The Washington herald., 1914-12-20

vantage point. At the angle at shys
HIn a terrific .cross-fre was maintained.
The guns OF Gen. Darius Couch's divl-
sion OF Schofield's corps raining shell
upon It from the west. while those OF
Gen. John McArthur's division OF Smiths
corps assailed II from the north.
Gen. Darius Couchs advance lines were
within 800 yards OF Shys Hill, and while
shells from his guns leveled the hastily
constructed Confederate earthworks. his
sharpshooters prevented their being re-
paired. ~
Even Govan's presence with Chalmers
did not halt the persistent advance OF
the mass Of Federal cavalry. At 2:3o
O'Clock Wilson intercepted a messenger
from Hood to Chalmers. bearing an ap-
peal For Gods sake. drive the Yankee
cavalry from our left and rear or all Is
lost" An hour later $50 Wilson's shots
were falling in the rear Of the Confed-
crates at Shys Hin.
Negroes Fight Desperately.
At o'clock, while the bombardment of
Shys Hill was In progress. a sudden
attack was made by the Federals on
Overtons HILL at tht extreme point of
Hoods other (righO flank.
Gen. Wood had been making careful
tions there all during the morning. and
after a conference with Gen. Thomas.
determined to try his chances at an as
sault.
Col. p. Sydney Posts brigade of Sam
Bcatty's division of the Fourth Corps.
supported by Col. A. d. Streight's bri-
gade or the same corps. was to attack
from the north. Col. Charles r. Thomp
sons negro brigade OF Steedman's pro-
visional division was picked to make
simultaneous assault upon the east slope
Of Overtons.
Covered by a heavy bombardment of
the Confederate works. the selected
troops sent out a cloud OF skirmishers
and then launched themselves against
the strongly fortified hill. Shot and
shell and canister were rained upon them.
yet they never fRltered. Moving up to
the very mouths Of the Confederate can.
non. their men falling at every step, the
whites and negroes fought desperately
to gain foothold on the parapets: but in
vain.
Col. Post. the gallant leader who the
day before had won distinction by lead
ing his men against the Confederate po-
sitions. fell dead as he neared the south
ern works. The negroes for a while main
tained a stand in the face. OF a murderous
fire. sustaining a loss or nearly 500 men.
- per cent greater than that OF any
other brigade in the battle.
After a sharp and desperate struggle
the Federals recoiled. but promptly
formed in preparation for another at
tack.
COnfederRtes Flee the Field.
While this attack was in progress at
tho extreme left OF the Federal line. Gen.
Thomas was with Gen. Smiths corps in
front Of Shys lin. He saw at once
that everything was favorable for as
saUlt. Gen. Macarthur had previously
asked permission of Gen. Smith to as
sault the place with his division. but had
been refused.
Gen. Thomas ordered the attack be
deferred until Gen. Schofield should make
forward movement against the Con-
federate flank. The general rode OF to-
ward SChofeId's position.
lie had scarcely arrived there, when,
about o'clock. Gen. Macarthur. impa-
tient at what he believed a serious de-
lay. sent his mon against the hill. The
brigade of Col. W. l.. MCMiIlcn. Of the
Ninety-ffth Ohio Regiment swinging
around to the west Of the Confederate
salient, so as to come under cover Of
the guns OF Gen. Couch's batteries and
TO take advantage of a sheltering slope.
moved forward
With an impeutosity that carried all
before Il. this brigade mounted tho
heights and stormFd tho Confederates in
their works. Not shot was fired by
MCMlllen's men until they reached the
crest. Then. under a hail of bullet and
shell. they dashed in with a yell and
broke through Gen. Bates attcnuatedl I
line.
Close behind werc the other briGades
OF MCArthurs division, en- echelon. and !
further to the left the division OF Cen
Kenner Garrard. The whole Union line |
was now in motion.
The cavalry under Wilson closed in J.
rapidly in the rear. and swinging up the !
Granny White pike, stormed and cap !
tured a fortified hill on the extreme flank
OF the enemy and turned its guns upon /
the Confederates at Shys HIN which Nc !
Arthur was just then attacking. Gen. J. |
l.. CoN's division OF Schofeld dashed in |
from the west; Wood and Stesdman !
hearing the cheers from the right flank. |
again attacked the Confederates and !
drove them from Overtons IIIl
Hood : whole army was in flight I
Thousands OF prisoners were taken, fully
5000 being rounded up in the deadly !
pocket" formed ny the Federal cavalry |
gaining the Confederate rear The ground ,
was strewn with arms: whole batteries !
Of artillery We're abandoned: and until !
late the next day almost every semhIancc
OF order was gone from the Confederate I!