The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-08-06

4~-NNA ID oouAAoAh3 10 IL
county; but both have been pro6tably
mined here.
The general appearance of this
county is that of an undulating plain,
well watered, and has a thin clay soil.
The original forests were oak, with
an occasional pine; but there are
forests of second growth exclusively
pine. Our army destroyed all the
timber for ten miles north, and the
rebels made clean work for ten miles
south. Thick underground has sprung
up, and the hills and slopes look like
newly-planted groves. No fences are
to be seen for ten miles IN any direc-
ton, except few enclosures for stock.
Looking out from the city, one don't
notice the heights of Stafford and
Spottsylvania, rendered historic by
the struggle of December 13, 1862
The former rise gently from the river
bank, and we're occupied from point
above Falmouth to a point mile and
half east of the city by the Union
encampments, and crowned with more
than two hundred guns in position.
Spottsylvania Heights touch the
river at the head of the rapids and
sweeping south of eastward for more
than five miles, recede from the river
aud enclose a semi-circular plain, on
the north side of which the city rises
on the river bank. North, the hills
were destitute of timber, but South
they were partially wooded, and the
two ranges are of about equal height.
They are from 100 to $50 feet high.
Some ravines cut the southern range
and Marye's Height is formed by
Hazel Run, which cuts the ridge
from the southwest in its rear, and
ravine on the west. 1t is named
for the owner, who has his mansion
on the western slope, near the Spott-
sylvania road. Willis Height is i'm
mediately west, reaching the road to
charlottesville, and named from its
occupant. From these heights to the
river it is over a mile, and full half
mile to the city. The battle opened
by furious bombardment of the city,
which laid one-fourth of it in ruins.
Sumner crossed his grand Division
the city on pontoons, and
Franklin crossed three miles below
at Deep Run. The rebels disputed
Summers passage, from rife-pits, fen
ces and houses along the river bank,
but he drove them back to their
works south of town and formed his
columns in the streets, whilst Frank
lin had less difficulty, and formed on
the plain under cover of our batter
les. At 9 o'clock, December 18th,
when the fog lifted from the Valley,
one grand columns were revealed
standing in solid array, ready for the
desperate part they were to play in
the thrilling tragedy of the day. The
signal was given, and forth from our
two hundred guns iron missels were
falling like hail ON the reb-
el lines, but they shrunk not. Frank
lin fell or Stuart and drove him head
long back on Jackson 8 right, sweep
ing on and rolling back line after
line up the slope to the main position,
where the conflict became terrible
Brave old Meade led two Divisions
on Hills Corps, and pierced his lines,
erowding him back on the reserves.
Thus for hours the battle. ragged On
the rebel right, the lines swaying
back and forth like tossed
waves. The rebels fought with des-
peration, and no troops ever bore
more heroicly than ours.
forward all his reserves,
and using his artillery with fearful
effect, Jackson rallied his broken
battalions and in.superior numbers
they fell upon our exhausted troops |
md finally compelled them to yield |
the ground they had so heroicly |
won. Broken, they rallied in the
cut, but soon retired to the
protection of our guns north of the
liver, and thus closed the battle on
Franklin's front. In the meantime,
Sumner had driven back the enemies
advanced lines, and brought forward
lis assaulting column. Six times did
,ur intrepid boys change across the
,lain and up the hill slopes, and six
lines were hurled back, shattered and
rushed by the terrible fire poured
N them from a hundred cannon and
orty thousand muskets. The Irish
Brigade leaped forward like thun-
Ter bolt, carrying the banners up to
he very. crest of Marye's Height,
'ut melted away like snow in the de-
uge of fire, and were forced back,
eaving two-thirds of their number on
he CORY field.
The last effort was made by the
Joe Hooker, but it failed,
nd at dusk the troops fell back to
he cover of the town. 1t was not
enewed, and on the night of the 18th
n the midst of rain and wind our
bleeding army resumed their old
amps, having lost $4,000 in killed,
rounded and captured. Thus ended
me of the saddest conflicts of the
Tar. 1t was madness to make the at
ack, and notwithstanding General
3urnside's statements, the world will
10 him the justice to believe that the
novement was forced by the restless
nd unwise powers at Washington,
md never received the sanction of
lis judgment. Such a position was
lever carried by direct assault, and
10 better or more determined assault
vas ever made.
The rebels had covered every ridge
md slope with riae-pits, breast-works
nd forts, and crowned the ridge with
wo hundred and forty guns. In
the forces were nearly equal.
Surnsides' delay of a month had en-
bled Lee to bring up all his forces,
nd strengthen his position by all the
FORKS that science could suggest. His
blest generals were there, for Long
treet, Hill, jackson, Ransom and
tuart each bore conspicuous part.
Rebel historians place Lees forces
ar below ours, but facts recently de-
eloped refute this. The rebel loss
,as about g 000 Anv commander