Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-11-09

iounu mounted force ahead and driven
them of, and wishing to pursue, it was
necessary they should return for their
horses. 30 ir
AN OLD BATTLE.FIElD,
The head OF the infantry column had AT
this moment just crossed the cd line OF
enirenchments constructed by Mcclellan
in 1862. little to The front once stood
the celebrated Seven Pines. They have,
, however, ceased 10 be a landmark to the
veteran who may in future years visit this
celebrated field of his exploits. A few
rods Further and we were on the battle.
field proper. How eagerly, and with
what an animated countenance, the old
veteran pointed out each familiar object,
even TO a strange clump of underground,
All why beams, then, in his couutenance
such proud, radiant light, and why does
it suddenly fade, the tear bedim his eye.
and his voice grow choked and husky {?
If you ever meet him on that field, ask
him. There is no more time 10 be lost in
moralizing.
THE FIsHT.
The sharp cracking of the cavalry rifles
in front, drowned at times by the occa-
sonal roar Of the rebel artillery, announce
as plainly as words could, no left flank
here, plenty of rebels though, and an at
tack will add plen,yof death and wounds,
Tho men had marched nearly fourteen
miles, and night was coming on,
Under the circumstances we could not
with any security move further to the
right. besides desperate shower had set
in. General Weizel appeared on the
ground and heard the reports of Generals
Marston and Heck man that there were
strong works covering the Williamsburg
road, but they had reason to te,leve them
held only by the dsmounted cavalry OF
Geary.
GEN. wEITzEL PREPARES FOR AN ASSAULT.
Weitzel rode TO the front to reconnoitre
and confirmed their report. He reasoned
thus: If their works are held only by dis
mounted cavalry shall be able to carry
them with small force, and great ad-
vantage will be gained. IT, on the con-
uary, they are held by heavier force
than | anticipate, Two brigades will be all
| care to subject TO the enemy's fire. Dis
positions for an attack were accordingly
nihiStpl dli tltch llluu y NnOlt
divisions were deployed in the open field
in front OF the rebel works. Marston on
the right and Hickman on the left OF the
road, while Holman with bis division ot
colored troops was hold in reserve as n
support to the assaultng columns.
THE ASSAULT.
Sti.ps battery A, First Pennsylvania
artillery, was ordered into action with in.
structons TO fire as quickly as possible
AS soon as the tattery appeared on the
field it was made the target for the con-
centrated fire of the iebel artillery Im.
mediately this diversion was created in
favor Of the infantry; the assaulting brig
AIDES comprising Colonel Fairchld's com
mand Of Beckman's division and Colonel
Cullen's command of Marston's division,
dashed forward on the charge; soon after
Stitts opened with all the fury and deter
mination of a tiger, but notwithstanding
his attack the enemy again trained their
guns against the assaul,ing party. As in
the case of the Curtis and Bell charge,
this assault proved the enemy to be in
force. The opinion that nothing but a
cavalry skirmish line held the works was
now most fatally exploded. The inflntry
in the works appeared 10 heavy force and
savagely opened on our unsheltered and
utterly helpless soldiers. They we're be-
yond reach of assistance and so close to
the rebel line that an attempt to retreat
was almost certain death. In this dilem-
ma they fell TO the earth and endeavored
TO shelter themselves by hugging the
ground as closely rs possible. The rebel
artillery now tried to drive S,itt's from the
field again that they might, without great
hazard, move out OF their works and cip-
ture such of our men az might survive the
terrible storm of missiles that had been
rained upon them.
ARTlLLERIsTs CAPTURED.
But the brave arlillerist, though Who'll
" exposed. would not be driven from the
field until his guns were all disabled by
the furious rapidiiy Of his own fire. The
enemy, determined not to lose their trap
ped prey. sailed out of their works from
two points, and, moving 6ankwise towards
our unfortunate brave boys, gobbled near
ly the whole party. A great many chose
rather TO run the gauntlet of being killed
or wounded to being taken prisoners, and
rush for our lines. Some few succeeded
in reaching it in safety,
WITHDRAWAL OF OUR FORCES
Darkness was now setting u. Nothing
more could be done save return to camp,
aud the sooner this was done perhaps TIE
better it would be- Accordingly about I
o'clock the movement commenced in the
darkness and mud the men slipping, and
jostlipg, and cursing, gained the Charles
City road when a halt was ordered that all
might rest. Before night the next day,
the men were once more snugly 10 camp.
+. CREIGHTON.
Latest Account of the Movement Why
Our Troops Withdrew Political Sym
r. %ba ~ al D.,