The Lexington intelligencer., 1902-04-12

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Negley was on his way. The con-
federate forces pressed forward with
great spirit and determination against
Thomas's line, which in the early
part of the day was the sole point of
conflict. Gen Thomas sent the sec
ond and third request for reinforce
ments, and Gen Rosecrans replied
that he should be supported if it
required the entire army. Brannans s
reserve brigade and Van Cleves
division were at once dispatched to
his assistance.
This movement Of troops to the
left, where the battle ragged, from
points in the line where there was no
lighting, was calculated to disturb
the continuity of the formation. The
battle increased in fury as the day
advanced. More artillery was brought
into action and the crash of musketry
was incessant. Still, the storm Of
war broke increasingly upon the
heroic column of Thomas, as though
the whole confederate forces were
arrayed solely against the left of
Rosecrans' army; but soon the tide of
battle approached the center.
Gen Thomas again sent mes
senger-Capt. Kellogg, A. d. c.
for reinforcement. This officer in.
formed Gen. Rosecrans that Gen.
Reynolds's right was exposed and was
likely to be turned. Orders were at
once sent to Gen, Wood to close up on
Reynolds Ger. Davis was ordered to
close up on Wood, and Gen. McCook
was ordered to close up his whole
command to the left with all dis
patch.
Thus it happened before II O'Clock
had arrived that Gen. Rosecrans had
ordered more than one-third of his
entire army to move to the left and
close in the support of Gen. Thomas,
who up to that time had borne the
entire brunt Of the battle.
This movement of Rosecrans's CEN
ter and right wing was no doubt
looked forward to by Bragg; he no
doubt made a heavy concentration
upon Thomas to bring about this
result.
1t seems that Gen. Wood mlsunder-
stood the order to close up on Rey-
nolds; instead of doing this he with
draw his division from the line of
battle, passed to the rear Of Brannan s
brigade and took position to support
Reynolds. This movement left gap
in Gen Rosecrans's line of battle.
The enemy, in heavy force in front,
became aware Of this fact, and took
instant advantage Of it.
A heavy column was moved rapidly
forward, striking Gen Davis Is division
in front, flank and rear, throwing it
into confusion. Gen. Woods right
brigade was attacked before it cleared
the space, and was driven from its
position. Gen. Brannan's right suf-
fered the same misfortune, and two
of his batteries, to make their escape,
drove furiousy through Van Cleve s
division, throwing it also into con-
fusion,
While the confederate assault
through the breach was progressing
the entire left wing of Bragg'S army
rushed forward to attack Rosecrans' s
moving troops.
Gen. Sheridan's S division, moving tc
the support of Thomas, when they
saw the enemy's advancing line, turn
ed and charged upon it with great
gallantry, but was thrown into dis
order by an attack upon their flank
and were forced to retire before
superior numbers. The center of
RoSecrans'S army was penetrated and
broken; two of Davis's brigades, one
Of Van Cleye's and the whole OF
Sherldan's division were driven from
the field.
Gen. Bragg with a victorious column,
now occupied position and was
actively waging war between the
right and left wings Of Gen. Rose.
crans's army. He undertook to pui
in practice the tactics OF Marlborougi
at Blenheim; namely, falling first
upon the right wing and then upor
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