The National tribune., 1884-02-14

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low, who moved forward the sth Kentucky
and goth Mississippi making fierce attack
on oglesby.
THE BATTLE
1t would make this letter great deal too
long, and fear it would not be very intelligi-
bic, if were to describe what each Union and
each Confederate regiment did. The conflict
is in the woods. There arc no tall trees, but
underbrusli and serubby oaks. There is field
with rail- fence around it. There are ravines
and knobs. In some places the bushes are SO
thick that you can see but few feet. On such
ground the battle raged-at first rafting
fire: then the thunder of the batteries then
a deep and heavy roll from thousand muskets
at once. 0glesby holds his ground till his men
are cut of ammunition. Macarthur, with his
brigade, does the same. But Pillow has the
most men and drives them. He falls upon W.
II. l. Wallaee's brigade. on the left of Ogiesby,
who has the 18th, goth, 18th. 10Th. 49th and
18th Illinois regiments. with McAllisterS two
24-pound howitzers, Taylor's, Schwartzs and
DresseI's batteries.
The falling back of Macarthur and 0glesby
exposes Wallaces ri CHIT flank, and he swings the
zsth, 45th and half of the 49th Illinois back to
a new position, making, in part, change OF
front. There is a ridge between him and
General Pillows troops. The 5Confederates
rush TO the top of the ridge, but are swept
back. They attempt to take McAllister's guns,
but are driven. Further round, facing north,
move Pillows troops.
" ] must have re-enforeements " is the word
from McClernand TO Wallace, who sends Cruft's
brigade.
BUCKSER's ATTACK.
Just at this moment, Buckners division
comes out of the intrenchments, passing in
trout of the rlle-pits at the foot OF the hill, to
attack w. H. J.. Walaee's left-the 18th aud
part of the 49th Illinois. Wallace sees them
Two guns of Taylor's battery, which have
been firing toward the south, wheel round to-
ward the northeast and pour canister upon the
CoBfederates. Three-fourths of Floyd's troops
are falling upon McClernand's one division
They rush upon the batteries, seize several o.
Schwartzs and McAllister's guns.
To understand w H. /. Wallace's position
you are to think of Pillow with one-half o.
his troops round so far that portion of Wal
laee's troops must face west, another portion
south, and the remainder northeast, to meet
Bnckaer. Wallace sees that he must retreat
bat his troops fail back steadily, loading and
firing
GENERAL LEWIS WALLACE.
You remember that General Lewis Wallace;
division, which was at Fort Henry, had beer
sent for by General Grant. 1t had arrived
and was in rear. An officer who had become
panic-stricken rushed down the road.
q We are lost. Ne are cut all TO pieces" he
shouted.
Shut up your head, you coward said
General Wallace.
He sees that there has been disaster BJ
the rules Of military science he ought 10 re
main where lac is till ordered to advance, bu
the uproar is coming nearer. He VIII take the
responsibility.
'sThird brigade, by the right flank, march
is the order, and Colonel Thayer's men move
upon the donble-quick.
Bring Up company 4, Chicago light artil
lery," shouts General Wallace, and Captain
Woods battery goes upon the gallop, the team
sters flashing their horses.
PILLOWS DISPATCH.
General Pillow is elated. His attack IA
been successful. he has not only opened
way for the escape OF the army, bnt has won
victory. he sends q dispatch TO Nashville
/ On the honor Of a soldier. the day is OURS
/ His soldiers are helping themselves L
beef and bread IN McCiernand's camp. Il
unites his line to Buckners for second ad
vance. General Floyd has changed his mind
Instead Of escaping with the army he viii rou
/ Gen. Grant. Once more the Confederates ad
vance, but suddenly Woods. Dresser's, Willard:
/ and Tayior's batteries-tTenty-feu pieces 0
artinery-fiame in front or the Confederate;
who find themselves opposed by division q
fresh troops. In vain all the efforts OF PilIos
and Bnckner. 1t is past noon. Through til
I night the Confedcrates were getting ready
1 They have fought desperately through tn
I day. They are hungry, worn and weary. The
/ have won a Yictory-have had enough fahtin
fer one day. In vain all the efforts of the OH
GERS 70 induce them to renew the attack.
TURNING or THE TIDE.
The tide has been setting against the Unio
/ troops; it is time for it to turn. In war blow
can be given as wei as taken.
AL through the day the troops under Gen
eral Smith in front of the fort have heard tn
uproar, aud now General Grant orders him /
make an assault upon the works just south {
the fort.
Colonel Cooks brigade is directed to make
feint Of attacking the fort. Major Cavende
brings his heavy guns into position and opei
| a ferrous cannonade, under cover OF which Colt
mel Humans brigade is to advance upon IL
riie-pits on the outer ridge. If he can &c
possession Of these Lavender can plant his gun
there and rake the inner trenches.
Colonel Hansons brigade-the ID Kentucky
20th Mississippi, and Seth Tennessee-are /
the rife-pits. There are six pieces Of artiller
and another brigade behind the inner intrencl
ments, all ready 20 pour their FIRE upon the a.
vancing columns Colonel Hanson's men Il
secure behind the trunks of the great fore
oaks their rifles thrust through between I'll
logs. IL is fifteen or tweaty rods 10 the botte
Of the SLOPE and there you find the faile
trees, with their branches jnterlocked, an
sharp stakes driven into the ground Beyon
is the meadow where Launan forms his br
gade. The Contederates have clear sweep
ali the ground.
General Smith leads Humans men to Il
, meadow, while Colonel Cook moves up on II
left and commences the attack The soldie
hear far down ON the right Wallaces diYisio
driving the enemy from the hill
IL Is almost sunset The rays Of light fa
asiant the meadow upon the backs of La
mans men aud into the faces Of the Confede
ates. The advancing brigade is ia solid eolur.
Of regiments, the I'd Iowa in front, then Il
25th Indiana, the 18th and I4th Iowa-four fir
7 and unwayering lines, which throw the
shadows forward as they advance. Birgc
] flung out On each flank.
The brigade haits upon the meadow. &c
eral Smith rides along the line and inforI
them that they arc To take the rife-pits wi
. the bayonet alone. He sits firmly on his hori
: and his long gray hair, falling almost TO
j shoulders, waves IN the evening breeze. He
/; an iron man, and he leads iron men. The CO
q federate cannon cut them through with sol
y shot; shells burst above and around them wi
loud explosions aud terrifying shrieks from t
dying fragments; men drop from the ranl
or arc whirled into the air torn and mangle
there are sudden gaps-but not a man finch
!, They look not towards the rear, but towar