The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-05-24

to Chaplin River. During his absence
the burningly-thirsty troops 'smelled
the water" as they say of horses, in
Chaplin River, and Rousseau ordered
the right Of his line forward half q mile
in hopes OF getting possession of that
stream. The enemy suddenly appeared
in force in front, and placing three hat
teries in position opened fire. Rous-
seau moved the remainder Of his troops
up abreast Of his line, and ordered
Loomis and SimOnson to open on the
batteries. Gen. McCook came back, and
not then seeing any infantry, he di-
rected the batteries to cease firing TO
save their ammunition. He next or
dered a portion Of the 33d Ohio to
pass into the woods in front in recon-
noissance. and. II possible, to gain bet
ter ground for an alignment. He also
brought up Gems. Jackson and Terrili,
marked their line Of battle and ordered
battery to be posted on the line, di :.
recting Gen. Terrill to advance skir-
mishers cautiously down the slopes Of
the hill to the creek, SO as to cover the
water. The enemy made no opposition
to this, and Gen. McCook rode off to
the right OF the line.
McCOok's line, az 1t was formed, had
Rousseau's Division with its right near
barn to the right of the Mackville and
Perryville road, and extended to the
left on a ridge through a cornfield, in
which the corn was cut and in shocks,
to the skirt Of wood occupied by the I'd
and SD Ohio. The right OF TerriIrs
Brigade of Jackson's Division held the
wooded hill overlooking Chaplin's
Creek. and his left formed a crotchet
to the rear. Starkweathers Brigade
and Stones and Bush's Batteries Of
Rousseau's Division were posted to the
left and rear of Jackson's left, on high
ground. and Websters Brigade Of jack
sons Division was on the left OF Rus.
sells house and in the rear Of Rous-
seau's center.
The Attack Begins.
A half hour after McCook had ridden
away to the right Hardee came through
the woods in command OF three divi-
sions under Cheatham, Buckner and
Anderson, about 10000 strong He first
struck Jackson's Division. whose new
troops were thrown into disorder and
Jackson himself killed at the first fire.
TerrilIs Brigade, almost all new re-
cruits, was driven back. and Terrill
tried his best to rally them on the bat
teries. but fell mortally wounded. When,
however, Hardee's swarming forces
reached Starkweather's Brigade they
met such heavy fire Of musketry and
artillery that they were driven back.
Hardee reformed the broken troops un-
der cover Of the woods and crests, and
headed q second assault with fresh
troops. which were In turn driven back
by Starkweather and the batteries. The
assaults were repeated until Stark
weather and the batteries were forced
to retire for want of ammunition.
Heavy columns OF assault struck
Lytle's and Harris's Brigades. but were
handsomely repulsed and repeatedly
until these troops also had to retire for
want Of ammunition. McCook galloped
back at the sound OF the firing. and did
his utmost to restore his lines, sending
| OF his Aids to the nearest commanders
for, assistance. One Aid met Gen
SchOepf. who directed him to make
his request Of Gen. Gilbert, which he
did with the statement that."McCook's
whole command is engaged, his reserves
are all In line, and the safety OF his
corps Is compromised" Gilbert heard
this report calmly, but was not large
enough by any means to rise to the
exigency OF the situation. He could dc
nothing without orders from Gen. Buell.
to whom he referred the Aid. McCook
| was therefore left to fight It out un-
aided the best he could. His batteries
] did magnificent service. and held back