Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1896-06-05
81 :, , . ], Though impa-
IL LOOKED tient 10 begin, Jack
Eacv Rnf- son held back tho
u n; -, =, " vryS n ~, - -

It -ooked tient . Il besin, jazz
q Easy. But son he'd back ths.
f'N7 q y \ ~ a 4 Y 'SS n, signal two hours ~
Chancel louisville. That was to give his
battalions and brigades time to breathe
and prepare for the grand charge. So
far we'll DONE Jackson was ready. But
there is nothing sure in war. The right
Of Rockers army was held BY the Elev-i
enth corps, General O. @. Howard, and
the right Of the Eleventh corps by the
division of General Charles Devens.
Jackson struck Dsys5..s' men first. Dew
ems picEots lay hsif q 1.lile i'll front Of
the main line. During thcd day, frequent
" from II until 3 3 'c.rls I. the hour Of
Jackson's attack, uhose p.tkets had re-
ported NH enemy on their front. In the
earlier portion Of the day the enemy had
been stuart's cavalry masking the real
movement-that IL. making false mo-
tions to throw The Union pickets OF
their guard Very carly that morning
Hooker had passed along the Eleventh
corps line, and returning to his tent sent
word to Howard at 8 80 a. m. to make
some changes in his troops and works in
anticipation Of attack from the west.
Howard was alert at midday, and there
was no end Of warning that something
unusual was afoot. Devens' pickets and
trench guards were at their posts ready,
although possibly overconfldent OH &C.
count of the indifference Of their supe
riors Devens asked for re-enforcements.
but mono were sent him. Between and
o'clock, or about the hour when jack
sons leading regiments reached the,
point for attack, Devens' pickets, on
that very spot, were assailed with vigor.
Union scouts Immediately passed out
side Of the picket line. and there came
upon a strong force Of Confederate cav
airy, with horse batteries, drawn up for
battle This was reported to Howard.
Devens' right flank rested upon lit
tie north and south breastwork occupied
by Won Gilsa's brigade. General Doles'
Confederate brigade was opposite Won
elisa, and as soon as it got toswOrk
found that the surprise was by no means
complete. 1t was received with u heavy
musketry fire besides canister and she'll.
Even Won elisa g gkirmishers attempted
to withstand that vast horde. Devens
made brief and plucky but useless
fight. The towards, Of whom there are
always some, tho nuncombatants and
wounded men rushed back along tho
line, creating "A soale, aud tho Confed-
crates on the tanks Of the brigade which
was brought to n halls ty Won elisa fell
will, suddenness upon the Third division,
rear as we'll as front, forcing it back
upon the next, which also gave way I'M
der the double pressure Of retreating
friends and pursuing foes. d.
4 When Mt length Devens did retreat,
with the intention Of rallyirG upon tho
Third division, that body was involved
III tho ,etrograde, and there was no
soundness anywhere, save in the distant
rear. Meanwhile many Of the Eleventh
corps regiments had made gallant indi-5
vtdnal fights, losing y third Of their
numbers killed and wounded. Some of
Deyens' mon fought their way back to tho
rear through lines Of Confederates that
had swung around to intercept them. So
desperate, IN fact, was the resistance
Of the Eleventh corps that the whole,
evening was congumed by jackson S bat
tie march Of two miles.