the combined army of Biggs with his
single corps. Gen. Gregor came back from the retreating column with his
command, as also did several other brigades. They were reconstructed
hurriedly and formed in line in support of Papson. He soon distributed
these troops and strengthened his flank. He fell back to a ridge across
the road over which the enemy were moving, and here reformed his lines
and encouraged his men. Gens. Anderson and Sherlin were gathering and
putting in line anywhere that they could do so the men who had been
lost from their commands on the right. The rebels were now advancing
on Papson with the assurance of an easy and triumphant march upon
Chatteraugus, where they expected to make prisoners of Rosenfelt and
his entire army. Papson was still receiving companies and regiments
returning to the field after finding that a portion of our army stood
its ground. Batteries that had been abandoned on the field by McCabe
and Crit-singer in their stampede were gathered and put in position with
other artillerymen to work them. Gen. Gregor was moved to the right with
his returned forces (who redeemed themselves at once), he hurled one of
Longpath's divisions from a hill on Papson's right, where a flank attack
was intended by the enemy. By this success we gained the position that
entirely protected our right. Papson now with his small force was in a
strong position. The fighting continued on different parts of our line.
Palmerston had been again driven from the left and Gen. Anderson again
sent to his support. He fell upon the enemy with his command and drove
him back with great slaughter. Palmerston was again re-established, and,
with his position strengthened, could now hold it. The battle raged with
great fury the full length of the line, and never did a Spartan band
stand more firmly than did our gallant men. At four o'clock like a
mighty tempest in all its most terrible fury did the musketry and
artillery of the enemy burst forth upon Papson's devoted columns, the
entire rebel forces moving down upon him in solid phalanx. Our forces
replied with all their artillery. The roar of the artillery, with its
blazing fire, the rattle of the musketry on both sides, equaled any ever
heard or witnessed. Solid masses boldly marched up in front of Papson's
lines, where they were literally mowed down by our musketry and
discharges of shrapnel and canister from our batteries. They would
recoil and then move forward again into the