The Nine
-teenth corps, including both divisions, un-
der Generals Grover and Dwight advsnc-
ed entire. @ Hrt 1.
Our forces advanced, forcing terrible
fire of cannon and musketry, equal to that
in the dercest struggles of the war.
A REPULsE.
But our advance was irregular, General
Berge's Brigade pushing forward SO impet-
uously as almost to Isolate itself, and, on its
flank being threatened by a charge Of the
enemy, was forced to retire, thus throwing
the entire left of the division Growers of
the 10Th Corps) into disorder. - - :
The enemy, from battery hitherto un-
covered, opened at this time on our flying
troops, following up their advantage
Their shells, descending among the broken
columns of Grover, demorslized and shat
tered them still more. The entire infantry
line of the enemy, recovering its courage
at the sight, charged In turn, pouring in
severe and rapid volleys towards the point
of breakage. Their troops sill advanced
at q double-Qufck, firing and fling past
and almost turning the right flank of the
Sixth corps, led by General Ricketts, divfs-
ion, in their pursuit Of Growers infantry
The moment was fearful one. Such
sight rarely occurs,m more than once in any
battle as was presented on the open space
between two pieces of woodland, into
which the cheering enemy poured, in their
eagerness Their whole line, reckless
of bullets, reckless even of the shells
of our batteries, constantly advanced.
Captain Stevens battery, posted imme-
diately in their front, poured its ire un-
fiDehingly into their columns to the last.
A staff officer, riding up, warned it to the
centre to save it from capture. Colonel
Tompkins, in command of the artillery of
the Sixth corps, sat upon his horse with a
| loaded revolver close beside the battery,
and ordered It not to move. 1t did not
move. The men of the battery, loading
and firing with the precision Of field
day, kept It to work on the face of the foe,
who advanced at least within two hundred
yards of..the muzzles of our guns. General
| Ricketts, division, pressed heavily in the
flank, gradually broke and commenced
| falling back. General Getty's division on
the left partly fell back likewise. The
day, had such situation been suffered
to continue fifteen minutes longer, would
certainly hsyebeen lost to US.
THE CRISIS.
Crisis of q great battle! Crisis met, and,
thank God, conquered; though with such
a loss as in the estimation of men highest
and lowest in this army, can never be re-
placed.
General Ricketts, saw the danger even
before the wavering of his columns, and
sent regiment to his right flank, which
formed at right angles Of his main line,
temporarily protectingit- General Wright,
in command of the forces, acted with
prompt decision. Although it was indeed
early in the day to be forced to employ the
reserve of an army, he decided to employ
his reserves at once. The first division of
the Sixth corps, under. General Russell,
Immediately in the rear of our broken cen
terry ordered in at the double quick.
Colonel Edwards brigade, advancing on
the right OF General Ricketts,, sent its bull
lets crushing into the enemys hordes, as
tonishing and checking them. General
Russell commanding the division; cheered
in the troops Of bis own and General Rick
ett's command, galloping along the lines
and endeavoring to reform the columns
which were broken. The lines were con
structed with admirable quickness, and the
enemy were charged in turn; as the re-
vived troops moved slowly forward, giving
out their volleys
DEATH OF GENERAL RUSSELL.
General Russell was struck in the side
1 by a bullet. Strengthening himself up
without uttering word of pain, he called
out to the command 10 "rnove on, and
moved OF with them into the fray. In
half moment more piece of bursted
shell from one Of the enemies batteries en-
tered his breast, passing down through his
vitals and out at the other side. He fell
from his horse without word. His men
moved by him. His officers, moving by,
also saw with hearts full of tears an agony
which they could not then attempt, even
had it been possible, TO alleviate. The en-
emy, not yet wholly daunted, regsined and
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