Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-12-24


facing to the west, it now faced directly
south. The corps of Generals Schofeld and
Smith were in a position directly parallel
on the left skirmishers along the line hav-
ing been advanced to Hilsboro' pike, shell
tering themselves behind fences, while the
Fourth Corps was formed at right angles IN
front OF the division lying directly across
IIillsboro' pike, the remainder being to the
left of that position.
While these movements were going on,
and our lines were forming, batteries being
placed &c. the Rebels could be distinctly |
seen moving to the left flank towards Hills
boro' pike, with a view to prevent our turn
ing their left flank. AS far as could be as
ccrtained by observation, the entire reserve
of the enemy was thus thrown in front of
our right and centre. In the meantime our
commanders sent rentorcemeuts equally
strong to our forts, which were menaced by
the Rebels, to confront them.
At half past three o'clock all was ready
for charge on the second line of the Rebel
works. The position was strong one, to
reach which our forces had to ascend hills
I to AN elevation of fifteen degrees, without
any protection.
Our lines we're four columns deep, with
ample reserves Our forces wcie massed
against the Rebel lines, and the veteran
! columns were hurled against the Rebels
with irresistible force. AT ten minutes be-
fore five o'clock in the evening, the charge
commenced.
The First and Second Divisions of thc
Fourth Corps moved west, aud the Third
Division at right angles with it. The Corps
of General A. j. Smith moved south on the
right. The First and Second Divisions had
the hardest task to perform, heing in Il more
exposed position.
In their front the Rebels works were
stronger than elsewhere and more furmida-
bic. Under heavy fire of grape, canister
and musketry, our men moved steadily for
ward but owing to the Rebels firing too
high it mostly passed over them; otherwise
F the slaughter would have been terrible.
Some of our men were killed, but the list OF
casualties was less than could have been cX-
pected. After advaccing within one hun
drcd and fifty yards of the Rebel works
, their fire was severe, but our troops never
, wavercd. With a shout along the lines
(ranging along lIillsboro' pike and coming
full in view),. they again advanced and were
almost Immediately upon the entertainments.
, The distance yet to be passed did not ex-
ceed hundred yards Reinforccments were
: in sight coming up, yet the Rebels cyinced
, no signs of retiring, and discharged vUley
after yol!ey into our ranks. a few of on
, men had reached the works and were using
the bayOnct Rome few Rebels fed and
were soon followed by others, when all
. broke and fed in the widest confusion
The artiIerists attempted to get IL
= pound Napoleon cannon of the field, but
they only succeeded in getting off them.
; selves.
We secured three pieces oc cannon and
1 two caissons, with large number OF smal
arms. We captured IN this charge about
four hundred prisoners.
. The prisoners report that Hood told then
+ they could hold their position against any
= Yankee" force which could be brought
, against them.
Our losses in this charge did not exceed
r one hundred killed and wounded. Smitl
! and Schotie!d's Corps had in the meantim,
A advanced half mile to the south of Hills
c boro' pike, capturing there whole battery
: of six guns.
/ The total amount Of artillery captured
Gncndiug five which were taken by tn
G Fifteenth Ohio Regiment, on the cxtrcmt
p lefp, amounts to eighteen guns. Scvera
\ bat!le.fags were also taken. The Rebel los
4 in killed and wounded was not less than 81,
t hundred while ours was only three hun
dred. They have taken up II second line
and may defend it tomorrow if they do no
retreat TO night.
One of the most brilliant charges mad
to-day was by the Eleventh Twelfth, Thr
: tcehth, Fourteenth, Seventeenth and One
hundrcd-and-ftteenth Colored Regiments
on Roms' Hill, near Nolansville pike, whicl
e utterly routed the Rebel line The colorc,
= troops behaved spendidly and lost severely
/ Colonel Shatfrcs' Rcgimcnt-thc Seven
h teenth-lost nearly all their officers at Whit
= pike, in front of liecklin's residence Gene
: raj Beatty led charge on the first Rebc
e line at ~ o'clock to-day. Our forces car
r RED it at the point of the bayonet, and plant
k cd our guns on the abandoned works of III
e Rebels. Fifty prisoners were captured !;
this charge. Our loss was very light W
= advanced here one mile, aud the Rebel fore
r rctreated in great confusion
y Lieutenant j. w. Watson, of the Fift
Is Iowa Cavalry, was shot through the breas
= while gaantly charging the cnemy's bat
If teries, and mOrtally wounded.
1t The steamer PIKE, in the Quartcrmaster'
service, while proceeding up the river, an
l. when three mile from the city, was fired in
II to by the Rebels. One man, named Georg
lr B!akely, was killed and four others wound
1t cd.
The gun-boat fleet were engaged all da
n down the river about fourteen miles fror
h the city. We are shclling the Rebel lei
= very vigorously.
Among other captures to-day was tn
IS headquarters of the Rebel General Cha
1t mers, consisting of fifteen wagons. ANON
e! the contents are all his books, papers, Walt
y ables, &c. These are now at Captain Good
Is wins headquarters
t. Up to 8 O'Clock to night, about $50 pr
e soners have been brought to this city. TIL
total number of those captured is not les
d than 1900.
t. Captain GrosvcnOr, brother of Colont
is Grosvenor, commanding the Third Brigade
1t was killed Adjutant Clayborne and Gent
n raj Roberts, of the Ninth Indiana Regimen
was wounded.
-, TENNESSEE.