The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-30

the railroad, and the whole Of ;he Fourteenth
Corps was soon on Howard's left. Gems. Scho
field and Stanley, owing to railroad destruc
tiens and other carses. besides having longer
march. were greatly delayed. Gen. Garrart
was still IN the rear, and Gen. Fitzpatrick WI:
sent down the west bank OF Flint Rlver tt
threaten the railroad below Joneshoro. and
Gen. Biair's Corps. OF the Army OF the en-
nessee WAS sent ia the same direction. This I'M
mense combination had been directed against
Hartlee's Corps, which had been left behind tt
cover the retreat TO a point where The army
could he reunited.
Gen. Davis soon occupied the position vacated
by Gen. Blairs Corps, and directed Gen. Car
lin TO send brigade TO reconnoiter toward the
railroad upon which the Fourth Corps was ah'
rancing. The reconnaissance was made by
Edie's Brigade and though strongly resisted
by the enemy the brigade pressed forward
until commanding hill beyond Moker's
Creek was carried, from the front of which
the enemy's works could be advautageonsly at
tackled.
GEN Thomas having at this juncture reached
the head of the column Gen. Davis reported to
him the condition of affairs, and suggested
plan of operation. Having obtained permission
TO make the attack directly before the hill which
Edic had gained. Gen. Davis pushed his troops
in column to that point. and deployed for ac-
tion. Carlin's Second Brigade was formed on
the right Of Edies; Gen. Morgan crossed the
creek and connected the left of his division
with Carlin's right, and Gen. Baird formed has
division IN rear of Carlins left. which rested
on the railroad About the time that the for
nation of the Fourteenth Corps was completed,
the head Of column of the Fourth Corps ap-
peared on Carlin's left, and two brigades OF
kimhall's Division were deployed under in
structions TO push the enemy vigorously Oh The
left of the railroad.
The troops of the Fourteenth Corps desis-
mated for the attack were Carln's two Brigades
and Morgan's Division. and were formed IN
double lines, and as nearly contiguous as the
ground would permit. Morgan's Division was
about LOCO yards distant from the enemy, the
intervening space being open. swampy, and cnt
with bitches The distance to the enemy's
works in Carlin's front could not be determined,
as a dense tlicket- interposed. The enemy's
deferses were in the woods on ridge, at varl.
Gus distances from the edge of the wooded
ground, but in no case exceeding l0c yards
Morgan's Division was formed by brigades In
column OF regiments III echeion. from leit 70
right-Lums, Mitchell's and Dilworth's-and
was ordered TO assault with the bayonet alone.
at p. IA, after heavy cannonade from the
batteries on Carlin's ridge, the troops moved
forward, but owing to impediments their prog
ress was slow, and there was difficulty IN main
tanning alignments and direction. When with
in 300 or 900 yards OF the enemy's POSITION In
an open field, the whole line was halted for re-
adjustment. the ground offering some pro-
lection. The enemy's fire had thus far been
only slightly felt, except by Edie's Brigade
which was some distance i'll advance of the
troops on the right and had already carried a
projection of the enems's works and was ex-
posed to calling fire. Estes Brigade, OF Baird S
Division. was thrown forward to Edies sup
port and tcDk part in the attack which fol-
lowed. The other two brigades of Baird's
Division. were retained on the left to push the
advantage on that flank in the event of the
general assault proving unsuccessful.