The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-06-14
ARMY OF THE
CUMBERLAND,

CUMBERLAND.
tContinued from page IL
and then johnson and Davis retreated
clear to the Nashville Pike, two miles
to the rear OF their position in the
morning. This probably occupied be-
tween two and three hours, and was
all over between and 10 o'clock.
Sheridan Becomes the storm Center.
The enemy encountered a far sterner
resistance when he began the work OF
doubling and rolling back Sheridan's
Division as he had Johnson's and Da-
vis's. Sheridan had feared Just such
from the first, and had been preparing
for 1t. The bloody repulse OF the ear
lier attacks has been recounted. Har-
dee's men, flushed with victory and
double in numbers to those under Sheri-
dan, were now sweeping in a wide cir
Gle to Sheridan's right, as they drove
Johnson's and Davis's men back to the
railroad. Hardee recalled Cleburne
from the pursuit to attack Sheridan's
right, while McCown. Withers and
Cheatham renew the attack in front.
Sheridan saw his danger. and sending
Roberts's Brigade in upon a charge
against the nearest Confederates. with
drew his line under the cover of this to
a limestone ridge covered with cedars,
and nearly at right angles to his first
position. He hoped that Rosecrans
right flank. At this point Davis's and
Johnson's men were rallied in some
numbers. but many of them continued
their retreat until they came to Thorn
ass line in the center. Sheridan soon
saw that this new position was not long
tenable, since the enemy continuing the
turning movement were directing
"a hor -, n{@
house. which would take Sheridan's
line in the rear. Then Sheridan moved
off to the left. and took up a position
on the right of Negley's Division, which
had up to this time not been attacked.
new position was q low
ridge Of limestone which faced nearly
south Of Murfreesboro. His right
faced nearly west, along the edge of a
cedar thicket and was almost directly
opposite the line which he had SO con-
f1dently assumed in the morning. This
new line was hardly taken up when
Hardee arriving with Cheatham's Dr.
vision, began an immediate attack to
paralyze the efforts for reforming and
continue the work of destruction and
generalization. An assault exceeding
in bloodiness and obstinacy even those
which had preceded it now ensued with
the logged determination of the enemy
to complete his work and insure the
complete destruction Of the Union
army. Every available man was
brought up. even reinforcements from
Breckenridge across the river. All the
artillery the rebels could bring to bear
opened fire, even guns from Murfrees-
borO across the river. They ran their
artillery up to within 200 yards Of the
Union artillery. and the duels between
the two arrays Of guns were desperate
to the last degree. Gen. Hardee was a
most resolute FOUNDER in battle, and
now he felt that the fate Of the Confed-
eracy was resting upon him. He was
met by no less fiery determination on
the part Of Sheridan and his men, who
est decentralization, since they had re-
treat had done SO without the slight
est generalization. since they had re-
pulsed every attack upon their front,
and only fell back when their flank had
been turned. Every one Of Hardee's
rapid assaults was repulsed, and it soon
became evident that the hammer was
suffering worse than the anvil, and that
the rebel morale was wearing itself out
But every brigade commander in Sheri-
dams Division had been killed. and one
brigade had lost two commanders slain
Rosecrans sent messages to Sheridan
to hold on like grim death until a new
line could be formed Eighty Of the
horses of Houghtaling's Battery had
been killed. and most all Of Hescock's
horses. Sheridan's ammunition was ex-
and as soon as he learned that
Rousseau had formed a new line he
suilenly withdrew. leaving behind him
eight pieces Of artillery which he had
not horses to remove or which had be-
come hopelessly entangled in the cedar
How ROseerans Received the News.
w. D. B., OF the Cincinnati CONNER
NJ a xx1ry H~lv
reception OF the news by Gen. Rose
Grams OF the frightful disaster on the
right:
"Oficers OF the staff were grouped
about little fires in the avenue between
the tents. They were clad in overcoats
for 1t was chill. The General Com
manding, Garesche. and Gen. Critten-
den stood near the marquee conversing
eagerly. 1t was nearly o'clock. Sud-
denly all hearts were thrilled by a
sound sweeping from the right like a
strong wind soughing through the for
est. Now q deep reverberation like
rolling in a distant cloud. Dr.
rectiy prolonged, fierce, crepitating
noise. like q canebrake on fire. Ears
never forget 1t. Days afterward the
rattle and rumble OF a wagon will star
tie and thrill you.
'The din Of battle swelled rapidly. It's
volume increased, and 1t seemed sweep
ing nearer, clearer deadlier than be-
FORE It could not be. This must be
1t cannot be disasteri
No tidings yet! Wiles and a comrade
were sent to the right to observe and
report. They galloped across the fields
and plunged into the forests. Directly
. tide Of fugitives poured out OF the
thickets-negroes, teamsters, and some
soldiers. You have seen cinders from
burning buildings flying when the con-
Migration was invisible. You could
hear the roaring flames and cracking
beams. You have said, There is q
fire. You have observed broken twigs
and leaves whirling In the air, and
though you had not felt the blast you
said. A tornado is coming There was
q conf1agration, a tornado. now rushing
through the forests In 'front.' raging for
ward with vengeful fury. These team
sters. negroes, soldiers flying before 1t
were cinders. twigs, leaves, fugitives
from the flames and tornado Of battle.
What Is the matter? Why do you
run?' Many push on needless Of stern
questioning. A cooked pistol brings a
squad to q halt. We are beaten! The
Right Wing is broken. The rebel cav
airy Is charging the rear! The enemy
Is sweeping everything before them!
Gen. Sill Is killed! Edgarton's Battery
and ma TT If CO0dSnaad'c ORC 20 pturo5i I,