The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-05-28
| is the town of Resaca, through which
| runs the Western 4 Atlanta railroad.

is the town of Resaca, through whicl
runs the Western 4 Atlanta railroad.
The rebel works extend generally Nortl
and South in front Of the town, bendin,
East and West at the extremities, so as L
/ rest both f1anks Upon the river. Outsid,
of this arc, and in manner surroundin,
it, extend our lines. A little stream called
Camp Creek flows through narrow val
ley with precipitous bluffs on each side
For more than mile our lines extend or
one side Of this valley and the rebel linet
on the other. The opposing armies shoo
at each other across this valley! A country
abounding in steep hills thickly wooded
with almost impassable ravines, and with
here and there b cleared patch of ground
makes up the remainder of this great
theater of warfare where two mighty
armies were about to enact another trag-
edy.
The rebel army was divided into three
great corps. Hardees on the right, Hood
in the center, and Polk on the left. All the
endorsements brought up from Mobile,
Savannah and other parts, we're distribu-
ted among these three.
About o'clock, 1t was determined TO at
tack the enemy's center, partly for the
purpose Of directing his attention from the
left Of the 18th Corps, where, as I have said,
he had commenced fierce fire, but mainly
TO test his strength and determination, and
If possible to drive him from his works
upon this part of the field.
The attack was commenced by Schofield,
who, with Newton, advanced gradually up
to the enemy's works, Wood and Stanley
pressing closely the extreme rebel right -
Further to our right, Carlin's and Kings
brigades Of Johnsan's division, assailed the
enemy's lines in front of them, with great
vigor and determination. Never was
field more stubbOrnly contested. Officers
wed with the men in acts of daring. Ju-
dah's division of Schotield's corps, blazed
oil round a low hill upon which were the
rebel works they designed to storm. But
every instant their ranks were thinned by
showers OF bullets and grapeshos hurled
amongst them by the rebels, who fought
with comparative security inside their RI
fie-pits: ae& sa
Our line wavered. Turchins Brigade Of
Baird's Division was ordered to the rescue.
As a portion of Johnson's men had done,
they hurled themselves down the almost
perpendicular bluffs OF which have spo-
ken; waded through Camp Creek, waist
deep, at the foot; and attempted to charge
across the valley under a most murderous
fire. The charge was unsuccessful-the
bulk of the brigade withdrew: but couple
of regiments crossed the valley, and tax ing
shelter under the very bluffs upon which
the enemy's works were constructed, lay
there in comparative security until the
friendly night came on, when they quietly
withdrew.
Col. John G. MitchelPs Brigade, of Da.
vis's division. was now sent to the assis-
tance Of Turchin. II came gallantly into
the fight, as does any body of troops with
Col. Mitchell for leader Hut the relent-
less storm from the cnenly's works fell
upon it also; the Colonel himself narrowly
escaped death, shell exploding at the feet
of his horse, a huge fragment knocking to
flinders the field-glass which hung at his
side, and which alone saved his life.
The order was finally given for the whole
line 10 withdraw, which it did in good order.
The enemy had been driven from portion
of his outer line Of works, and although We
did not occupy them atthat time, the fire
OF our artillery was SO effective that the
rebels never reoccupied them. issf
Joe. Johnston now determined to assume
the offensive in earnest, and began massiIg
his troops upon his right, with the design
OF turning our left. The movement would
probably have been successful, had it not
been discovered in time, and prevented.
To Lieutenant w. l.. Shaw, of General FL
liott's staff, the honor Of the discovery be-
longs. From IA hin upon the right OF our
lines, his keen eye detected the rebel COL
umns moving towards our left. Hooker
was instantly dispatched to breastthe COM
ing storm, but before he could arrive, it
burst upon a portion of our line. Crnft's
brigade, ofStanley's division, occupied an
advanced position to the east Of the Tilton
ordered 70 hold Upon this brigade the
rebels fell in immense numbers, and after
u gallant resistance, 1t was broken and
nushed back, as it emerged fromthe woods
near the road, and came across some open
fields west Of the same, the enemy pressed
after If with terrific yells. 1t seemed as III
the left was really about to be turned, but
Simonson's old battery, the 5th Indiana,
was posted at the western edge of the field,
and ~ the rebels advanced, it poured into
them 20 destructive 6re of grape and cam
lister, that Notwithstanding they rushed
with determined brave ry to within q hum
dred feet ofthe battery, they were finally
driven back In great disorder A brigade
OF HOOker's men, which had arrived ia
the nick oftime, contributed greatlyto this
result, and manfully supported tho bat
terry. tft7 N1
just a. the battle ended upon the left, .
terrible conflict broke out upon the right.
During the afternoon q portion Of Logan's
corps, and Sprague's brigade Of the 10th
corps, had disl0dged the enemy from 1 line
of works almost exactly in front Of the
desperate effort to regain them. With long
lines Of infantry, whose fixed bayonets
glittered in the moonlight, they charged up
the hill upon which tho works were sftua-
ted, and forced their way to tho very foot
Of the bulwarks. But . deadly fire from
the Union lines moved them down, until
at last they gave up the fruitless contest
and 6ed with precipitation and terror
down the nights. It was nearly ten
o'clock before the storm Of battle ceased to
rage. ysio
Early on Sunday morning the skirmish-
ing RECOMMENDED, but it was not until
about half-past one, that anything of i'm
portance took place.
II should be observed here that in order
to fill up the gap oceasioned by Hooker's
withdrawal the day before, the whole OF
Palmer's corps was shifted to the right. or
rather was expanded SO as to cover twice
rs much ground as it did the day before.
Hooker was now upon the extreme left,
and about one r. NJ. commenced general
assault upon the works Immediately in
front. With dauntless bravery his men
advanced to the attack, and Wards brig
ade of Butterfield's division, stormed a
small fort and captured four pieces Of ar
tillery. A tremendous fire from long line
of rebel rifle-pits, behind and around the
fort, compelled the greater portion to re-
tiro h,t oh rotva n Oh fO hold tho