New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-25

gray light of morning began to appear this
order was given and simultaneously the
familiar rebel yell and tremendous volley
of musketry, stretching all along the flank
from far to near, announced the presence OF
the foe. In an instant Esrly's plunging
lines swept forward, and striking Thor
burns division, crushed it in twinkling
ALI the guns in the line Of parapet were, Of
course, captured, aud the broken regiments,
utterly unable to resist such an overwhelm-
ing onset, were swept hurriedly to the rear.
Hayes division meanwhile flew to arms,
and changing front, advanced in the direc-
ton in which the enemy was evidently
coming. Its whole strength at this time
was about l445 electives, not enough to
make r. spectacle skirmish line along the
front of attack. In q moment the enemy
inspired and impelled by his first success,
burst from the thick woods in front
and were greeted with . full volley
from Hayes men. But successful re-
sistance was impossible, and even the
attempt to resist seemed like madness. In a
moment more the force which had struck
Thorburn was closing in upon Hayes flank
and rear, and there was no alternative but
retreat or capture. In the face of imminent
peril the division withdrew with steady
lines, and from this to the close of the ter.
rible ordeal of surprise and retreat, main
tanned its organization unbroken, not lOsin :
SO much az tin plate. Colonel Hayes d.
rected Its movement with the utmost in
trepidity, leading it backward in good order
and from one hill top to another, and max
ing energetic resistance at every possible
point. His superb GOODNESS and courage in
the midst of the frightful rout and con-
fusion acted like magic upon his men, and
the example of his division, checking each
roho1 oof with itc firm onH atoo6u linau
terminated the broken regiments and fired
them with it's own determined spirit of
resistance.
BADLY BRUISED, But STILL FIGHTING.
Overpowered and driven from it's ad.
vanced position, Crooks command now en-
Geavored to form on the left Ut the Sixth
obliged to fall back. While this movement
was going on, the trains were all rapidly
moving of, though imminently exposed to
capture. Sheridau's headquarters train
was particularly in peril, and desperate
effort to save it was made, which proved
successful. just as the enemys triumphant
lines were sweeping down upon the train,
Colonel Hayes brought bis division to a
halt and met them with firm resistance.
Some of his regiments wavering under the
terrible fire, Colonel Hayes gslloped for.
ward to rally his men. and mounting a
slight declivity was confronted at less than
which instantly delivered volley of bull
let's and yel!s. Hayes horse fell dead be-
meath him, pierced by many bullets, and
by the suddenness of its fall, while at full
speed, flung it's rider violently out
Of the saddle. Colonel Hayes was
terribly bruised, and his foot and ankle
badly wrenched in being disengaged from
the stirrup. For q moment the soldiers on
both sides supposed him to be killed, as he
lay upon the ground benumbed with pain.
and scarcely able to move. Recovering
himself. however, he sprang to his feet,
and in the midst Of perfect storm OF bull
upon him. ran back to his division, which
he regained without further injury. Mean
while the headquarters train had escaped,
and the division being no longer supported
on rear or flank, resumed its backward
movement. The fighting row grew more
and more stubborn on the Union side; the
enemy, wearied with marching and fight
ing, and tempted with camp plumber, more
and more relaxed his pursuit, and at last,
in position Of their own selection, they
were brought to dead halt. The enemy
seemed to content himself with Smelling
them, and for the time being made no fur
y
commanding the Twenty. third Ohio, OF
Hayes division, thus described the scene
and what followed:
General Crook lay a couple Of rods away
from the line, in place which seemed to
be more particularly exposed than any
other part of the line. Colonel Hayes Law
close by, badly bruised from his fall, and
bitterly complaining because his troops did
not charge the enemy's line, instead OF
waiting to be charged. Suddenly there is
q dust in the rear, on the Winchester pike.
and almost before they are aware young
man, in full Msj)r Generals uniform. and
riding furiously magnificent black horse,
literally t1ecked with foam, reins up and
springs of at General Crooks side. There
is perfect roar as everybody recognizes
Sheridan. He talks with Crook little
while, cutting away at the tops OF the
weeds with his riding whip. General
Crook speaks half dozen sentences that
sound great deal like the crack of a whip,
and by that time some of the staff are up.
They are sent flying in different directions.
Sheridan and Crook lie down and seem to
be talking, and all is quiet again, except
the vicious shells of the different batteries
and the roar of artillery along the line.
After a while Colonel Forsythe comes down
in front and shouts to the General: THE
Nineteenth Corps Is close up. sir" Sheridan
Jumps up, gives one more cut with his whip.
whirls himself around once, jumps on his
horse and starts up the line. just as he
starts he says to his men: 1--WE are going
to have good thing on them now, boys
and so he rode off, a long wave of yells roll.
ing up to the right with him. The men
took their posts, the line move forward ,
and the balance of the day is household
word over the whole nation
Tho advance here described began at 8
P. NJ, the men moving steadily and conf
IDENTIFY forward over the wooded and broken
ground, the scream of shells and rattle OF
musketry at the same time swelling into a
furious chorus along the whole line. Q uickly
the enemys front line was carried by a
brilliant charge and his left decidedly
turned, Gordon's division, which led the at
tack in the morning, having been outt1 thanked
and broken. Then came a pause in the ad-
vance. but not in the fight. as the enemy
opened with his full artillery force, now
largely strengthened by his captures. The
divisions we're adjusted to the new
attitude of the enemy, and then followed a
second charge more determined and more
than the first, breaking the
rebel line at all points and forcing its flying
fragments back upon the turnpike, frantic
hopeless mob Into this bowling mass
blocking the narrow roadway with wagons,
caissons and disordered troops-the artil-
lery now poured terrific fire, creating a
wild panic that speedily spread throughout
the entire rebel army. Guns, teams, every.
tn ng was abandoned by the flying enemy,
and Sheridan's victorious battalions. gain
ing momentum each moment, picked up
prisoners by the hundred and cannon by
the score. The rebel army was completely
and only darkness saved it from
total capture or annihilation. Practically,
there was nothing left for Sheridan to fight,
and excepting two or three cavalry Skin
mishes the war in the valley was ended.
PROMOTED TO BROADER GENERAL.
Colonel Hayes was now promoted to