The National tribune., 1903-09-03
WITH THE
WESTERN ARMY.
Continued from first pass.)

advanced 1T the charge In spite or the
steep ACTIVITY and whitening fire OF ar
tDlery and musketry from the rebel para
pets, the redoubt was carried, with the bat
terry of four guns and go prisoners. While
the Second Brigade was collecting and
forming its scattered ranks, Gen. Hatch,
with the First Brigade, crossed the Hills
boro pike and again attacked the enemy
on another range Of hills, drove them from
it, and took possession of battery Of four
guns in the valley beyond. 1t was now
almost dark: the cavalrymen having been
fighting all day on foot, owing to the
roughness of the country, were very much
fatigued.
Gen. Hatch was ordered to bring up
his horses. collect his men. and bivouac
on the Hillsboro pike"
THE FOURTH CORPS.
Here are u few words from Gen. Wood
as to the action of the Fourth Corps this
day:
The entire line Of the corps was stead
lily pressed forward. and the enemy en-
gagged throughout its entire front. The
battery accompanying each division was
brought to the front, and being placed in
short and effective range of the enemy's
main line, allowed him no rest.
''As the troops advanced the skirmishers
were constantly engaged, at times so
sharply that the fusillade nearly equaled
in ferceness the engagement of solid lines
of battle.
Il pressed the corps as near to the enc
my's main line as possible without making
a direct assault. In doing so, at the same
time swinging to the left, the right of the
corps, which had during the previous por-
ton of the day been in the rear of Gen.
Smiths left to support it, passed in front
of it. This movement brought the center
% fba Kip,ha11'o niyicipp di-
rectly opposite very strongly fortified
hill near the center Of the enemy's main
line.
Impressed with the Importance of
carrying this hill, as the enemy's center
would be broken thereby, ordered up two
batteries, and had them so placed as to
bring a convergng fire on the crest Of the
hill. l will remark that the enemy's ar
tillery or this hill had been annoying us
seriously all day. After the two batteries
had played on the enemys line for half
an hour. during which time the practice
had been most accurate. l ordered Gen.
Kimball to assault the hill with his en-
tire division. Most nobly did the division
respond to the order.
with the most exalted enthusiasm and
with loud cheers it rushed forward up
the steep ascent and over the intrench-
ment.
1.-THE solid fruits Of this magnificent
assault were several pieces Of artillery
and stands of colors, many small-arms,
and numerous prisoners.
1.-The Second Division of the Corps
| (Gen. Elliott's) followed the movement
of Gen. Kimball's Division, and entered
| the enemy's works farther to the right
shortly after the main assault had been
successful.
The division in its movement captured
three uipces of artillery
Farther to the left the Third Divi-
sion, Gen. Beatty commanding, had at
tackled and carried the enemy's intrench-
ments and captured several pieces Of ar
tillery."
A CONFEDERATE ACCOUNT.
Lieut-Gen Alexander P. Stewart,
whose corps received the great shock of
battle delivered by Gen. Thomas. has left
| the following statement Of that days
struggle:
ION the morning of Dec. Is informa-
ton was received that the enemy were ad-
vancing west of the Hillsboro pike.
Gen. Walthall, whose troops were in biv-
ouac, excepting the working parties en-
gagged on the flank redoubts, was directed
to place his men under arms and man
the redoubts.
Gen. French having received leave Of
absence, his division, which was small,
was dltdcneU 10 zen. w alludll b.
Finding the enemy were advancing in
force, and that Ector's Brigade and the
cavalry were forced to retire, all of Wal
thalPs command not required for the re-
doubts was placed behind the stone fence
along the Hillsboro pike, between re-
doubts 3 and 4, on the accompanying map.
This map exhibits the position of Lor-
ing's Division in the front line Of the five
hills crowned with unfinished works, and
| oil holp ntrrdi
and French's Divisions. Each redoubt
contained section or battery Of artillery
and from 100 to $50 infantry.
! 1.-THE enemy appeared in force along
the entire line, extending around redOubts
l, 2 and 3, and as far as or beyond 4 and
8. My own line was stretched to its ut
most tension, but open to the enemy be-
tween Loring's left and Walthalrs right.
The Commanding General, who was noti-
fed as soon as practicable of the ap-
proach Of the enemy, sent me as re-en-
forcements, first, Manigault's, and soon
after Deas's Brigades, of Johnson's Divi-
sion, Lees Corps, and later the two re-
naming brigades of that division, and
was informed that one OF more divisions
from Cheathams Corps ths extreme
right had been ordered to the left AS
The object Of the enemy seemed to be to
turn our left flank by carrying the re-
doubts 4 and 5, Manigault's Brigade, on
coming up. was moved in line about par
allel to the Hillsboro pike and opposite
redoubt 4. Maj.-Gen. Johnson arriving
soon afterward, was directed to place
Deas's Brigade on Manigault's right, so
as to connect with Walthall's line. By
this time the enemy had carried redoubts
and 3, captured many of the men and all
the artillery in them, besides killing and
wounding many, and We're making for the
pike. The two brigades named, making
but feeble resistance, fled, and the enemy
crossed the pike, passing Walthall's left
Loring's line not being yet pressed, bat
terry had been ordered from it, which ar
rived just at this moment, was placed on
commanding hill, and these same bri-
gades rallied to its support. They again
fled, however. on the approach of the
enemy, abandoning the battery, which
was captured.
by this time the other brigades of
Johnson's Division had come up, but
We're unable to check the progress of
the enemy, who had passed the Hillsboro
pike full half mile, completely turning
our flank and gaining the rear Of both
Walthall and LOring, whose situation was
becoming perilous in the extreme. Their
positions were maintained to the last pos
sible moment. in the hope that the ex-
pected succor would arrive and restore the
fight on The left. Deeming It absolutely
| necessary for them to fall back, orders