The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-30

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sisns of the 9TH corps neved west, and The
Sd division se right angles with Il to the
south, while on it, right vas the corps) Of
A. ]. Smith. There can BE- no question
bat the 1st and I'd divisions Of tho 4th
corps had By far the most difficult task.
They had more exposed position, and in,
their front the rebel works were stronger
than elsewhere; but at all points the work
wss sufficiently dangerous and difficult.
The men moved steadily forward how
ever, under shower Of grape, canister
and musketry, which, but for the fact that
1t nearly oil passed over mems heads,
would have been terrific. Some Of our
men were shot down, bat tho casualties
were less than was to have been expected;
but my observation has convinced me that
charge up hill, is less dangerous than one
across level field; rs the shot, in the
former case, is nearly all too high. -
+ When within about one hundred and
fifty yards of tho rebel works, the fire they
concentrated was severest, but there was
no turning back, and only q momentry
halt A general shout was then raised,
and our long lines, closing up from the
Hilsbor0' Turnpike, came full in view, and
again they all pushed forward. "7HT., =.
j Our men were now almost Immediately
up to the intrenchments the distance yet
to be passed did not exceed fifty yards {:
our boys were shouting and reinforce
ments were coming up at the. double
quick Still tho rebels did not appear
disposed to yield, and they poured forth
volleyI after volley, until it was truly deaf
eaing. Twenty-Five yards of the space
was now gained, and q few of our bravest
boys had reached the works and were ap-
plying the bayonet,' and others were rush
ing up, when here and there q rebel could
be seen flying to the rear; then more, and
yet more, until all broke and fed in the
Widest confusion. Four 12-pound Napo-
lean guns had been posted on the highest
point of the hill !; these tho artillerists
tried to save, but only succeeded in get
ting one off the field. The other three,
and two caissOns, fell into our hands, to-
gether with q large number of small arms
/ Our loss in this charge did not exceed q
hundred, and that of the enemy, in killed
and wounded, was about the same. :.
Simultaneously with the capture of this
fort, which proved to be q very strong
one; Smith and Schofeld, and our caval-
~, advanced to the south of the Hillsboro
pike, at least half mile, capturing one
IeEtire battery. This made eighteen guns,
in all, captured while from six to ten bat
tle-flags were pickedup. The whole num-
Der of prisoners captured, Throughout the
day, was about ], 200; while We did not
lose over 800, altogether, in killed and
wounded-not q prisoner being taken.
I The spirit which pervaded our men was
scarcely ever before equalled one old vet
eran actually cried that night had come
on, and he could not join in another
charge, refrain from giving the position
of our forces at nightfall, as the enemy
may stand again to-day, and do not de-
sire to give them any information though
it is highly probable that they are pretty
we'll aware of the position Of our men,
having fell their approaches. go
We are unable to particularize, as to
men who distinguished themselves more
than others, if there we're any such, in a
battle where every man was hero. T..
Our gunboats were Smelling the rebels
all the morning, till the flank movement
drove them away from the river. g.
All have learned relative to move
ments in, Stedman's command was that
the 11th,. 18th, 18th, 18th, 18th and 111th
colored regiments made charge on Rains
bluff, near the Nolensville pike, and ut
terly routed the rebel line. Our troops
behaved splendidly, and lost severely.
Colonel Skaters regiment, the 18th, had
nearly all its officers killed and wounded.
Tho Georgia militia..-A Rich Order.