The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-05-26

OF the gaIlant oecoDu, whose praise
was then on every lip, and, If possible,
to out-do the splendid feats of tho NOR
ming, but in vain, The enemy was
wary, and as the column moved up, q
terrible and whitening Ere was deliv-
cred. Guns seemed to have been
placed SO as to enflade every approach,
and the field was soon strewn with the
dead, dying, and those severely
wounded. From every conceivable
position batteries belched forth their
death dealing missiles. and the assault
seemed, as it afterward proved, impos-
sible of success. After perfectly de-
monstrating the impracticability Of
the attempt to carry the enemy's posi-
ton, it was abandoned.
MINOR CHANCES ALONG THE L1NEs.
Similar attempts, though not SO ex.
tended, were made along the whole
line during this dread day of battle,
and with varying success. In some
instances the rebel positions were car
ried and held; in others, tho assaults
were repulsed with terrible carnage
and in others still positions were ta-
ken which it became necessary to
abandon. In this way the hours Of
Thursday sped, rivers of blood flowed.
and scores Of souls passed into eternity
each hour.
AT THE HOSPITALS.
The scene was sickening in the Vi
cinity of the hospitals, for here one
sees the dark side of battle. The
knife and saw Of the surgeons were
actively engaged almost every moment
indeed. there seemed little cessation
to their dread duties. The groans Of
the patients suffering under cruel and
agonizing wounds were terrible. The
operating tables-none of those com.
Portable contrivances seen in oui
peace blessed hospitals, but extempo
rized almost for the occasion-wert
rarely empty; bnt as fastas one victim
was removed to recover, perhaps t
die, another would take his place
Ambulanccs red with gore, and stretch
ers whose canvass was dyed with thu
ruby stream of life came and went
borne by hospital attendants and sol
diers detailed for the purpose, bring
ing in fresh victims ond Fastening
away for others whose suffering de
manded surgical assistance. Thes'
were scenes of the day, from early
dawn until dark and far in the night
with scarcely moments cessation
while all day, mingled with the erie
and entreaties of the poor fellows un
der the knife was the sad music of car
nage-telling in unmistakable term
the stern truth that there were We
coming still more victims for the sur
geon's knife and probe.
THE END AND THE RESULT.
The engagement did not continu
quite until nightfall, although the las
effort to bring off the captured gun
| was made just at the close of the day
t But the battle finally ceased and, saw
the popping of a few pickets alongth
: lines and the groans Of the wounded
. an almost fearful stiffness reigne'
: The result could not bo otherwise tha
: satisfactory, generally considered. W
S held the intrenchments captured i
s the morning by Hancock, and a
though we failed to carry the secon
7 and third lines Of works of the enemy
/ we had inflicted severe loss upon hin
s and held lanking position, whicl
s ere the next morning, could have bee
: converted into a strong artillery ba
t terry whence the shelling of the reb
! army could have been fearfully acc,
e rate. Everybody in the army felt th'
the result ofthe day was clearly vi
tory, and the opinion among those be
\ informed at headquarters was that Il
: rebels could not possible star
another such days battle.
THE REBELS RETREAT.
IS As early as 4 o'clock next mornir
:, the advance commenced, and disclose
t. the fact that the rebels had retreat,
IF from their position. The victory W
Of thus complete. Pursuit was made al
% soon our troops became engaged wi
t. the rebel rear guard.