Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-13

routed. They had little discipline, but
plenty of staunch courage. Soon they
turned for another stand, and the Con-
federates were at once upon them.
Again they gave way, but strewed the
path of their stubborn retreat with many
a corpse in gray, as well as in blue. AT
half.past seven the first line began to
give signs of exhaustion, and to march
over the rough ground while struggling
with the enemy had thinned and impair
ed it. 1t was time for Braggs corps to
the relief, and that superb line now
moved up in serried strength.
The first sign Of slackening on the
part of the Confederates seemed to add
vigor to the enemys resistance But
bravely as they fought they never recov-
cred from the stun of the surprise. Their
half of the battle was out of joint at the
beginning, and it was never gotten right
during that day. They were making
desperate efforts to retrieve their lost
ground when Bragg's disciplined tornado
burst upon them. The shock was met
gallantly, but in vain. Another bloody
grapple was followed by another retreat
Of the Federals, and again our line
moved on.
Those who were in the battle will re-
member these successive contests, fol-
lowed by short periods Of inaction, going
on all the day. To use the illustration
of one we'll acquainted with its plan and
incidents: :" 1t went on like the regular
stroke of some tremendous machine. "
There would be rapid charge and fierce
fght-the wild yell would announce the
Confederate success then would succeed
q comparative lull, broken in few min
utes, and the charge struggle and hor
rible din would recommence.
About half past ten Folks corps pre-
pared to take part in the fight he had
previously, by order personally given by
General Johnston (who was all the time
in 'front.', sent one brigade to reinforce
General Bragg right, where the second
line had been most hotly engaged. He
also sent, by order of Gen Beauregard,
one brigade to the left The fight at this
time was Joined all along the line, and
urged with greater fury than at any other
period of the day. Almost Immediately
after parting with these two brigades,
Gen. Polk became engaged with the re-
mainder of his corps. The enemy had
now disposed his entire force for resis-
tance- the men fought as if determined
not to accept defeat their stern,
tenacious leader was not the man to re-
linquish hope, although his lines had
been repeatedly broken, and the ground
was piled with his slain. The corps of
Hardee, Bragg and Polk were now
striving abreast, or mingled with each |
other. ~
In reading the reports of the Confed. |
crate Generals, frequent allusion will be |
found to regiments and brigades fight
ing without "head or orders" One com
mander would sometimes direct the
movement of troops belonging to an
other. At this phase of the struggle the |
narrative should dwell more upon the |
4" biographies of the regiments than
the history of the battle" But the wise
of the lines, and the in
struction given subordinate command |
ers, insured harmonious action and de- |
sired result
Each brigade commander was ordered |
when he become disengaged) to seek |
and attack the nearest enemy, to press
the flank of every stubborn hostile force
which his neighbors could not move,
and, at all hazards, to press forward
Gen. Johnston seemed to have adopted
the motto, when fighting in the dark,
strike out straight" He more than once
assumed command of brigades which
knew not what to do, and led them to
where they could fight with effect. Our
successes were not won without costly
and the carnage was lavish
upon both sides.