Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-08-03

Iol4SiHttdbIe distance II0n the nOfIuefl edge,
was the enemy's principal line of works
The ground IL front Of Howard was densely
wooded, as was mostly that in front OF Palm
er; but on great part Of Rockers front
after ascending the table land, was consid-
cradle space OF open fields, OF the other side
Of which, in the direction Of Atlanta, were
heavy woods. Behind all three of these corps
ran Peach Tree Greek, through open ground.
with aigh ground (also OPEN still further
back, and furnishing splendid positions for
our batteries, of which the experienced and
able artillerists on Davis, Baird, Johnston,
| Hooker, Newton and Towards stats did rot
fail 20 avail themselves.
Ii was shortly after noon, when, in accord
anc- with Gen. Thomas design of clos
ing up the gap have spoken of, Gen. New
ton division prepared 10 advance from the
bank of the creek, in order to relieve Hazen's
brigade of Woods division, (which had been
thrown over previously and allowing il 10
move 20 the left, as well as to take W a posi-
ton HIGH, by materially shortening our line,
would tend still farther to close UP the inter
val between Newton ana Wood.
\ strong skirmish line was sent out to feel
for the enemy, who had rife pits in advance
OF their principal works Col. Barrett, 44th
ILL.,, was put in command of the skirmishers
who comprised six regiments four from Brig
Gen. kimbalPs brigade, and two from Col
Blake's. The latter officer Is at present in
command of Gen. Wagner's brigade The
whole line advanced with rapidity and entha-
siasm, drove the rebels from their rife pits
and captured several, with the loss of only
two men. This brought them within 800
yards OF the main rebel works.
Our line of battle quickly followed up this
advance, and kimball and Blake Immediately
took up a position on the ridge The men
had merely halted, as they supposed, for the
purpose of eating their humble dinner, and
expected to move on Immediately after
swallowing the same But the old war
horse, MAT Kimball" as his men Familiarity
call him, was not to be caught mapping; and
before his soldiers had broken piece of hard
tack or drank drop of coffee, he ordered
them 70 commence constructing line of bar
ricades. No order is more cheerfully obeyed
by our soldiers when in the presence of an
enemy, than this. Their experience in meet
ing 50 often the desperate onsets of the rebel
legions, has taken away all the aversion TO
certifying which they manifested at the be-
ginning Of the war. In a majority Of cases,
they are ready to construct bulwarks without
any command from their officers In the
present instance, although many of them
thought the labor would be thrown away, they
acted with alacrity upon the first word, or
rather hint, from Gen. Kimball; and, as the
event proved saved thereby hundreds Of
thor own lives, and perhaps prevented the
rOut of their own division. Col Blake, never
slow to follow any good example, did not
hesitate an instant in this case; and the clat-
ter of logs and rails thrown together, with
the ringing OF picks spades and Shoyels re-
sounded all along his front.
The enemy made repeated efforts, from
noon to half past TWO, to ascertain the posi-
ton of our forces and there was heavy
skirmiShing along Wood and Stanley's fronts,
well - along the skirmish line, which.
stretching across the great gap, connected
the left of Newton with the right of Wood.
Then there a temporary lull along the
whole line
1t was about half past three when the enc
Enys skjrmishers, advancing as if TO recon
hotter, gave notice that something was in
pending. Our line had halted longer than
was expected, and was Just upon the point of
re7umIug the advance, when this appearance
Of the rebels determined Newton 10 remain
behind his hastily constructed works on the
hill, and Hooker to march his troops at once
from the low ground in front of him, so that
he might connect with New.on's right. The
order TO advance was scarcely given, when
from the high ground, all Hooker's batteries,
and part Of Towards, broke forth III a sim
UltaneoUs peal of thunder. The rebel legions
were pouring forth from the woods beyond
the open fields at the top of the ridge, and
pressing forward, rank behind rank, in start
ling and magnificent array, seemed resolved
To crush at one blow Whatever might oppose
them. This spectacle the artiIerists upon
the elevated ground, north of the creek
could plainly see, but the infantry, climbing
up the hill, on the south side, could not y
moment later, aud savage yell upon the
left, followed by the clang and clatter of ten
thousand muskets, announced that Newton's
nm In ..al aGsaIlpI nv fbp
NewtOn's front the enemy did not wait to
push forward a skirmish line, but charged at
once in lines of battle, two aud three deep.
Our skIrnishcrs IN advance of our hastily
constructed works, were driven in with the
velocity OF a whiyIwind, and as they rushed
back in disordered haste, came near throw
ING into confusion the extreme right of
Newton, and tor moment caused 1T TO give
way.
Meantime, Brig Gen. Geary's division of
Hookers corps, which was considerably in
advance of both Williams division or the
right, and Wards (Butterhelds) on the left
was struck bv the rushing storm, and tempo
rarilv shattered Both his right and his cen
ter brigades were pushed from their positions
after a short and desperate resistance, and
hurled down the hill nearly TO the banks OF
the creek. Gen. Wards division was still ad-
vancing up the hill side, when the wary old
he then supposed, both Geary on his right
and Newton on his left overthrow. He was
about TO detach three or four regiments TO
their assistance, when, to his astonishment
tho whole scene was changed as if BY magic.
I Ncwton's line became firm as a rock, and,
without another sign of wavernE, continued
TO pour into the rebel host a steady, uninter-
/ rupted aud deadly FIRE. Even the stragglers
from his skirmish line were rallied and did
excellent service in manner l shall men
ton presently. At the same time Geary
disoTdered regiments reformed, even under q
/ whitening fire from the enemy, while couple
Of his batteries, directing their pieces full at
! the right flank of the lines which had driven
+ Us back, tore them in pieces with tornado
! of shot and she'll. The indentation in oul
/ lines produced by the giving way Of Geary's
/ two briGades, became pit of death IN which
F hundreds Of maddened rebels plunged, only
/ TO die or TO fall wounded and bleeding upon
+ the sod. Not another inch did Geary retire,
F but began slowly to advance, until, when
+ the fight closed, he occupied exactly the same
+ grouT d - when 1t began.
/ Ii was Just a. General Ward became con.
WINGED all was going well with Newton and