The National tribune., 1882-09-28
The Varying Phases Of a Hard
fought Battle.
REMEMBER JACKSON! !
The Fierce Onslaught on Gen
eral SickleS's Line.
FCOntinued from lost ,CeeE.l

uOU so lidDic 10 De attacked.
The new line laid out by Hooker's order was
on low ridge perpendicular to the Plank
Road, and opposite and at right angles to the
right Of Slocum's front. 1t was strongly sup
ported by the artillery of the Third, Twelfth,
and part of the Eleventh Corps, massed under
Captain Best on the heights at Fairview, in the
rear and to the left. SickIes was ordered to
fall back to it at dawn of day, Birney to lead
the way, and Whipple (Graham's brigade) to
bring up the rear. The Plank Road ran
through the centre of the position, Birney
being on the left and Berry on the right with
Whipples division on a short line in rear as
reserve. French's division of Couch's Corps
was posted on Berry's right; the other division
(that Of Hancock) remained between Mott Run
and Charlottesville.
When the movement commenced, Whipple's
division occupied the high ground at Hazel
Grove, facing the Plank Road with Graham's
brigade on the left. This was very aggres-
sive position, since it took every column that
advanced against Sickless new line directly in
flank, and, therefore, it was indispensable for
the rebel commander to capture Hazel Grove
before he advanced against the main body of
the Third Corps, which heh the Plank Road.
This hill was not quite so hi gh as that at Fair
view, but our artillery on 1t had great range,
and the post should have been maintained at
all hazards. The cavalry, who had so ably de-
Tended it, fell back in obedience to orders to
the Charlottesville House TO support the bat
teries in that vicinity, and L think one regi-
ment was sent to report to Scdgwicll. Whipple
sent off his artillery, and ordered his left under
Graham to commence the movement, which
was covered by the fire of Huntingdon's bat
terry on the right. The moment the enemy
saw that Graham was retiring, Archers brig
ade of A. ?. Hills division charged, attained
the top of the hill, and succeeded in capturing
four guns. Elated by his success Archer
pressed forward against HuntingdoRs battery,
but was rudely repulsed; for Sickles opened on
him also with battery from FairvieW He
managed to hold the four guns until Doless
brigade of ROdes's division came to his aid
The two took the hill, for Whipple had no
instructions to defend it, and he retired in
perfect order to the new position assigned him.
Huntingdons battery, supported by brigade
sent out by Sickles, covered the retreat, but
suffered considerable loss in doing so.
Wards brigade ewas then sent to the right, and
Hayman's brigade held in reserve.
Stuart, who was now in command of Jack
sons Corps, saw at a glance the immense i'm
p0rtance of this capture, and did not delay a
moment in crowning the hill with thirty pieces
of artillery, which soon began to play with
fatal effect upon our troops below, upon Chan
cellorsville, and upon the crest occupied by
Slocum, which it enfiladed, and, as McLawss
batteries also enfiladed SlOcum's line from the
opposite side, it seems almost miraculou that
he was able to hold it at all.
simultaneously with the attack against
Hazel Grove came a fierce onslaught on that
part of Sickless line to the left of the road
accompanied by fierce yells and cries of 'Re-
member Jackson! !" watch word which, it was
supposed, would excite the rebels to strenuous
efforts to avenge the fatal wound of their great
leader. 1t was handsomely met and driven
back by Motifs brigade, which had come up
from the Ford and now held the front on that
part of the line. A brilliant countor.charge
by the Fifth and Seventh New Jersey captured
many prisoners and colOrs.
Sickless men fought with great determina-
tion, but, being assaled by infantry i'll front
and battered almost in flank by the artillery
posted at Hazel Grove, the line was manifestlys
untenabIe. After an obstinate confess, the
men fell back to the second line, which was
but partially fortified, and soon after to the
third line, which was more strongly intreI ched,
and which they held to the close of the fight
McGowan's, Lanes, and Heth's brigades of
A. p Hills division charged resolutely over
hut
Best's guns at Fairview, and were driven back
by Colonel Franklins and Colonel Bowman's
brigades of Whipple's division, which made an
counter charge. Whipple's other brig
ade that of Graham, had been sent to relieve
one of Slocum's brigades on the left of the line,
which was out of ammunition. 1t held its
position there for two hours.
While this attack was taking place on the
left Of the road Penders and Thomas's brig
ades, also of Hills division, charged over the
works on the right but when the others re-
treated they were left without support and
were compelled to retire also. They reformed,
however, tried it again, and once more sue
cceded in getting temporary possession of part
of the line, but were soon driven out again.
French's division of Couch's Corps was now
brought up, and CarrOlIs brigade struck the
rebels on the left and doubled them back on
the centre, capturing 4 great many prisoners
and confusing and rendering abOrtive Hills |
attack in front. Hill sent for his reserves to |
come up, and three rebel brigades were thrown
against Carroll who was supported by the re-
mainder of French's division and a brigade !
from Humphreys division of Meades Corps, !
md Frenchs flank movement was checked. |
Then another front attack was organized by !
5he enemy under cover of their artillery at |
Hazel Grove, and Michols's, Iverson's, and |
O'Neil's brigades charged over everything, |
sven up to Best's batteries at Fairview, which |
hey captured; but our men rallied, and drove |
hem hcadlong down the hill, back to the first |
inc Sickles had occupied Mt daylight. 1t was
combat of giants; tremendous struggle be-
ween patriotism on the ,>ne hand and ven
,eance on the other.
French now tried to follow up this advantage
" again pressing against the, confederate left,
,ut it was reinforced by still another brigade,
md he could make no progress.
The struggle increased in violence. The
ebels were determined to breaiI through the
ines, and our men were equally determined
lot to give way. Well might INe Trobriand
tyle it "a mad and desperate battle" Ma
zone said afterward: "The Federals fought
ike devils at charlottesville" Ag:ain ROdes's
nd Hills divisions renewed the attcmpt, and
gere temporarily successful, and again was the
leeding remnant of their forces flung' back in