The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-12-16

unexpected but not surprise. Our bat
tie line was about mile and half ia
length At 4 O'Clock Hood had massed
his entire forces, and the assault com
menceG. They advanced in double line
of battle, four columns of attack along the
line, converging to the centre with inter-
walls, and assaulted with desperate fury
our entire front. Wagner was lightly in
treuched, and holding our advanced posi-
ton, he received the first sho, k. He
could not breast the fury of The storm, ard
was pressed back in some confusion. Or
came the rebels yelling like demons, flush
ed with their success. Our centre waver-
ed and the line partially gave way. AT
this critical moment the gallant Col. Cpd
yke, of the S4ih Illinois, rushed to the
rescue with his veteran brigade Cox and
klmball also sent troops to the support,
and The line was again formed and conf
dence restored. Our artillery was cons
centrated and placed under command OF
Capt. Bridges, Of the Chicago Battery.
Right gaIsntry did he surerintend the
management of the guns. As the rebel
line swept forward, be poured deadly
fire into their ranks, and the fearful car
mage and destruction staggered but did
not dismav them. The assauiting column
at first consisted of Cheatham's aud Ste.
warts corps, estimate! a. twenty
thousand men. The reoels seemed to
have grown desperate, and rushed upon
Our works. The color bearers were con
spicuous for bravery. They advanced IN
front Of the line of their respective regis
ments, and, waving their flags, trolled the
rebel soldiers TO the very ditch surround
ing our works, sheltered bv which, our
brave boys poured into lie faces of the des>
perate foe witberipg fire Of lead and
dame, The conflict was terrible The
two lines met face to face, ten feet apart,
and ralncd into each Others ranks mur-
derous voleys Of musket balls. The fight
ing was hand to hand. Along the entire
front the rebels were dubbed with mus
kets from our works. and the Federal and
Confederate soldier fell side by side in tie
terrible conflict of death, and their warm
blood, mingling together, dyed the plain
Never did men more bravely support a
cause or more gaIantly meet on the field
Of battle. AS fast as one assault was re-
pulsed, the rebel line was reformed and
the attack renewed. Mai Gen. Stanley,
commanding the 4eh corps, was conspicu>
Gus among the officers for his bravery.
In the commencement of the battle his
horse was slot from under him, and one
Of his staff officers was struck down ia the
same moment by his side lie struggled
awhile on !oot, but, soon finding new
horse, be rode coolIy up and down the
lines, and directed movements as if he was
the master spirit Of the storm. About 5
o'clock be was struck by a rifle ball 10 the
back OF The shoulder, and carried from the
field. lis wound is painful, though not
serious. A s o'clock Stewart and Chea-
than were reinforced by Gen. Lees corps.
All this time the fight had ragged with un-
abated fury, aud the battle field was cov>
cred with the dying and the dead. Thirty
color flags, the standards of as many diff
erent regiments, had been planted upon
our works, the bearers shot down, and the
flags left in our possession. The fighting
lasted from 4 O'Clock in the afternoon un.
til 10 o'clock at night. No less than sew
enteen different assaults and feints were
made by the rebels. The officers and sol
diers Of our army were alike distinguished
for personal daring and bravery. The
rebel Oen. Adams was shot and killed
while leading a charge upon our line.
The dead body of his horse was found
stretched by his own lifeless form at the
very foot of our bEeastworks. Tie dis
charges of musketry and cannon were
heavy and incessaDt. In the battle our
men expended one hundred wagon loads of
ammunition. An amount fully equal, If
not greater, was expended hv Hood. It
OF the assaults seventy five rebels were
made prisoners, and forty-four Of this
number were commissioned officers
From this it would appear that the enlist
ed men required an example from their
officers 10 induce them to tight 50 despe-
rate:y. When the assault commenced
tie head OF our train was on the way to
Nashville, and during the battle the wag-
ons and teams were hurried forward as
rapidly as possible. Before the close Of
the engagement the whole train was in
motion, and nearing the capital of lennes,
see. Al midnight the lines Of both armies
were quiet, and Gen. Woods division re
mained in the rear 10 cover the move
ment. The retreat was deliberate and or
derly, and every thing vas brought off the
field. AS our troops reared Nashville the
next day, to the spectator the march was
strange and bewildering sight. Floating
above the heads of the men were the thirty
captured rebel banners, aud the tri-barred
flag and the glorious stars and stripes
were blen led together in wonderful coufu
sion. Tie new line was formed around
Nashville within from three TO four miles
OF the city. Our soldiers were worn out
with fatigue and loss of sleep. For five
consecutive days and nights they bad been
marching, working in the trenches, aud
lighting. Yet no murmur escaped them
no complaint was uttered. Scarcely had
our line been formed before two thirds OF
the entire Amy were stretched upon the
ground wrapped in the slumbers Of a deep
repose. Tired nature gave way, and the
weary march, scenes OF carnage, and the
battle roar were all forgotten in the sweet
hour Of heavy sleep. The rebel army ad-
IL 4