The National tribune., 1902-10-16

ing to the left of the Confederate line.
Gen. Lee soon discovered that the Union
advance had gained the road, and was
gradually driving back his cavalry. Gen.
Lee at once formed his two divisions in
line Of battle, Gen. Brown on his left and
Gen. Clayton on his right. Gen. Brown
completed his formation first, and imme-
diately advanced. He met the skirmish
line of the Fifteenth Corps and forced it
back some distance, these skirmishers re-
firing upon the line of battle, in which
formation the Fifteenth Corps was NOV
ing forward. Gen. Browns Division ad-
| vanced with great confidence and gal
lantry, but was met with stubborn resist
ance and finally repulsed. Gen. Ciayton's
Division advanced as soon as deployed,
but this was after Gen. Browns Division
had recoiled from its assault. Gen. Clay
tons men went forward with confidence,
but received such a terrific fire from the
Union line that they too retired discom
fited and with heavy loss.
Gen. WalthalFs Division of Stewards
Corps was also moved out On the Lick
Skillet Road, while the divisions of Gems.
| the suggestion of Gen. Lee this division
/ was thrown against the Union forces at
| the point where Gen. Brown had made his
| attack. Gen. Lee believed that by a vigor-
Gus assault the Union forces could be
! driven from their position, but Walthall's
attack was also successfully resisted and
| his division repulsed with great slaughter.
The enemy evidently expected that their
| fierce assault made upon a moving line
| without cover would end in victory. They
brought forward their artillery, and with
| muskets and cannon kept up tremendous
! fire. The Union troops held their position
and returned the fire with telling effect
Logan's line proved to be the better posi-
ton. His force stood upon the defensive
| mncb nf his lina heinO in fha fiu1bar xyhila
the Confederates, being the assailants,
came out in the open. Their losses on the
first attack were almost ten to one of the
Union troops. At the end of an hour the
Confederate lines were repulsed and gave
way. Logan's men instantly availed them
selves of the pause in the fight to gather
logs and sticks to construct a line for de-
| fense.
The enemy, however, soon rallied and
renewed the contest. 1t was a battle
mainly with the musket. Logan used no
artillery whatever. The fight came on sud-
denly, when all his artillery was in the
rear. The lines We're closely engaged, and
he did not bring any of his artillery for
ward. The enemy used one battery. The
enemy made five successive attacks, and
was five times repulsed. The fight began
at 11:3O a. m. and continued until dark
ness PVT an end to the struggle.
The Fifteenth Corps held its position
the Confederate forces were beaten at ev-
cry point and forced to leave the field.
!. During the engagement, Gen. Logan called
upon both Gems. Blair and Dodge for rein
. forcements. Gen. Blair sent Col. (after-
wards Brigadier-GeneraD VIM. w. Belk-
nap with the 18th Iowa, his own regiment
and the 32d Ohio, commanded by Mai
4. NJ. Crumbecker
, These regiments were assigned to inn
. portant positions in the line. The 32d
Ohio was posted on the right of the line.
while the 18th Iowa was placed in the
main line, relieving the 9th Mo.
About o'clock in the afternoon, Gen
Dodge sent Lieut.-Col. Jesse ]. Phillips
with two regiments to report to Gen.
by Lieut.-Col. Robert N. Adams, and the
, 18th ILL.,, commanded by Lieut.. Col Henry
E Van Sellar, and little later in the day he
sent Col. J. ]. Clark with his own regi
l ment, the 35th N. j., and the 63d Ohio
E commanded by Maj. John w. Fouts. as
e additional reinforcements. They all re
4 ported directly to Gen. Logan, and tool
: an active part in the engagement. Gen
Logan speaks in high praise of all of these
e troops sent by Gems. Blair and Dodge to
' reinforce his line, stating that their arrival
] was very opportune, as his line was press
) ed by largely-superior force of the
$ enemy.
HEAVY CONFEDERATE LOSSES,
During the night Gen Lee withdrew his
forces and posted them in q fortified posi-
t ton, outside of, but connecting with the
: works Immediately around Atlanta. The
loss of the Union forces in the battle OF
: Ezra Church was not as great as would
be expected from the number of men en-.
J gagged and the length of time occupied in
: the struggle.