The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-01-15

and took possession Of his wagon train.
The enemy, however, threw back large
force upon Gen. Chalmers and forced him
to retire, but not until he had killed and
wounded many men and horses, and de.
stroyed many caissons, and ambulances
About this time heavy firing was heard
still farther up the road IN the direction
of Tupelo. which admonished me that
Gen. Buford was also attacking the enc
my's flank.
OBSTINATE RESISTANCE.
"As night approached the enemy be
came more obstinate in his resistance. but
I attacked his rear with renewed energy
until 8 o'clock, when I reached a point
two miles from Harrisburg, where l was
Joined by my entire command, which halt
ed for the night. Being anxious to learn
the exc ct position of the enemy, l moved
Mabry's Brigade forward and opened
upon the enemy with four pieces of ar
tiilery. At late hour in the night, &C
companied by one of my staff officers, l
approached Harrisburg, and discovered
the enemy strongly posted and prepared
to give battle the next day. Col. Mabry S
Brigade having been on duty for "a hours.
I ordered Gen. Buf0rd to send the Ken
lucky Brigade tc its relief.
GEN. LEE ORDERS AN ATTACK.
''On the morning of the 14th Lieut.
Gen. Lee ordered the attack to be made.
and the troops were disposed for that pur-
pose. The enemy had selected strong
position on n ridge fronting an open field.
gradually sloping toward orr approach.
During the night he had constructed for
dfcations, and his position being natural
II strong, it was now almost impregnable.
The entire command was dismounted.
Gen. Roddey's troops were placed on the
extreme right, Col Mabry's Brigade on
the left, and the Kentucky Brigade, COM
manded by Col. Grassland, in the center.
Bells Brigade was formed in the rear of
Col. Mabry's Brigade as support, but
was subsequently moved forward and
formed between Mabry's and Crossland's
Brigades.
Seen. Chalmers's Division of cavalry
and Gen. Lyon, who had been placed in
command of about 100 infantry, were
formed in the rear to be held as reserve
to support the entire front line. Lieut.
Gen. Lee gave the order to advance, and
directed me to swing the right around
paired to Gen. Roddey's right with all
possible speed, which was nearly a mile
distant, and after giving him the neces-
sary orders in person l dashed across the
field in gallop for the purpose of Sc
Letting a position in which to place his
troops, but on reaching the front ! found
the Kentucky Brigade had been rashly
precipitated forward, and were retiring;
under the murderous fire concentrated
upon them. I seized their colors, and af-
ter a short appeal ordered them to form
q new line, when they held their position
THE UNION POSITION IMPREGNABLE.
t'The terrific FIRE poured upon the Ken
lucky Brigade showed that the enemy
were supported by overwhelming numbers
IN an inpregnable position, and wishing
to save my troops from the improbable
slaughter ] knew would follow any at
tempt to charge his works. | did not push
forward Gen. Roddey's command when it
arrived, knowing that it would receive the
same concentrated fire which had re-
pulsed the Kentucky Brigade. I ordered
four pieces of artillery and formed new
line on the Tupelo and Verona road
Meantime the troops on my left were hot
~ engaged. Mabry's. Bells and Fuckers
Brigades were steadily advancing. They
drove heavy line of skirTishers back to
their Notifications. from which point the
enemy opened furious cannonade and
terrific fire of small arms.
Mabry's Brigade advanced to within
so yards of the enemy's Notifications. but
Ine weather was SO oppressive tHat nun
dreds of men fell fainting from exhaus-
ton. and so deadly was the concentrated
fire of small-arms and artillery upon the
advancing column that it was compelled
to fall back. The troops thus engaged
having exhausted their ammunition, were
relieved by McCulloch's brigade, which
moved forward and covered their retreat
The enemy still remained behind his works
and made no effort to pursue.
UAhauf I nsrlork liant .Gon vaa mr..
dered me to fall back to the residence of
Mrs. Sample, and to form q new line
fronting a large open field. The position
selected was strong one. There being
no timber In front. It commanded every
approach for several hundred yards. .
NIGHT Reconnaissance.
AT approach Of darkness ordered
Fuckers Brigade to report to me mount
ed. With it moved to the right and eau
tiousIy approached the enemy's left, with
a view of ascertaining his position and
strength in that direction BY meandering
through the woods ! approached very
near his camps before be discovered my
presence. I ordered my men to open fire
upon him, when the first line Fell back to
the main body and opened upon me one of
the heaviest fires ! have heard during the
war. The enemy's whole force seemed to
be concentrated at this point There was
unceasing roar Of smaIl-arms, and his
whole line was lighted mp by q continuous
stream of fire. Not a man was. however.
killed. as the enemy overshos us. but he il
reported IA having suffered much from the
Gre of my men. and still more from their
own men. who fired into each other in the
darkness of the night. On returning tn
camp I ordered Gen. Buford to move tn
the right with his division. to occupy the
road between the enemy and Verona, and
to oppose an advance in that direction
BATTLE OF HARRISBURG.
"On reaching Harrisburg, Lieut.. Gen
Lee ordered me to take command of the
troops and to pursue the enemy. or
dered Mahry's Brigade on the Chester
willie rnsd. and Gen. Chalmerr and Gen
Bnford to pursne the enemy retreating on
the Harrisburg and Ellistown road, and
to make vigorous assault upon his rear
a. anon as II conld be overtaken, while I
moved with Lieut.-Gen. Lee tn Tupelo for
the purpose Of consulting and receiving or
ders Having learned Gen. Lees desires.
I started from Tupelo to Join nv com.
mand. Three mites from Tupeio I hea I'd
heavy artillery firing. and as I farther
advanced I could also hear the firing of
GmaIi-arms.
ION arising at Old Town Greek, !
fennd Gen. Chalmers and Gen. Ruford
hstly engaged. The enemy had selected a
strong position on the crest of q bill, but
WINS driven back to the creek bottom by
Reil's and Crossland's Rrigades. where he
was heavily reinforced, which enabled
him not only to hold his position, hut Ia
press back these two brigades. ] ordered
I'LL