The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1883-04-07

bred yards or more into the dense forest.
| Upon the approach of Jackson men this
/ line delivered their FIRE and reireated rap
idly. This was the opportunity of jack
son, and with a. rush and yell they swept
along the track Of the fleeing skirmishers,
and in less than ten minutes the assault
ing column struck the open ground IN
rear of the eleventh corps. The scene
that followed was indescribable. A high
worm, or Virginia fence, marked the
forest line at the point Of the open ground
reached by the eonfederates. Here there
was a momentay pause; fence and
masses Of men blended in forest gray.
A regiment of Devin's troops, the fifty
fourth New York infantry, resting in the
rear, fairly few into line not fifty yards
distant. and gave the enemy deadly vol
ley, but to no purpose. The fight was
encouraging to the leaders, and every
confederate there knew he was in the
rear of Hoods army. A volley from the
line of fence and forest, another yell.
whistling bullets and charge upon the
surprised and confused soldiers quickly
followed. And then the fight of stam-
peded teamsters, cattle-herders, mule
teers and hundreds of stragglers train
men never harnessed and pulled out
quicker; bummers Unexpectedly
smelled the repulsive odor Of burn; pow
der; browsing bulloeks caught the infee-
ton from stray shots falling among them,
and, in dangerous mass, surged into
the panic-stricken crowd, Fastening away
from the point OF attack, and which
quickly blockaded the converging roads
leading to the United States fork, a point
of supposed safety. A frightened doe is
sued from the wilderness, and bounded
southwark between contending lines Of
battle, speeded in its fight by the rattle
Of small arms.
The stampede reached the night of the
twelfth corps and the field portended dis
aster. Pleasonton rode rapidly to the
scene of confusion and directed Colonel
Kellogg to form his regiment across the
path Of fleeing fugitives and check the
pursuers. This regiment, unaffected by
the discouraging scene, moved upon the
broken and disorganized troops, passing
trains, pack-animals and artillery to the
rear, and in few minutes presented a
new line facing the victorious enemy, who
were still advancing toward the road to
the United States ford. Rising ground
al the coveted point, suggested to Pleas
anton. who seemed ready to harvest the
last opportunity Of the hour, the position
for artillery, if it could be gotten into po-
sition in time. Perceiving at glance"
says this officer, in his testimony before
the committee on the conduct of the war,
that II this rout WAS not checked the
rnt Nff IN ,hnI 10,
| Immediately ordered one of my regi-
ments to charge the woods from which
the rebels were issuing. and hold them
until could bring some guns into posi-
ton, then charging several squadrons
into our flying masses to clear the ground
for my batter. 1t was brought up at a
run, while staff officers and troops were
dispatched to seize from the rout all guns
possible
81 saw the moment was critical con-
tinues General Pleasanton, " and called
on Major keernan and gave him his or
ders. said to him Major. you must
charge in these woods with your regi-
ment. and hold the rebels until can get
some of my guns into position says | ::
/ You must do il al all cost. mention
the Major. because knew his character
so we'll, that he was the man for the oc-
casion. He replied TO me with a smile
on his face. though it was almost certain
death: Gener i, will do it, He started
with his whole regiment and made one
OF the most gallant charges Of the war.
He was killed at the head of his COM
mand, but he alarmed the rebels so much
tina. gained abou. ten minutes on the
enemy" Dark was
rapidly approaching, with an apparent
lull, when heavy masses Of men could be
seen in the edge Of the woods. With
loud yells they charged the guns. lthen
gave the command FIRE. and the ter
rible volley delivered from twenty-five
guns, at less than two hundred yards dis
lance, caused the thick, moving masses Of
rebels to s,agger. cease from yelling and
for a moment discontinue their musket
fire. But they we're in such numbers,
had such an indomitable leader, and so
great prize within their reach. that they
soon rallied and came on again with in
creased force and energy to be met
by the artillery served well and rapidly.
and with such advantage that the rebels
were never able to make a permanent
Judgment at the guns. which many OF
their adventurous spirits succeeded in
reaching. This fight lasted about an
hour, when final charge was repulsed."
Heasanton is corroborated by confed-
crate testimony. Mr.. Cameron, in the
Wtekly Tmes, upon this point. says;
" But it was now nearly dark. The troops
of kodes and Colston were shattered by
the rapidity and impetuosity of their re-
peated charges over broken country and
wearied as well. AT this moment, Gen
eral Pleasanton, who, it will be remem-
bered, had gone to the front with Sickles.
received intelligence Of what was going
on in his rear. Repairing at once to the
scene. and arriving Just at the momen,
when the last of Towards corps had
abandoned their works. he took prompt
steps to stay the tide of disaster. First
hurting forward regiment of cavalry un-
der Major Keenan,. 4 gallant Pennsyl-
vanian, who lost his lie in the charge.
pleasanton gained time to bring into posi-
ton the artillery OF Sicklcs' corps and a
battery of his own, twenty-five pieces in