The National tribune., 1885-08-27

Bragg's troops were getting into position
with Forests cavalry in advance, Walkers
Division following.
Gen. Thomas sent Croxtons Brigade OF
Brannan's Division against Forrest. Crox-
ton drove him half mile but was stopped
by Ector's Brigade, sent in by Walker
whereupon Thomas sent IN the whole oi
Baird's Division, driving Walker.
This was not heavy fighting, but IN ad-
vance on the part of Bragg to discover what
there was between his right wing and Ross
vile. He had hoped to fiud at least but a
small force blocking it, which he would
sweep away as if il were only cObweb. Ii
he had been three hours earlier he would
have had little opposition, but he was toe
late.
THE AFTERNOON.
Bragg settled himself for serious work on
his right. He must obtain possession of the
Lafayette road. He orders up Cheatham's
Division to Walkers aid. Cheatham ad-
vances on Baird. striking his left flank
throws two of Baird's Brigades into con-
fusion, capturing his artillery and driving
him back toward Kelly's house.
Thomas calmly beholds the discontinue
A messenger rides to Reynolds and Johnson
who are south of Kelly's house, and where
Cheatham's men, in their exultation, with
wild yells are proclaiming their success; but
they find themselves whirled back in con-
fusion by Reynolds and Johnson and forced
to leave behind the cannon which they had
captured from Baird.
Stewards Division of Braggs army hastens
to take part in the melee-C!ayt Browns
and Bates's Brigades, but one after the other
are driven back before the tremendous fire OF
Reynolds, Palmer and Johnson.
In few minutes 400 of Clayton'S men
fell; Brown and Bates advanced close upon
Thomass lines but were turned back with
great loss.
Two o'clock The battle began to roll up
the creek. Hood and Johnson (Confederates)
advancing against Van Cleve and Davis,
Bragg sent in part of PreSton's Division
against Wood.
From 2 till the contest is sharp. Van
Cleve is driven, and Negley is brought down
from the right TO take his place. That was
ut 4:30.
Hood, Johnson and Preston were driving
on with so much vigor that Rosecrans's line
was pushed back nearly to Widow Glen's
house, around which the rebel shells were
constantly exploding; but Sheridan came
down from the extreme right, and stopped
the onward movement OF tne COnltueTsaIeS.
In the center, where Van Cleve was pushed
back, Palmer's flank had been Jeff exposed ;
but Hazen moved in and made the line good
once more. He planted 20 cannon on a
knoll, which poured murderOus fire upon
Cheatham, who was moving up to fall upon
Reynolds.
The sun sinking behind Lookout threw
it's departing beams over the murky field.
The Union troops supposed that the conflict
for the day was over, when Cieburne and
Preston made asudden attack upon Johnson s
and Baird's Divisions, but without avail ;
they were driven and night closed in, both
armies lying down upon the field to renew
the struggle in the morning
Bragg had not accomplished what he had
set out to dO-to crush RoseCrans's left and
gain the Lafayette road.
Every division sent against Thomas had
been rolled back as the pillows of the ocean
are hurled from the rocky lodges along the
shore
The battle began on Kelly's farm, and
there the last shots were fired as night set
in. So ended the first day.
To be continued