American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-01-04
hordes as he did not capture, back of the
Franklin Pike.
THE SECOND COMING.

THE SECOND COMING.
But Lee still held the hill on the left
of the turnpike, completely commanding
it. The rebel right was still unbroken :
and while that was the case, the victory
was still incomplete.
1t was once again Woods time to try
his fortune and his skill From the time
when he first puthis command in motion
on Thursday morning tothe present hour,
he had failed in nothing. The progress
Of the 4th corps had been resstless as the
march of fate. Could 1t but carry the
hill before it, it would complete the dis
comfture of the rebel host thrill with
the deed the hearts of the American peo-
pie, win the crowning triumph of the
day, and make every man connected with
it proud of its name forever.
sTEEpMAN TO ASSIST.
Assistance, too, was near at hand.
Steedman, as said before, had worked his
way over all opposing obstacles; had driv-
en- th--ebels steadily before him, on both
sides of the Murfreesbo,o pike and ma
king a half wheel toward the left had
connected with Woods right. His forces
were now availa lie in aiding to carry the
hill.
When Wood aud Steednan unite in an
enterprise, heaven help those (uuless they
be rebels) who thrUy themselves i'll their
wuy
sUBORDINATES
Wood had for his subordinate officers
such men as Elliott, Sam'l Beatty, Kim
ball, Grose, Whitaker, Opdyke, Post,
Lane. Steedman had Cruit, Mitchell,
Grosyenor, Morgan, Thompson. Their
troops were mostly veterans Of a score
of battles, and the elite of the Corps d
AtiIque.
GooDsPEED..
1t was about half past one p. NJ. when
| first came upon this portion OF the field.
he batteries of the 4th corps directed
by the bold and able Maj. Goodspeed,
were hurting shot and she'll upon the crest
and against the sides of the hill, replied
to only occasionally by the battery, which
the rebels had on the summit.
APPEARANCE OF THE GENERALS.
Gen. Wood himself was there, standing
On piece Of rising ground, just to the
OF and not lar from the turnpike. Steed-
man was there, his gruff, gnarly, yet not
unpleasant lace looking cool and calm,
as If he were attending an ordinary po-
litical meeting at home. Sam. Beatty
was there, with his round, fat, honest
looking countenauce. He was somewhat
ser Jus III his department. His division
had already passed through fierce orde-
al hat day, and he knew it was again up
ou The point Of punSin5 into the tercest
vi the strife. Other distinguished officers
with nearly all the members ofthe excellent
staff of the 18th Corps, were gathered close
around.
ASSAULT OF THE HILL DECIDED UPON.
= ,-teedman left the group aud passed
over to the lett, toward his own command.
Staff officers gaIloped in various direction.
i rode close to Gen. Wood.
/" | am going to assault "A hill" said he,
in short time. Col. Post is out now
accommodating the position, to see if he
can take it with his brigade lie will he
pretty sure to decide that he can"
watched The general closely, to see if,
in this great crisis, | could detect any
sign of trepidation on his part Rigid
as ii statue he sat upon his horse. lie
was still lame from the effects of the
wound received At Jonesboro', and an or
derly, with crutches, rode always very
near him. Sean his features narrowly
as | would, yet even while he talked /
could not detect upon them any other ex-
preston than that which they wear when
he is in his Office, not thinking of battle ;
or when at the dinner table, converslng
quietly with his friends Thesame calm,
genial, pleasant smile lighted up his roun-
.tenance. Only in his eyes sparkling like
damosds, could be seen in his apprecia-
ton OF the stern realities by which he
was surrounded in. them the fire Of bat
tie blazcd visibly.
We have been successful so far, he
said to some members of his staff, "and.
I trust we shall not fail in this attempt
vet we may. We can hardly expect al
ways to win. Perhaps tho enemy will be
able to hold that hill against US. If we
do not succeedin our assault, we will Try
some other plan. But we'll beat them in
the end
COL. POST BELIEVES HE CAN TAKE IT.
Just then young, handsome, intelli-
gent-looking officer came dashing up to-