The National tribune., 1893-03-16

gade, of Baird's First Division, was thrown
TO his left. on Palmer's right, in response to
a call for help from the latter, whose troops
had nearly exhausted their ammunition.
Harris's and Swallows batteries were
planted near tie read, with the ION lmd-
and 92d III. in support.
An attempt of Gen. Davis to turn the
enemy's LETT flank brought on heavy en-
parement which lasted for several hours,
with alternate successes and defeats, untll
the arrival of reiniorcements enabled the
Union forces to force back the enemy The
scspe of this conflict was Vineyards farm,
extending eas; and west from the Lafayette
road. and shir:ed on all sides by thick
woods
On the other side of the chasm, on the LETT
of this position, tie left arm OF the enemys
combination against Rosecranss center and
right was heav ly laid on Davis's and Van
Cieve's Divisions, and the right fell win
crushini. !..Ice ulson Reynoidss and Paimers
Divisions. Beatty's Brigade, of the Second
Division. occupied an exposed position, and
after a severe cauflict was overwhelmed
AID driven b. elk.
The r,pulse of the right wing oi the
enemy hai been so decisive that complete
lull succeeded. This permitted the retire
ment of the First and Third Divisions on
the left of Thomas to a commanding posi-
ton on tie road 10 Reeds Bridge.
These changes were ma 7e by Gen. Thomas
in order to strengthen his left IN anticlPa-
tion of another attack upon it. On his
right. Turchin's Brigade OF the Fourth Dl-
vision. had relieved Hazen's on Palmer's
left. that he might replenish his ammunl-
ton, and Gen Palmer had also called away
from the support of the Fourth Division
batteries the 10Th Ind. These changes left the
Third Brigade King of the First Division
without any support, and when great press
ure compelled call for help, Gen. Reynolds
was obliged 10 send the 92d ILL.,, the last
regiment defending his artillery.
When Hazen had secured ammunition he
moved his brigade to the left Of King, hold
ing his left refused upon the Lafayette road.
By this time Van Cleve had been driven
from line, and King and Hazen engaged the
enemy as he wheeled to double up the flank.
Crosses Brigade, of Palmer's Division, was
sent to their support, but had scarcely moved
to the right before the enemy in heavy
force fell upon Cruft and Turchin. After
standing for few minutes under destruc-
tive fire. the five brigades were borne back
with broken lines, and in this emergency
Gen. Thomas moved the Third Division
from his left to his disordered right. This
oppertune change, the quick reformation OF
Pafmer's and Reynolds's Divisions, and the
effective use of several batteries of artillery,
arrested the disaster. When the enemy was
repulsed on the main road, his forces moved
through the chasm, and were met and driven
back by Negley's (Second) Division, which
had meanwhile advanced from Widow
Glenn's, and by the Third Division, which
wheeled upon him from the vicinity of Kel-
lys house The whole right of Gen. Bragg's
army had been broken and repulsed, and
his central forces, though mere successful in
maintaining lines, had suffered equal losses.
His left. beyond menace to Wood and
dash at Negiey. had provoked no conflict.
At the time that the Third Division had
been moved to the right in the afternoon,
ScribneIs Brigade, of the First Division, was,
with Starkweatheris Brigade, advanced to
JOhnsons left in support while Kings Bri-
gade, of the First Division, was left on the
road TO Reeds Bridge TO hold the ground
previously occupied by two divisions. These
changes were only temporary, however, and
as night approached, Gen. Thomas selected
ground Tor new and more advantageous
line and designated the respective positions
of the FIVE divisions which he had handled
during the day. But before Jollnson's Di-
vision and the two brigades of the First
Division of the Fourteenth Corps could be
withdrawn, they were attacked by two fresh
divisions of the enemy, and q severe night
confie; ensued, which lasted for an hour,
resulting in heavy losses on both sides and
final repulse of the enemy.
The indecisveness of tho battle made certain
O renewal Of the conflict on the morrow, and
both sides began preparations. In forming
new line in the evening Gen. Thomas did not
change the order of the divisions but modified
their relations with the view to greater COM
pactness and strength TO the front that should
be offered to the enemy. The order from left
70 right was Baird, johnson. Palmer, Reynolds,
aud Brannan. Baird's Division was well re-
fused. facing the east; Brannan's was on the
right, in echelon. The battlefront coursed
round the northeast corner of kely's farm
crossed the Lafayette road a little south of his
house and extended thence to the southwest
Bairdis. Johnson's, and Psimer's Divisions were
east OF the road, and Reynolds's and Brannan's
were west Of il. This line was much shorter
than the one maintained during the day, and
allowed greater strength and heavier reserves
The general formation was two brigades from
each division. in double ranks on the battle
front. and one brigade from each in reserve.
SECOND DAY.
About midnight Gen. Rosecrans held a con-
ference with his corps commanders and other
general officers and gave orders relative to the
battlefront for the next day. Gen. Thomas
was to maintain his line as formed in the even
ing. The changes ordered included the trans.
fer of the Second Division (Negley's) from the
right of the Third TO the left Of the First this
transfer having been requested by Gen. Thomas
IN anticipation that the enemy would renew
his effort 10 turn bis left flank.
Before daylight the divisions designated for
new positions, except Negley's had made the
required movements, while those in position
as far practicable, coverered their fronts
with logs and rails