The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-03-04
THE BATTLE AT DALTON,

The Nashville, UR10n rs Indebted Go. Q
friend who left BHzzards Roost on Friday
noon for full particulars Of the late battle in
the vicinity of Dalton. Our forces moved
out, on the morning of the 25th and soon
perceived the enemy posted on the various
hills in the vicinity of Dalton, with battor
les of from two to four guns determined to
dispute every inch ofour progress Baird's
division occupied the right, Johnston the
centre, and Cruft the left, but at no time
were all engaged. The battle was skir-
mish between outposts and detached brl-
gades, and ini.eyery instance our forces wore
entirely successful. Col. Greses brigade of
Cruft's division carried one hill IN the most
gallant and spirited manner, and Gen. Tur
chin's second with equal determination
and despatch. The obstacles to our advance
being thus cleared away Johnston's and
Uruft's divisions moved forward, passing
Buzzard's Roost, driving the enemy before
them in great numbers, but not without
constant skirmishing, in which our forces
picked up great number offugitives and
chose who were anxious to get within ou
lines the whole amounting to nearly four
hundred. When darkness set in the armies
bivouacked for the night, our forces being
less than two miles from Dalton, and the
enemy but few hundred yards to our
front. Gen. Thomas was present, and su-
perintended matters in person; and after
discovering the enemy's position, became
convinced that it was too strong to be car
ried by assault and he therefore made pre-
parations for strategic movement, the ma
ture of which, however, we deem it lmpru-
dent to mention: and therefore Crufts divi
sion was ordered to take up a new position
thereby leaving the brigades Of King
and Hambright. of Johnston's division,
which were in the advance, with no other
support than Morgan's brigade Off. q. Davis
command @-
Mistaking this for retreat, the rebels,
at about 2 o'clock A. NJ. Of the 10Th, adj
yanced their lines, and, before they were
discovered, were within twelve feet OF our
pickets, who were but a short distance in
advance of the main body. As soon as our
lines were discovered the enemy opened a
yollev Of musketry, which was returned in
gallant style for an hour and half, and
until the rebels withdrew. s .4th - a
The informant describes the scene as one
of the grandest he ever witnessed; the con.
tinued rattle of musketry from ten thousand
infantry, and the bright blaze Of the pow
der, which, at first in flashes, finally set
tied as if steady flame, until the heavens
were Illuminated rendered the affair alto
sether beyond the powers OF description.
Morgan's brigade, which had been acting
as support, came into the action and pre-
vented the rebels from breaking our lines.
After having retired from our immediate
front, an attack in great force, at about
daylight in the morning, was made ON our
cavalry under command of Colonels harri'
son and Boone and which held our extreme
right. A brief sklrmish ensued, in which
our fo.ces lost some halfa dozen men, IN
killed and wounded, and one prisoner;
they then retired, but were soon after or
dered to take up position near the same
place, which they did without loss; and
which they now hold :.
Our loss in these skirmisbes amounted
to,forty two killed and about two hundred
wounded Among the former was Colonel
Mahlotzi, of the 24th Illinois regiment OF
infantry. Nothing can surpass the gallant
ry displayed by our troops In this battle
They have added to their hard earned lau-
rels, ami given to the world new cause tor
admring their heroism, PATRIOTS ana
valOr. sE. is a.
During the night trains we're beard com
ing in from the South continually, and from
prisoners it was learned thatiJohnston was
calling in his scattered forces; but that onn all
would not amount to more than lo,Ooo
men.
General Palmer's garments were pierced
no less than four times by bullets during
the series of engagements. @