Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1864-10-06
NJ isceH LA ny.
Army Sketches No 8
TURNING THE FLANK.

~ On the 22d day Of July series .
events occurred which, for time, threat
ened to overwhelm the battle SCARE,
veterans OF, the famous stArmy of tht
Tennessee" in defeat and disgrace, anc
d change their hitherto brilliant record O
victory upon every battlefield on which
lthey have beenengaged, to one ofdemora-
lization and shame. 1t is true that they
were not overwhelmed, their record re-
ceiyed no stain, but ike gold tried in
| the fire, came out brighter and more
glorious than before, but it was only by
almost superhuman exertions on the part
ola few brave determined regiments thai
the tide of defeat so strongly setting to-
ward them was checked, and finally hur-
| led back whence it came. To these
events / propose to direct attention, that
others may see, and understand, some Of
the strange scenes in which our brave
army, acts well it's part.
III During the previous morning, the
three corps composing the "Army of the
Tennessee" the 18th commanded by Maj
Gen. John A. Logan, tho 10th by Maj.
Gen. Dodge, and the 18th by Maj. Gen.
L. z. Blair, all under the command of
the gallant MePh erson, had captured by
assault a considerable portion of the
enemies defences, and during the rest OF
the day were busiiy engaged in turning,
I strengthening, and adding to them 50 as
to make them to be valuable assistants
in repulsing rebel attack, from the di-
rection of Atlanta, For long time no
particular demonstration was made by
the enemy, he seeming to confinc bis at
tentions entirely to directing heavy
cross-fre of musketry at our lines, Of
course doing considerable damage.
At length amoyement of the enemy
became apparent. A column ofinfantry
with Haunting flags and trains Of ambu-
lances, batteries Of field artillery and
squadrons of cavalry, marched along a
road nearly mile distant, going toward
and beyond our left. Keen eyes and
good glasses were brought to bear upon
this interesting scene, while preparations
for a warm reception were urged forward
with renewed energy. Regiment after
regiment passed in view, their colors
counted until it was ascertained that
eighteen had passed Of mtautry, besides
artillery and clouds of cavalry. p Was
this feint or would they attack None
knew, but dispositions were instantly
made to counteract either. T..
Behind the 18th Corps which held the
extreme left Of our line, and who
were south of the Augusta railroad, with
the 18th on their right, the 10th was
8 4 4 @e : s- -
brought up, forming in lines, SO as to
immediately support it in case of an at
tack, and bivouaced, ready for action, at
a moments notice From the crest of the
hill, occupied by the Sd Division, 18th
Corps, flank work was built, of fence
rails and dirt, almost at an angle Of 45
degrees, across the edge of corn-feld
and toward small creek running at the
lower side Of said field. In the outer an
gle of this flank work, a small earth
work, to protect battery, was built,
while the 4th division changed position
from the right to the left of Sd Division
the 18th Corps closing up to theleft, and
filling up the gap. {a5.i
This was the position of affairs at dark
on the evening of the 2lst, on the loyal
side of the field, remaining SO, until the
events of next morning demanded diff
erent dispositions to meet the emergen-
cies of the occcsion.
During the night the enemy, as after
wards became known, passed beyond our
left, and then, changing his course, en-
deavored to gain our rear unperceived.
His cavalry. pushed forward to Decatur
miles to our rear, at noon intending to
surprise the troops stationed there, hoped
to create diversioa in favor of the real
attacking column, which was fast closing
in apon our left. They were discover
ed and repulsed however. but not until
they had inflicted serious losses upon our
wide-awake soldiers Falling back from