Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21

Burnside evidently intended his principal
| effort to be made on the left by Franklin.
| though there is some uncertainty about this
The rebel position in that quarter was more
assailable ground apparently. At all events
| he msssed there about 1000 infantry, all I'M
| der Franklin. His object was to gain possess
sion of the Richmond stage road. which here
| bore off southwark. but to secure this the
heights on its right had first to be cleared Of
the enemy. This would place him on the right
flank and rear Of Lees army and compel the
| abandonment of the entire line.
But Sumner, who held the right with the
second and ninth corps, also to assault
along the Telegraph and Plank roads lsadIng
up the heights back of the town. This move
ment on the right was only to begin, however,
when Franklin's success appeared probable,
according to Burnsde's version. 1t was here
the most formidable obstacles to success were
presented and was the last place where an
assault should have ever been meditated. Gen.
Hooker was in reserve with portions of the
third and fifth corps to support either wing as
became necessary.
OPENING THE BATTLE.
The battle begun On the left by the d.
vision of Gen. Meade Of the first corps About
a. m. he moved down the river some 500
yards and deployed toward the south to at
tack the lower eastern spur of the hills,
where it fell off into the Massaponax valley
up which the Richmond road passed. Gen.
Doubledays division followed Meade. passing
down further to cover his left flank from be-
low. Gen. Gibbons division advanced in sup
port of Meade occupying a front line on his
right. Every movement of the Union troops
preliminary to the attack, after early fog
lifted, was in plain observation of the enemy,
and made under calling artillery fire.
After getting into position Meade had to
move over open ground for several hundred
yards, then up wooded slope, to reach the
enemy's line. Jackson's corps held their
right federal left), and the point of attack was
defended by Archer's and Lanes brigades OF A.
p. Hills division. Meade's 800 veterans be-
havcd in the handsomest manner-indeed as
much may be said for all the federal troops on
this fatal day. His movements at first were
necessarily slow; he subjected to a wicked
entilading fire from the left rear which greatly
retarded his advance. But at last, getting
fairly within striking distance. Meade projected
his division against the hill, carrying the crest
III the most gallant manner, capturing two flags
and some prisoners The enemy was rapidly
reinforced. and with both fianhs in the air and
no support arriving. Meade was speedily
stopped and broken. finally retreating in con-
fusion. The confederate masses then turned
on Gibbon and drove his back also, but not
before he had penetrated thsir first line and
captured some prisoners. After the break of
Meade and Gibbon, Birneys division, held in
support, received the confederate counter
charge. REFUSING it with loss. Birney main
tanned his lines until nightfall.
The repulse Of Meade and GIbbon prac-
tically ended the offensive the left. though
heavy firing was kept up throughout the day
These two divisions, no more than IL, 900 men.
were the only troops projected against the
enemy of the 5000 infantry at hand. though
Birney made q brilliant fight. and Doubleday.
protecting the left, was maucuveIing all day
under ire, doing his work well. But perhaps