The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-05-29
SAVING THE NATION.
IC0ntiaued from lst paqe.l

the farm OF Mr.. Newklrk, crossing the little
stream coming down from Rulets
lie moved 10 gain the high knobs between
Rulet's and the Boonsboro road. Having
crossed the brook. he faced west, drove ia the
rebel skirmishers. and assembled the knoll.
All Of Longstreets batteries opened upon
him, but his men moved round the hillock,
through the holiows and marched well up 20 the
rebel lines with little loss. General Meagher
with his Irish brigade was on the right,
the tip of its wing touching Rulets garden.
Caldwell's brigade was on the left, reaching
down nearly TO the Boonsb0ro turnpike.
Br0oke's brigade was in reserve.
Lonestreet's batteries were on the hills
around DR. Piper's, and his troOps-a part of
fhem-in the pathway the upper end of which
was held by ID. ii. Hill His line was so
formed and such was the ground, that Cald-
well. instead Of swinging round upon Sharps-
burg was obliged TO fall in rear of Meagher
aud became a second line instead Of a part of
the first.
1t was ii o'clock when Richardson moved
forward. French was pouring in has volleys
north of Rulcts and Meagher. climbing the
knobs and rushing up the ravines. came upon
the enemy in the road. Il was a repetition, or
rather a continuation. Of the terrible scene
then enacting q few rods further north, hun
dreds falling at every discharge. The courage
OF the Irish brigade did not flag for an instant
They fought till their ammunition was ex-
the road aud held it. Again and again
Longstreet underworld to recover it, but
without success. General Richardson was
wounded and carried from &c field. General
Meagher was bruised by the falling of his
horse. His men, wern, exhausted, half their
number killed and wounded, were Withdrawn.
He retired by breaking ranks and fling to the
rear, Caldwelrs troops filing to the front at the
same moment ana taking their places. 1t was
done as deliberately as If it were dress
parade.
LoNGsTREET's ATTACK.
The ground towards the Bconsboro pike is
very much broken. There are numerous
hillocks and ravines, cornfelds, stone walls
and fences Under shelter of these Long
street stealthily moved a division TO attack
Caldwell's right flank in the cornlield west of
the sunken road. 1T was part of the force
attacking French. BrOokes brigade went upon
the run UP the rayine and filled the gap
between Caldwell and Kimball, and held it
against all the assaults of the enemy.
On Csldweils left the sunken road winds
among the hills. LOngstEeet still held that
ground Colonel Barlow reconnoitered the
situation. He commanded the 6Ist and Gath
New York regiments. and ordered them to
march by the left flank. They pushed out into
the fields towards Sharpsburg, gained the
flank Of the enemy still holding Il e road and
forced three hundred TO surrender. He also
captured their colors.
There is once more lull in the battle. Long
street is making preparations to regain his lost
ground. Having failed on French's right by
Rulet's he renews the attack on the left. But
Colonel Cross, Of the 9th New HampshiTe,-who
has watched with eagle eye the Indians of
the Western plains, who has tracked the
grizzly bears Of the Rocky Mountains, who
is brave as well as vigilant.-discovers the
movement IL is the same which has been
successful against Sedgwicl1. The left of Cald-
well is far advanced towards DR. Piper's waen
Colonel Cross discovers Longstreet's troops
making a rapid movement TO gain a hill in his
rear. He changes front and moves his
regiment TO gain the hill The two lines are
within close musket range. They make par
allel movement, firing as they run. 1t is an
exciting race. Colonel Cross cheers his men
and inspires them with his own untamable
enthusiasm. He gains the hill, faces his troops
towards the enemy, and delivers yolley. 1t
checks their advance a moment, but, rallied by
the officers. they rush on, charging up the hill
Cross. re-enforced by the slst Pennsylvania,
which has followed him, gives the word
"At them, boysi" He leads the counter
charge. BIS troops rush down the hill. The
Confederates break in confusion. Another
stand Of c0lors-thOse Of the 4th North Caro-
lina-and more prisoners are the trophies.
Again L0ngstreet tries todriTe back the CEN
ter and regain the road; and again Barlow re-
almost up 70 the Hsgerstown turnpike, and
gaining DIR. Piper's house. Nincents and Gra-
hams batteries gallop 10 the hills south Of Ru-
let's, wheel into position and reply to the bat
teries on the hills along the turnpike north
of Piper's But Jacksons batteries BY the
church enflade the ground west of the sunken
road. Hancock. who now commands Richard
sons division, can hold his ground, but he can
not advance.
Thus, by i o'clock, Lee has been pushed
from his advanced lines on the right and on
the left he still holds the rocky lodges in
the woods behind the church, and maintains
his position along the turnpike and holds the
lower bridge. where Burnside is endeavoring
70 force crossing
FRAEKLIE's ARRIVAL.
IT was past ] o'clock when Franklin's CORPS,
with Smiths and slocum' divisions arrived.
Iii had marched twelve miles. The soldiers
were weary. Slocum's division relieves Sedg-
wick, while Smith occupies the ground near
Rulet's house. There is a consultation Of off,
GERS IN the woods IN rear Of Slocun's position.
Franklin wishes to attack with ali his force
Twins brigade and the Vermont brigade are
already engaged General Mcclellan rides
across the Aatietau. comes upon the field and
directs the commander 10 hold his position, but
to make no attack.
Most Of the officers disagree with him. They
believe that the hour has come when decis
I've dow Should De gwen lie reserve 6Ftll
lery is ia the fields close by. General Hunt
commanding it, could have one hundred can.
non laundering in a few minutes On The
other side OF the Antietam is Porter witt
10000 men. III Mcclellan were TO bring then
across 70 support Franklin, they could breal
the Confederate line between the Dankel
church and Sharpsburg
How little does Mcclellan comprehend tina
the great opportunity has arrived
BURSsIDE's ATTACK.
By looking at the map printed in my las
letter, you VIII see that q road leads southeas
from sharpsburg to the Antietam, where ther
IS a stone bridge with three arches The bridg
IL twelve feet wide and one hundred and flt,
In length. General Mcclellan has ordere
General Burnside TO carry the bridge cross til
stream and attack Lees right flank. The ives
bank il steep. There is grove Of oak trees,
Limestone quarry and stone wall, where Gen
eral Toombs has placed his brigade 10 pou
deadly volleys upon the bridge. He has fou
pieces Of artillery.
Burnside places line Of batteries along I'll
eastern bank, and all the morning the canno
throw solid shot and shell at the Confederate
making great noise but doing little damag,
lie forms his troops with Sturgis' division 0
the right, Wfieoxs in the center, Rodman's 0
the left, with Cox's division, commanded b
Crook, in reserve.
You are to carry the bridge gain ID
heights beyond, and advance along their ere
10 Sharpsbufg and reach the rear Of the en-,
nv WAS the order Of Mcclellan To Rurrlsid