The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-05-24
CnArrrn VI continued.


twenty miles, in two days march.
II now became evident 10 ali that
General Bragg had abandoned the
scene of conflict. BY somebody's
management, or Encouragement, we
were not ordered TO march until
near noon the 9Th. During that
forenoon Rousseau's, Gilbert's aud
Jackson's divisions, of McCook's
corps, were holly engaged with
Bragg's main army, while here lay,
scattered around within from two to
eight miles, two whole corps Of as
brave, reliable troops as ever shout
dered musket, lying impatiently
awaiting orders TO move on the enc
my. At last we received orders,
and we're only two hours in double
quicking to within supporting dis
lance Of our comrades -McCook's
corps-,who had by this time all be-
come engaged, as also a part Of the
Fourth Corps, General Thomas.
Up 10 2 p. M. many had been slain
ON both sides. At o'clock, just as
we arrived within mile Of the en-
gagement, only the artillery was
playing freely. General Bragg led
a ferocious charge in person on the
center OF our lines, where General
Rousseau's division maintained its
position, and hurled the tumultuous
rebels back with complete success,
our artillery blowing avenues OF
death through their serried columns,
while the musketry moved down
whole ranks Of "gray-backs" as they
rolled frantically forward toward the
federal lines. They we're compelled
90 retire from that portion Of the
field in confusion, leaving the ground
slrewn with their dead, dying and
wounded. But another charge, led
10y General Buckner, on General
Jackson's division, met with better
success, and exceeded in ferocity
anything yet exhibited in the war.
The overwhelming numbers Of the
enemy threw this division into disor-
der. Generals Jackson aud Terrill
both fell Then Generals Sheridan
aud Mitchell's commands became
engaged, and exhibited that heroism
characteristic Of western troops.
But I cannot enter into further de-
tails Of this bloody fight, as the au-
thor's designs are only to follow the
fortunes Of the Eighth Kentucky.
Thus the battle ragged, indecisively,
with only a part Of our forces engag
ed, and our whole corps ready, will
ing and waiting, within supporting
distance, like eager greyhounds
straining at the leash, praying and
pleading 10 be led on to support our
brave, battling comrades. But no
orders came. Brigade and regimen.
tai commanders, like. their men,
we're intently expecting orders aud
ever ready to spring forward at the
word At sunset the battle merged
into an artillery duel, and AS dark
ness spread It's sable mantle over
these sanguinary scenes, the Union
army repcsed upon their arms.
During the night the enemy leisure
ly resumed his retreat.
The loss in Rousseau's division
alone was nineteen hundred killed
and wounded. In all the other
troops the loss was about four thou
sand killed, wounded and prisoners.
The enemy's loss was only little
more than the federal, proving little
more than drawn battle.
On the morning Of the 9th, when
il became known that Bragg's whole
army had retreaied south. with his
long train OF well loaded wagons.
the general feeling Of chagrin and
disgust was truly great. Said our
men, after all our hard marching
and bad living, we had rather met
with defeat in battle than to have
let the enemy slip off with their
spoils without more severe punish
ment." Many officers and men
openly expressed their doubts Of
General Buell's fidelity. Some Of
the men swore il we could not have
a better department commander they
would send the present one TO hap
by Canaan after Nelson" The in.
telligent reader will not wonder at
the i'll feeling of the Kentucky sol
diers when he is reminded -that
Bragg's long train contained fifteen
hundred wagon loads Of provisions,
and other necessaries for
his army. together with several thou
sand horses and beeves, and an i'm
mense amount Of groceries and goods,
gathered from the principal towns /
Of Kentucky, and now, in all proba-
bility, they would make safe re-
treat in possession Of all this plumber.
Buell. had only engaged the enemy I
once within five months, and then /
against his wish. Thus, Bragg had
been allowed TO traverse the richest !