The National tribune., 1885-10-01

| taking possession OF the lines OF railroad be-
tween there and Nashua, forcing Rosenfelt
away from his base of supplies, and, eventually,
| to
| DESTROY AND CAPTURE HIS ARMY.
Gen. Papson, taking in the, situation, ordered
one of his divisions, with Straiters tired cav
airy, at once on aud across the road in rear OF
Cherokee Run, holding two of the main cross
ings, at the same time notifying Rosenfelt of
his position and the reasons for it. In the mean
time Rosenfelt had concluded that the infor-
nation given him by Mrs. Houghton was in
part correct. Having said this much to her,
| she asked to be permitted to go into Chatterau-
gus. which she could do by crossing over in the
rear of the army to the Mission House road.
Her request was granted, and she started on
her way. She had not travelled far before she
| heard cannonading. She was then sure that
the battle had begun. Rosenfelt was greatly
perplcxcd Finally he agreed to Papsons sug-
gestions, and ordered Critsnger's Corps to the
left, and to join on to Papsons right. By this
time he could hear the sound of artillery in the
distance, but held McCabe believing that the
attack would most likely be made on that road
and on his right. Gen. Papson, seeing that one
brigade of the enemy had advanced tothe cross
ing on Cherokee Run, did not hesitate, but
ordered Gen. Anderson to attack it, which he
did at once. The contest was sharp one, but
the enemy were driven back very much broken
up, with very heavy loss in killed and wounded.
Papson then threw Palmerston's Division in on
the extreme left, on high ground covering the
road and crossing well with artillery. In the
afternoon a strong force under Polkhorn ad-
vanccd and furiously attacked the two diviS-
ions under Anderson and Palmerston. The cOn-
test ragged for over an hour.
PaimerSton was driven from his position, and
our cavalry, which had been posted on his.left,
was broken into fragments. Gen. Anderson
changed front with left brigade and struck Polk
horn in flank and forced him back on his main
line. Falmerston was now supported by Sher
Inns Division and his former position retaken.
BY this time Longpath had come up on Polk
horns left and had assailcd violently Critsin-
gers left, and after severe struggle, in which
the loss was great on both sides, our lines
gave way and tho rebels came through and
down the slope of the hill in perfect swarms
Papson, quietly and coolly as if in church.
threw portion of his corps into the breach and
checked the advance. He then adusted Crit
singers line and moved at once against Long
paths right and broke il, driving it back in
great confusion. He then advanced his whole
line and
DROVE THE ENEMY BACK
for some distance through the woods onto his
reserves, and in this position night closed III
on the two armies. During the night Rosen-
felt came up with McCabcs Corps, which was
now posted on a ridge to the right of Critsin-
SCl. pCihE utic tlc ldu hlo COT Cobi-
manderS assemble at his Headquarters now
near Papson. When all were together the
manner of the enemy's assault was stated and
various views given as to his number. Some
contended that his whole army was engaged
some his right wing only.
Gen. Papson was OF different opinion.
He thought that the days battle had been
fought on the part of the enemy by his advance
merely; that he was marching rapidly, believ-
ing he could pass around our left flank on the
Mission House road, by way of Roseyile, into
Chattcraugus without much of a struggle,
thinking our army all to be on the Bridgeton
and Fayette road that in the morning they
would attack with their whole force; and for
that we should prepare during the night. Ros
enfet agreed that all arrangements for great
battle must be made during the night. He di-
rected that the lines be adjusted and made rs
compact as possible, and all be ready to receive
their assault by daylight in the morning. He
then sent out to find his cavalry commander,
Straiter. When found it was ascertained that
part of his command had retreatcd to Rosevile.
The General ordered him to get his COM
mand together that night and move by day
light in the morning around our left, and on
the right of the enemy, and attack his right
flank to dismOunt his men and fight them as
he would infantry, and to fall back on Palmer
ston's left and there take his position, and to
maintain it if possible. He directed McCabc to
refuse the right of his line and to close up on
the left with Critsinger. Papson he directed
to take command of the left and center and to
advance if he should drive the enemy in the
direction of the Mission House road, so as to
get the enemy across it if possible The two
armies could be heard during the entire night
moving into different positions. The move
ments of the artillery sounded at times as if it
was coming into the others line. Hospital
parties could be heard on both sides in search
of tho wounded The fiobt of fho cnr1J
be seen for miles on either side, where the men
were getting their scanty meals and perhaps
their last one. Rosentelt was busy all night i'll
giving directions for the morrow. lie rode all
along his lines during the night
"Biggs intended to make the assault at the
opening of day the next morning. POkhorn
was to move around and make an assault on our
left and center with one wing of the rebel army,
composed of two corps. This attack de-
layed. however, by heavy fog that hung over
the field, lasting for some two or three hours,
giving Gen. PapSon time to strengthen his lines.
At length the breathlesS suspense came to an
end. Bolenbroke with full division had
moved around on Papson's left flank (our cav
airy failing to get round as ordered) and made
a most desperate assault This was taken up
by successive Confederate divisions toward the
center with a view of getting possession of the
road to Chatteraugus. Gen. PapsOn was equal
to the occasion, and Bolenbroke was soon
HURLED BACK IN UTTER EoUT,
two of his Generals kilied-Hemer and Desh-
ling-and many of their men and officers killed
wounded and taken prisoners.
In the Samo manner were all attempts to
break Papson's line ab0rtive. While these
things were going well and Papson's command
proving itself the superior of the enemy, roll
ing hiEl back in dismay. a terrible disaster be-
fell us on the right, which endangered the
safety of our whole army. In the morning
very early, Rosenfeit, III passing along the lines
of his army, discovered that McCabe was
stretched out like a string, with no solidity
whatever in his line; that Davies with his di-
vision was entirely detached from the main
line and isolated and Critsinger was also
stretched over entirely too much ground. He
at once ordered the proper dispositions to be
made, which was not attended to until late and
i'll changing these divisions the movement was
attended with the most fearful results to our
troops. A gap being opened i'll oar front by the
withdrawal of one of our divisions to the rear
the place not being closed up, as it should
have been. On its discovery by the enemy,
Longpath threw Hoadley's Division in at
this point, at the Same time asSaulting our
right flank with Bcrtrain's force By this
movement and assault on our flank our whole
right wing was utterly disoEganized and de-
moralZed. They rushed in every direction.
The commanders seemed to be stampeded and
worse demoralized (if such thing could be-
than even the men, The woods swarmed with
The whole right became a confused mass, min
4