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

broken regiments were finally rallied,
poured into the triumphant enemy vol
lev which staggered him, then, adv anciDg,
recovered much of the lost ground, and
held it pending Crooks expected attack.
This attack is thus described by one who
participated in the battle with the Nine
teenth Corps:
eat three O'Clock the hour of defeat for
Early struck. To our right, where l could
not exactly see from the rolling nature OF
the ground, we heard q mighty battle yell,
which never ceased for ten minutes, which
told US that Crook and his men were ad.
vancing. To meet this yell there arose
from the furthest sweep OF the isolated
wood, where it rounded away toward the
rebel rear, the most terrific continuous roll
of musketry that ! ever heard. 1t was not
8 volley, or succession OF volleys, but an
uninterrupted explO. ion, without q single
break or tremOr. As / listened to it
despaired of the success Of the attack, for it
did not eeem to me possible that any troops
could endure such fire. The captain OF
our right company, who was 80 placed that
he could see the advance, afterward de-
crlbed 1t as magnificent in it's steaGiness,
the division which accomplished it moving
across the open fields in single line, with
out visible supports, the ranks kept well
dressed in spite of the stream OF dead and
wounded which dropped to the rear, the
pace being the ordinary quickstep, and the
men firing at will, but cool'y and rarely"
Colonel Hayes brigade belonged to the
division making the movement just de-
scribed, and therefore bore leading part
in this glorious affair." In the course of
Crooks advance it occupied the extreme
right of the h1e, and crossing a swampy
stream reached q position covered by an
almost impenetrsble growth of cedar.
I'M AZ: had
with HAYES brigade in front. The brigade
then advanced rapidly, covered by a light
line of skirmishers, driving the enemy's
cavalry. Crossing two or three open fields,
exposed to scattering fire, the brigade
reached q slight elevation where it came
into full viaw of the enemy, who opened
upon it a heavy fire of musketry and arti!-
lery. Colonel Hayes now started his COM
mand forward on the dOuble-quick, and
dashipg through Q thick fringe Of under
brush came upon deep slough about fifty
whole front of his brigade. The bottom
was treacherous cOze. and the dark water,
now churned with flying bullets, was on
the nearer side about ten feet deep. just
beyond was q rebel battery thinly sup.
ported, the slough being itself deemed
sufficient protection. The moment was
critical one. Should the brigade under
take to go around the obstruction it would
be exposed to a terrible enflading fire,
and losing the enthusiasm OF the charge
would certainly be discounted, and the
part. Colonel Hayes hesitated not an in
stant catching the situation at glance, he
gave the word forward" to the men. and
then the example as he spurred INTO the
horrible ditch. Horse and rider sank nearly
out of sight. but the horse swan until he
struck the spongy bottom, then gave q
plunge or two and then sank helplessly in
the miro. Dismounting, Colonel Hayes
waded to the further bank, reckoning with
his cap to his soldiers some OF whom sue
ceeded in joining him. Many others in at
tempting to follow were killed or drowned,
but soon enough had passed to form q nu-
cleus for the brigade, and then, at Colonel
Hayes command, he leading. they climbed
the bank and made for the guns. But the
enemy, dismayed by so bold q charge, had
withdrawn his battery just in time to save
it, and now confusedly hsd. In q few
minutes Colonel Hayes reformed his bri-
gade on the further side of the slough and
resumed the advance. Then followed q
succession of hBilliant charges as the enemy
attempted at various points to rally his
broken lines. In one of these charges
Colonel Duval was wounded and carried
from the field. devolving the command
upon Colonel Hayes, VINO, though his ad
jutant general was shot by his side, and
M n dropped all around him, rode through
it sill as though he possessed a charmed
life.
The division dashed forward in pursuit
with all the vigor that victory inspires.
the passage of the slough was the crises of
the fight, and the rebels Row broke to tho
rear in utter confusion. Then the cavalry,
which had followed the movement of the
right, swOoped down upon them like hur-
ricane let loose and scooped them up by
regiments Tho writer already quoted,
VINO witnessed this movement from point
further to the left, thus describes it:
"At the distance of half mile from US,
too far away to distinguish all the grand
movements and results, the last scene of
the victorious drama was acted out.
Crooks column Hayes division leadingl
crowned them. We could see the long dark
lines moving up the stony slopes, We could
see and hear the smoke and clatter of mus
kerry on the deadly summit. then we could
hear our comrades cheer of victory.
Early's battle was soon reduced to
simple struggle to save himself from utter
ront."
Early now fell back to Fishers Hill, eight
IN lies south OF Winchester, and there rock
up q position between the North and Man
sauutter mountains, which was regarded
the strongest in the valley. Sheridan fol-
lowed up sharply, and on the twenty-second
impetuously assailed this new stronghold.
The tactics of Opeguan were repeated, the
Sixth and Nineteenth Corps attacking the
enemy's right and centre, and Crooks be-
ing sent around to the right to envelope his
right and rear. Colonel Hayes division led
this latter movement, and by making de-
tour through series OF ravlnes arrived at
a point on Early's flank deemed unassail-
able. ClamberiDg up the steep eide OF
North mount tain, which was covered with
an almost impenetrable ENHANCEMENT of
trees and underbrush, the division, upper
ceived, gained position close to and in
rear of the enemy's line, and then charged
with perfect fury, insomuch that the rebels
scarcely made any resistance at all, but
fed in utter rout and terror, leaving many
guns and hundreds of prisoners to the vic
torious soldiers. Meanwhile, Early's centre
had also beef broken, and his army precipi
lately left the field, disordered mob.
Colonel Hayes was at the head of his col
umn throughout this brilliant charge, not
onl " directing the movement, but by his
example of personal daring greatly added
to the enthusiasm and impetuOsity OF his
men.
HAYES MEETING EARLY.
Nearly a month selapsed, during which
Early thoroughly reorganized and largely
his forces. Sheridan, after raid
ing the valley with his cavalry, had with
drawn to a point near Cedar creek, Elk
miles below Fishers Hill, and had gone on
a flying trip to Washington, devolving the
upon his senior corps commander.
General Wright. The troops occupied high
ground. Crooks Corps being in advance,
Emory's Nineteenth on the right and about
a mile in the rear of Crooks front line, and
Wright's Sixth on the right Of Emory's, the
extreme right being covered by a division