The National tribune., 1884-09-18

l4oinc ltp. now. 10 the Confederate line, we
see Gen Cobbs Brigade in the snnken road,
the men living down close behind tie stone
wall fully protected. They wait for the given
signal.
Tpfron the shclierof the bank on the western
verge of the meadow rises the advancing bri-
rades ] see the men drop-a whole platoon
where Il shell does its fearful work. The green
grass is dotted with men IN blue suddenly
stricken down, but onward rolls tie wave TO-
wards the nights. ] beho.d line OF light and
a white sulphurous cloud bursts ont from the
base Of the hill. Every Tlaskct IN Cobbs Bri-
sya6e las famed II is q fearful slaughter. The
men in blue come 10 = sfandstlli. The men
on the right gain the shelter OF house and
barn bur those on the left arc in the open held,
with more ihan 100 cannon on the rsht, Ohe
left and in ,r0nt ali raining shells upon them,
and The thousands OF muskets blazing IN their
faces.
ANDREwss AND PAIasER's BRIGADEs.
The BRIGADE commanded by Col. Andrews,
Of the Isl Del formed behind kimbails. 1T
was con.D5sed OF the 4th and 10Th n. Y. and
the 18th Pa PalmcT's brigade was composed
of the 44ih Conn, I0Sth \. y. and l0oth Ia.
The cannon. which had secured the exact
range of the bridges, opened upon each regl-
nent sncccssively, but with the same steadi-
ness that had marked those preceding them,
Shev acpovod In the meadow; they moved
over the field and advanced almost TO the base
of fhe hill. only to be driven back with fearful
loss to the shelter Of the ridge.
HANcocKs ATTACK.
Gen. Sumner had obcyed Burnside's order
by sending out Giyisua. Ii had inflicted
little damage upon the enemy. lie now or
dered Bancocks Division to advance There
were three brigades-Zo0k's Meaghers and
Caldwell's IL was mid-afternoon before the
troops could be gotten into position. All the
while Confederate shells were bursting IN the
air above the men lying close upon the ground
beneath the bank.
Out from the two streets came Hancock's s
columns To be cut through while crossing the
canal To cover in part their advance, Gen.
Sumner directed all the batteries which could
obtain the range OF the Confederate position 10
open fire. but il was very little they could do.
Again they advance. Again Maryes, Iayiors
and Lees Hills are all aflame. Once more the
cannon on Stafford Hills thundered-some OF
the Onion shells falling short and bursting
above the Union troops. III is a brave advance.
Out on the left the men in blue are almost
up to the sunken road, standing there and
delivering their fire with deliberate aim. In
the conflict the Confederate commander Gen
Cobb Is killed while rallying his men. On the
Union side Gen Kimball has been borne TO the
rear. Nearly AZ the commanders OF bl1gadeS
have been wounded. Gen Caldwell is dis
abled Sixty-two of bis officers and 932 men
are killed and wounded. Col. Cross, OF the 9th
n. H., is wounded. The next in rank takes
command, TO be wounded the next moment,
followed by the third and the fourth officer IN
seniority. One hundred and sizty-tiVe men
are cut from the ranks, yet the survivors stand
in line and deliver their fire, but are CON-
PEELED 10 retire. A little over 5000 men
marched up the slope. but in the few minutes
2.GI3 are stricken from the ranks.
Across he bridges eallop the horses of Haz-
ards r l. and Franks \ Y batteries unlim-
IL aC..E.1 I
HowARD's DIVISION.
Gen. Sumner ordered doward's Division Il
advance. The troops were in the fight when
the streets were cleared They have been under
arms through the day with nothing TO cat, but
they advance with the same intTepidity thai
drove Barksdaie from the streets. It is a futile
effort The volleys which they fire do little
harm 10 the C0nfederates. while their OWL
ranks are decimated BY the continuous fTt
Of the Confederates.e Gen. Ransom, CON-
snandiug a Confederate division, respects tht
bravery Of the men who exhibit such endur
anae They advanced with the utmost de
ternination,7 he said.
THE 9TH CORPS.
Two divisions OF the Ninth Corps-Gettyi
and 1is's-advanced on the left Of thu
Second between the Telegraph road and III,
unfinished railroad, bat only 10 be forced back
Gen Burnside was at his headquarters Oh
windows he could see with his telescope th'
dark masses advance and retreat, the greer
grass strewn with PROSTATE forms be wa
disappointed. The battle was not going as b
hoped il would. That crest must be carried
t0-night" be said. and ordered Gen. Hooker T.
cross with his Grand Division.
HUMPHREYS ATTACK.
Hookers troops marched across the bridge
Gen. Humphrcyss Division leading Gen
s-frr4l uroarad saw HOY
vain woald be any attempt he might make
do not think that We can carry IT," he SAID
reporting in person 10 Gen. Burnside.
a Tie attempt must be made" was the re
ply
bridges Of the canal.
. You are to charge bay0nets and drive theI
from the sunken road was the order.
The snen fixed their bayonets. l beheld ther
as they lcaped mp the bank on the wester
edge of the meadow. Ii was a rapid move
rnent which quiczeRed 70 q run. They are a
most np to the Confederate lines. when again tI
line Of light CLEANS along the brow OF the hil
The front line nelts instantly away. Fiffee
minutes. and what is left Of them arc back b.
meath tbe ridge. OF the 4 coo that advance
1,70o have fallen.
NIGHT
The sun is setting At this hour a gres
number ol fugihves seeing the railroad c,
C1N&Ltti Zee 70 j sol eifl---ls a bittief. q
Lees Eill sweeps il with a direct fire. tt
Confederate aTtilierynIen bde their time, wal
-ng til Il Is crowded with men in blue; the
the shells burst among them. Gen. Lee behols
the slaughter.
i is wcli that this IS 80 terrible; we shoul
grow too fot.d Of il il il were not, he said
one 81 lis officers.
Ia battle there is little pity for those who
you are lighting: you are there 70 XIII me
The GenicGeraies were 6ghtiBg for 2n idea,-f
what tiry believed TO be just and right
were the Union men. Trey knew that la
d0zen I8ion men were going down 10 one Co
federate: knew that they had an impregnab
position, and wondered a. The attempt to tai
it,
Gen burnside determined 10 renew The 9
tempt IN the morning with the Ninth Corr
lie would lead il ia person. He issued /
orders. bRt Gen. EumneF. Gen Hooker al
Gen. Franklin demonstrated. 1t would be
terrible and useless sacrifice Of men-
SUNDAY.
Sunday morning dawned beautiful and Gle;
Gen. Burnside was thinking what he would
On the left, where Meade had fought aud
front Of the nights were thousands Of woun
ed. Humanity demanded that lighting sh0g
cease, and ti3at they shonld bc cared for. VIII
1ags were displayed the soldiers on both sid
stacked their guns and talked with each oths
the Cougederates trading tobacco FOR coffee
J ann tired Of fighting, and tbs war woC
soon bc over II II were not for our officer
said 2 (3afe1efafe