The National tribune., 1885-09-03


STRENGTHENING his position. He saw that Bragg
would make a desperate effort to turn his flank,
and asked for more troops. Rosecrans ordered
Negleys Division to move over to the ielt but
at o'clock in the morning it had not arrived,
for Brasc's skirmishers were advancing upon
Negley and Rosecrans did not dare to with
draw him from his position. Beattys brigade,
only, was sent The brigade took position on
the extreme left, beyond Bai:d's Divlson. flt-
teen minutes later Baird and Beatty were as
sailed by Breckenridge and Cleburne so fnri-
ously that they were driven back toward Mis-
sionary Ridge. and Breckenridge was III posses
sion of the Rossvlle road, but only for few
moments for Thomas ordered up one of Bran
mans and one of Woods Brigades, who drove
Breckiuridge back over the ground he had
gained.
While Breckenridge and Ceburne were thus
attempting to get in Thomas's rear, Bragg
hurled Stewart, B. r. Johnson and Walker
against Palmer and Reynolds.
"The first attempt" says Thomas in his re-
port was continued at least two hours, max
ing assault after assault with fresh troops,
which were met by my troops with most de-
termined GOODNESS and deliberatiOn. Having
exhausted his utmost energies to dislodSe US,
he apparently fell back entirely from our front,
and we were not disturbed again till toward
night"
Polk was pushing on his divisions with re-
newed energy. Breckenridge was facing south,
semi-circle around Thomas but not one inch
could they move him. The stubbornneSs of his
soldiers in refusing to be moved was upsetting
ali of Bragg's calculations. Polk was to have
been the moving column and LongStreet the
pivot; in other words, the Confederate line
was to swing like a door, Longstreet being its
hinge The door could not swing because
Thomas blocked the way. Longstreet was get
ting impatient, and so was Bragg. Polk was
making no progress, accomplishing nothing,
except TO have his divisions cut in pieces.
BRAGG's ORDER.
Let every officer advance his command at
once" was the order sent by Bragg all along
his lines Longstreet had, beginning on the
right Stewart, Il. r. Johnson Hood, McLaws
and Preston-five divisions. Stewart was first
engaged His troops advanced, but were driven
back with grcatloss.
1t is past IL o'clock in the forenoon. The
pressure on Thomas is so tremendous that he
calls on ROSecrans for more troops. The Aid
whom he sends to Gen. RoSecrans with the re-
quest gallops past ReynoldsS Division. Rey-
nolds's troops are standing in such way that
this officer thinks they are not in line, and SO
informs Gen. RoSecranS He does not see that
REYNOLDS has formed his brigade in echelon;
that is. one brigade behind and overlapping
the one in front. The troops are really in line;
the officer has jumped at conclusion. Rcy-
nolds has forGled them as they stand, pur-
posely, and his troops are in position to take
part the moment ne gives the order.
THE GREAT MISTAKE.
Gen. Garfield is with Rosccrans, receiving
messages, reading them 10 him, aud writing
responses. All of his orders are clear and eX-
plicit, brief and to the point. The mastery of
Websters spelling book in his youthful years
is OF service TO him now. He knows the mean
ing of words and no officer is at loss to under
. stand Gen. Garfelds dispatches.
For the moment Gen. Garfield has other duty
in hand. and an Aid writes an order TO Gen.
Wood. An officer rides in hot haste down 70
Wood and delivers it: Tho General COM
rnanding directs that you close up on Reynolds
far as possible, and support him." L have
italicized the important words.
Gen. McCook is talking with Wood at the
moment. What is the meaning Of the order?
Brannan is between Wood and Reynolds. Thus
stands the division Davis, Wood, Brannan,
Reynolds. How can Wood close up on Reynolds
3 while Braunan stands between? How can he
support Reynolds? Only by marching in rear
of Brannan and forming behind Reynolds.
Such movement will leave wide gap be-
tween BraHnan and Davis. But there is the
order.
/" His not to reason why"
-" Would it not be well for you to move up
and close the gap?" is Woods suggestion to Nc
Cook.
Il will do So" McCook replies.
Woods Division faces left, moves out in col
mum in rear of Brannan on the dOuble-quck.
Down in yOnder woods Hoods Division of
Longstreets Corps is Just ready to move, under
Bragg's order for all to advance. Hood beholds
with glee Woods Division take its departure.
His time has come. He will drive his division
into that gapand cut the Union army in two
at its center.
HOODS ADVANCE.
Strange the happenings Bragg issuing an
order for the advance and the voluntary open
ing of that gap in the Union lines at the same
time If there had been a consultation and
e agreement il could not have been any better
for Bragg.
- There are only two divisions of Rosecrans's
west of the gap-Davis's and Sheridan's. Long
- street outnumbers them four to one. Hood
q moves out from the forest, sweeps over the
cleared field, his men in lines of brigades.
Brannan opens upon him from the right, but
there are no Union troops in front With a
wild. exuitant yell the Confederates rush on,
IS entering the gap, striking Brannan on one side
and Davis on the other. The hurly-burly
= begins. There is terrific fighting. Lytle's
Brigade of Ohio troops is moving at the mo-
ment to close the gap made by Woods with
drawal They face To the front. 4" If we are
to die we will die here" says the brave com
mander to his men. A bullet pierces his spine
but he still sits in his saddle
"Charge," he shouts, and his men obey
They have tender love Tor him. At Murfrees-
boro they made him a present Of a Maltese
cross studded with emeralds and diamonds.
They will die for him if need be. They are
few, the oncoming COnfederates many. and
they are swept back. Three Confederate bull
lets almost at the same instant strike Gen
Lytle. Capt Green and Aid catch him in
their arms. Others conceive TO fall dead,
while a third is wounded in the terrible storm.
Lay me down and save yourselves" The
words do not fall from his lips. but they read
them in his eloquent eyes. They lay him be-
meath a tree lie hands them his sword; he
would not have it fall into the hands Of his
country's enemies. Years ago he wrote Of death,
Is if in prophecy of what his own might be:
On some lone spot where far from home and
friends.
The way-worn pilgrim the turf reclining
This life and much of grief together ends.
His troops retreat and the enemy come upon
his lifeless body beholding him lying there, in
the beauty and glory of vigorous manhood,
with smiling face.
lie has given his life for his country, and he
has left behind him one poem worthy, almost
70 give him place among the immortals:
am dying. Egypt, dying,
Ebbs the crimson iife-tide fast
And the dark Plutonian shadows
Gather on the evening blast.
Let thine arms, o, Queen enfold me-
Hush thy sobs and bend thine ear.
Listen to the great heart-secrets
Thou and thou alone must hear.
Though my SCARED and veteran legions
Bear their eagles high no more