The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1894-12-20

the Columbia pike, which bisected tbs
Union line near the center, the most
hazardous point to attack There were
3S Union guns i'll the works and in re-
serve in or near the pike in the center.
The first opposition to Cleburne's assault
was made by the brigades of Lane and
Conrade of Wagner's division. These
troops had strengthened their position
III the knoll by constructing slight
breastworks. The only signal to warn
them of the attack was the sudden
bursting into view Of a long line of
Confederates moving rapidly in perfect
order, with banners waving and bay
onets glistening in the bright rays of
the setting sun.
With yell Cleburne's men rushed
into the works, and when the defenders,
after a brave but useless resistance,
broke for the rear they followed at their
heels, shooting down and capturing
hundreds and crying out to one another,
"Go into the works and take them!"
The astonished defenders of the sec
ond Union line dared not fire upon the
assailants for fear of hitting comrades
who were either leading Cleburne's
men or mingling with them in their
mad race. Once at the rear works the
onset of Cleburnes $ men was so impetu-
GUS that the soldiers on the parapet were
literally run over, and i'll a few min
utes Or before the reserves in the third
line comprehended the crisis, Cleburnes
banners waved over them, his men oc.
cupied a breach the width of q regi-
ment, and intoxicated with triumph
were dashing ahead along the pike to
pounce upon the reserves. -"
Meanwhile Opdycke's soldiers had
been taking the breathing spell richly
march that day. Opdyclo had no orders,
except to rest his troops. Tho soldiers
were getting ready their suppers or
munching raw rations when the breast
works they had just marched past were
carried by q lightning rush of the Con-
federates who then were at their heels.
The men instinctively threw down their
handfuls Of bread and pork and took up
their weapons.
Opdycle rushed to do his part, spur
ring his horse toward the point and
shooting right and felt with his revolv-
er. After emptying the chambers he
dubbed the weapon, and after breaking
the barrel from its handle over the head
of some luckless gray jacket who had
got too far on the wrong side of the di~
viding line he jumped from his horse
and took u musket from Il wounded SOL
dier and struck this way and that until
he stood at the second line of works sur
rounded by his men. Then for an hour
in that narrow space ragged tn hottest
open field and breastworls struggle of
the war.
The Twelfth and Sixteenth Kentucky
Of Reilly's Union brigade, whose works
had been preached, and the survivors OF
Comrades and Lanes commands, who
had rallied at the reserves, lrled them
selves without orders and with al ardor
equal to that of Opdycke's followers
upon the swarming assailants, soon to
be inspired by the arrival of their COM
manding general, Stanley, who had
leaped into the saddle the instant the
first rifle report signaling that the bat
tie was ON reached his bivouac north OF
Harpeth river. Galloping into the
throng of friends and foes conmingled.
Stanley cheered on his men until pain
full wound laid him low. The Confeder-
ates Oh the right and left of Cleburne's
column catching up the advantage gain
ed by his laundering blows, Joined in
the assault to drive the wedge homo.
Stewards S belated corps, having come un
after Cleburne formed his line, found
the space too narrow between the pike
and river to accommodate it's brigades,
and these snrged to the LETT, following
III Cleburne's s footsteps and fighting ovef
the Same ground. Union officers in tie
works along the pike counted l3 separate
and distinct Confederate assaults on
their front. The slaughter in the ranlzs
of gray was frightful in the extreme
General Adams OF Stewards CORPS spur.
red his horse upon the parapet, anf
rider and steed fell there together, com
rades IN death, with hundreds who fol
lowed their daring leader Five Confed
crate generals, including Cleburne, were
killed and eight severely wounded
close contact with the Union works.
Cleburne hurried from point to point.
leading charge after charge against th9
most stubborn positions Of the enemy.
Finally one Of his subordinate officers.
General Cranberry, commanding the
brigade which had preached the second
line ON the pike and was fighting hand
to hand with Ondyckes reserves insifa
Continued on 2d pagee)