The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-12-10

portions Of the 4th Corrs (Gen. D. s. STAN
levi and of the sd Corps lGen. Cox as the
Georgia campaign had spared, together
with q number of new recruits for each,
and few regiments that recently entered
this now; because since the arrival Of Gen.
A. J. Smiths troops from the Mississippi,
and Of Gen. Steedman's from Chattanooga,
things wear avery different aspect, indeed.
The rebels viii ind the task Of cdntending
/ with the army now assembled around
that Of fighting Schn6elds's feeble legions
l-althoneh even they themselves admit
that they received terrible drubbing in
1rDIcAr1oxs OF BATTLE.
The afternoon 81 the last day Of Novem'
ber, was clear, clQpdless and warm. The
sun shpne out, not indeed with that brill
lance which you often witness in Ohio. bat
with the subdued luster characteristic o.
sunshine ia Tennessee. The water Of the
Harpeth sparkled in the light; and long
| column Of blue.cOated soldiers continued
steadily 70 cross ftom the south to the north
bank Of the river. The rebels who had
been pressing rs 30 closely all the way from
Colulhbia and Spring Hill, that we had
TO have made up their minds 70 let 10 pur-
sue the remainder Of our journey in peace.
For short period there Was les firing than
there had been Aimee daylight. Gen. ]. J.
Woods division Of the 4th Corps tStan-
ley'e) had already crossed the river. when
lumbiA, and upon the crest Of . line Of low
hills, which in . manner encircled our po-
sition. were seen thousands Of 'graybacks'
and 'butternuts.' preparing to advance up
on our works,
Wagner's division Of the 4th Corps was
posted = considerable distance in advance
Of opr principal works, and with some Skin.
stltuted our front line. These troops were
protected by very rude and insixni6cant
line Of outworks resembling rifle pits.
"a PosITloN or OUR TROOPS.
In the principal line. Brig. Gen. Nathan
Kimball's division was on the extreme
right, its flank resting upon the river; Gen.
COx's division was in the center, its line
crossing the Columbia turnpike; and Gen.
Ruger's division was on the left, its wing
under Mai. Genl Wilson, was disposed in
such mode - might best enable it to pro-
tect our trains against the immense cavalry
force Of the enemy.
OF REBEL TROOPS.
Only two corps of the rebel army were
brought into action in the beginning Of the
fight-C heatham's formerly Hsrdee'sl on
J
on the left. s. d. Lees corps was held as a
reserve on the rebel centre, ready to assist
either Chatham or Stewart, rs occasion
might require. FOrrests cavalry was pre-
pared to harass us during the continuance
-Of the battle. and complete our destruction
in case we should be beaten. 80
- NrsCELLA1EoUs ARRANGEMENTS.
The rebels aeemed weak in artillery, and
played upon us with very few pieces du-
The artillery Of the 4th corps, comprising
eight splendid batteries, and constituting
an artillery brigade under command OF
Capt. Lyman Bridges, was posted in most
advantageous positions all around our
principal line Of works.
The artillery Of the sd corps had crossed
the river before the commencement of tbl
fight, and was placed near the small fort
which ne had upon the north Di1e OF Ne
~ 80 our o. s1S r.. 1sfhr
Within Ia fort Gekeral ScAofield tDoh
his position to watch snd direct The impen-.
ding contest. w
The brave and able Major General STAN
tried young men. took his stand on the Co.
.umbia pike, not far from the center Of his
corps. ~
The cool and steady Cox watched the adj
vancing enemy from the center of his di-
VISION. N
Young Kruger held the left, with that con-
fdence which valor and high sense OF
honor give to q man. ff
The grim old war horse, Nathan KIM
ball, stood firm as rock upon the right.
From the north side of The river the pa
triotic and dauntless Wood chafed like q
Lion at the prospect Of being left entirely
ont Of the tight. s .,a5A,
.fsi THE BATTLE OPENS. ~
It was, perhaps, haif-past three, when
Cheatham's powerful corps was seen rush.
Ing upon us like an avalanche, It bore
steadily down upon our centre, and its for
nation was of 90 peculiar character that
4 deserves spcial mention. Along its en-
tire front 1t WAS two regiments -four lines
in depth: and behind each alternate reri-
mento Of the last line, counting from flank
20 Hank, were ranged four other regiments;
90 that: the charging columns, six regi-
msnte twelve linsa) deep, were united At
their heads BY intervening formations, two
Isegiments lfaur lines) deep. Thus: