The National tribune., 1908-12-24

had thus to prepare for more serious
| work. and to depend upon myself. for
| nothing could be seen Of the Fifth
Corps, which we, had expected to find
at Bristoe instead Of the enemy.
"Gen. Caldwelps Division, when the
firing began, took the double-quick step
| with the heavy loads, and Joining us as
soon as possible, took position on Gen.
Hays's left, with the exception of Col.
Miles's Brigade. which was ordered to
the right to the support of the artillery.
The action had come upon us so sud-
IDENTITY that Lieut. Browns Battery, sep
arated by long interval from the in
fantry, maintained itself on our ex-
treme right, and poured most destruc-
tive fire upon the flank Of the enemy's
line OF battle during his advance and
retreat.
"Col. CarrolPs Brigade came up after
Gen. Caldwells Division had passed
him. and took position to cover our left
flank on q line perpendicular to the
railroad
Gen. Gresss Cavalry Division also
arrived and took post behind our line.
His batteries were with the infantry
column during the attack of the enemy.
but by some misunderstanding passed
Off the field toward Brentvilie. and did
not participate in the repulse!"
Lee Masses EIis Army.
From where Gen. Warren stood ne
could see the endless columns Of Leo
pressing up from Warrenton for a
crushing blow. and the position of his
command became exceedingly critical.
ing hosts blverys much as Lee had
looked doWn upon McClellan.s army
at Antietam. and very strangely
Warren was fEconfident that Lee,
would not be- able to attack him
that night The vigorous manner with
tnI. \
the heads OF Lees columns had infused
"a spirit OF caution into the enemy. and
a reluctance to advance until they knew
better Just what was In front of them,
and had reeonnoitered the position. Lee
hurried upsand did his utmost to press
Hill and Ewell forward. but night came
on before he coald make his disposi-
tions FOR astacks1e This was what War
rem had caiCuIoted upon. Hill made
one tentative Rdvancs on wafren's
right. but the latter had foressen this,
and had massed artillery there. which
blew away the head OF Hilrs columns
and stopped further movements for the
night. Warren sent urgent messages
to Gen. Sykes to return and help him
out of his difficulty. Il was long
way before Sykes was overtaken. but
he Immediately started back toward
Bristoe.
In the meanwhile Warren became
much more anxious as to his left.
where the enemy was massing most
threateningly. Some batteries which
the ensmy opened in that direction
were promptly silenced by guns which
Warren assembled in anticipation. As
darkness settled down the cannonading
gradually ceased. Sykes came up at
this time and the Generals had q brief
consultation. Warren was very anxious
to fight 1t out there. and thot 1t was
an excellent opportunity for Meade to
have the battle which he desired, but
after consideration 1t seemed as If tho
this purpose, and about . o'clock War
rem withdrew deliberately, taking with
him his wounded, his prisoners, and
captured artillery.
A Rough, But Brilliant Day.
Altho the Second Corps had lost less
than 500 men, most Of whom were in
Webb's Division, II had been one of the
hardest days in the history of
that Corps. There had been swift, ex-
cited marches to get together and avoid
being crushed; there had been shocks
and surprises In running against the |
enemy at unexpected places. Among |
these unlOoked-for encounters was the
startling and hurtful good morning"
which Stuart gave CaidwelPs Division |
as it was cooking breakfast on the hill !
top.
Several times during the day It look |
ed as II destruction was imminent, but |
it was aysrted by high generalship and |
the best of soldiership. There had been
five hours fighting, which threatened
at any time to become of mortal des.
peration, since the rest of the army
seemed to have abandoned the Second
Corps to its fate. Then had come a |
complete victory. and the unmolested
from the field, followed by
a wearisome night march to oyertakel
the rest Of the army. But these rudef
experiences were we'll worth the laurels
won for the Second Corps and its bril-
liant young commander. The sbarp
of Lee and his subordi-
mates in being thus frustrated in deal
Ing o blow which promised so much. |
was accentuatedc by the Confederafe
loss of more than 500 killed and wound-
ed, among, them being three general
ofhcers. ABOUT ou0 prisoners. five guns,
losses to be suffered with no more re-.
suits. and with SO little harm done to
the Union army. There was as much
fault finding and, recrimination as was
usual among thai Union Generals when
, promising, moYement miscarried. The
Jonfederatsy ,;oI haal @ equal cause for criti-
cooperate with Hill as was expected.
Lfe,s Cavalry only came up
:ardily, and Hampton was even more
It fauiI as N
syLee's Retreat.
Gen. Less report puts the best faeeI
IN the matter as usual, blaming no
me. and quite moderate in claiming the
,xtent OF hfs success. He says:
Heaaquarters' Army of Northern Vir-
"Bristoe Station, Oct Is. 1863.
''Sir: I have the honor TO inform Won
hat after my letter of the 13tf. Instant
he h army continued its movement, with I
nemy and intercepting his line of re- G
reat He was marching by a numberl
4 parallel roads leading directly q
oward Washington, while It was neces. 4
airy for US to make considerable de-
ours. We were consequently unable to G
% him any considerable damage, as $
lis retreat was rapid. 1t is easy for him /
o retire under the fortifcations OF '
Washington and Alexandria, and we t
hould be unable to attack him ad-i Il
: an.ageously; y is impossible for us n
destitute of provisions for men or {
nimals. and ths railroad bridges onl o