me much elated
and commenced cheering, which was taken up all along the line. On our
left our officers took it that Farlin had arrived, or that Fitzgibbon
had sent word that he was going to attack at once and relieve the
situation, the position of the troops facing our left being such that he
could attack them in the rear. But all were doomed to be disappointed.
The rebels forming on our left were troops just arriving and under the
immediate command of the General-in-chief of the rebel army. They were
soon in position, and their skirmishers moving through the woods in the
direction of our refused left. The situation was critical indeed. The
commanding General ordered all the artillery that could be brought into
battery to be placed in position on this flank. The line then held by
Wall on his left could not be abandoned, nor could he draw from his
center, as he was being pressed all along that part of the line. But on
they came through the woods. None but infantry could get through without
great delay. They opened fire. Our line gave way, and fell back to the
support of the batteries. Finally the batteries all opened, and like
the roar of mighty thunders was the noise. The earth shook as though an
earthquake was disturbing it. Fire was vomited forth as though it were
from the mouth of some burning volcano. Destruction and death were dealt
out unsparingly to the enemy. They started to charge the batteries, and
with that hideous yell that they seemed only to employ or understand,
on they came. But finally, when they could stand against the torrent
of shot and shell no longer, they broke to the rear in great confusion.

"Gen. Pike saw the success, and exclaimed: 'If my other troops would
only come up, or Gen. Fitzgibbon attack, the day would soon be ours.'

"But he was doomed to further disappointment. They did not come up,
neither did they attack. The rebel General soon took in the whole
situation. He put his artillery in battery on a hill to the right of
our refused line, so as to concentrate his fire on the flank of our
batteries and force them to change position. This being done he
opened some eighteen guns. This forced a change in the position of our
batteries, and there and then commenced, one of the most destructive
artillery duels that was ever witnessed. Battery horses were killed on
both sides, gunners blown to pieces by shell, officers and men mangled,
Gen. Mosely, on the rebel side, had his head shot off, and a