Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-17
DAILY LEADER
REEL NEWS.
General RfIpafrielk's Baftles-.-He has
n Fight daily with Wheeler.
IFrOm the Savannah Republican. Dc. 81

/ From the Savannah Republican, Dc. 81
Hardly q day has passed that Wheeler
has not engaged some bodies of Sherman's
army, and the boastful Fitzpatrick has been
whipped by him as often as he has fingers
and toes. Besides fighting wherever he
/ could find the enemy, roads have been OBJ
structed, cattle and negroes driven of, the
people forewarned, provisions that could
not be moved destroyed, and everything
else done to embarass and distract the
raiders. In this way Wheeler has render
ed most ital service to the cause, for it
has given Us time to complete defences
and bring up our men. We are now
ready for Sherman, and, strike where he
will, he will find foe ready and
able to cope with his hired and brutal
minions.
On Sunday last, the 4th inst, 8 battle
was fought which exceeds in magnitude any
that has characterized the campaign, and
is therefore worthy of some particular
mention. The Fourteenth Yankee corps,
united with Kilpstrick's entire cavalry
force, made an attack on Wheeler, and
severe battle ragged for several hours At
the moment Of the assault Weeelers line
was very much extended, for the purpose
Of foraging; but he speedily brought his
forces together and received the attack OF
the enemy with vigor which made him
stagger. Several times were they driven
back by our men in counter charges and
sometimes from behind breast works.
Finally, Wheeler, finding himself sur
rounded by greatly superior force, quiet
IL and in good Order-retired and left the
field to the enemy. The losses Of the lat
ter were very heavy and the blow cannot
have failed greatly to cripple them. We
captured a UunbeE- Of prisoners, ono a col
onel, who was taken in hand to hand
fight. We also lost severely In officers
and meh, but in no proportion with the
enemy. Among our killed was Colonel
Graves, who, on the occasion, was acting |
as brigsdier.
Of the present whereabouts of Sherman,
it might crafty curiosity, but would do no
good to speak. From his movements, we |
Judge that he himself Is not so sure of his |
longitude and latitude. Suffice it to cay |
that he has many days hard march before |
him ere here will be able to respond visibly |
to the rockets of his friends on the coast, |
with q good prospect Of having to fight his |
way through the entire distance.
lFrom ihe Augusta COnstituiiOnaliSt, Dec. 81
Owing tothe state of the atmosphere, the |
Of cannon was distinctly heard |
on Sunday morning in the direction of |
We have it in our power to |
present brief, but authentic, explanation |
Of those warlike resonsnces,
Pursuant to instructions, General Wheel |
er concentrated his cavalry force, and, at
on Saturday, fell upon the enc
my rear with vim. The Yankee horse
men were precipitately driven back upon
their infantry support. After harassing
the infantry for some time, Wheeler re-
tired to his former position.
At daylight on Sunday morning, Kilpst-
rick's cavalry, assisted by the 14th Corps,
advanced upon our cavalry. We were sta
toned behind temporary bresstworks and
to meet the onset. Every charge
Of the enemy was repulsed by fire and
counter charges. Finally, despsiring to
carry our works by storm, notwithstanding
heir superior numbers, the Yankees en-
Teloped our aanks aad made a retreat ne
,essary. This retirement was accomplished
a excellent order. Having relieved their
,esr of a terrible incubns, the Yankees
sbundoned any further demonstration and
continued their march.
Our loss was between seventy and eighty
nen. The enemy's loss is reported off,
tally as "very heavy" Among the, cas-
lalties on our side, we are panied to an
lounce the severe wounding Of Colonel
Graves, acting brigadier. One of the
Yankee officers was captured in hand. to-
land encounter, and Fitzpatrick himself
Our officers and men behaved with the
gsllantry, and, consider
ng the disparity of force, achieved most
brilliant results in retarding the march of
he hostile columns and filing them with
/ well-grounded apprehension. At last
accounts the indefatigable Wheeler had
collected his men and was again hacking
way at the rear guard.