the supply trains.

Meantime the enemy sallied out on the left flank of the 1st division of
the 14th Corps, driving it back pell-mell, then pushing forward, struck
the flank and rear of the 2nd division.

At this juncture our brigade was moved out from the works on the
double-quick to cover its left flank. Before it got its lines formed
the rebels were upon it, and in the battle and confusion that ensued it
was driven back, but forming again it threw up logs and rails for
protection, which it held against six or seven successive charges.

The giving back of our brigade left exposed the rear of the other two
brigades. These brigades were formed in two lines, and were now
attacked furiously in front and rear. Therefore the rear line changed
sides of its works, and thus the advance of the enemy was met from both
ways. These brigades fought heroically, and after a most desperate
engagement came out victors, severely chastising the enemy, and
capturing over three hundred prisoners. It was about this stage of the
game that the 20th Corps was brought up to our assistance, Johnston's
forces driven back, and our lines mended. Our trains would certainly
have been captured had it not been for the timely arrival of these
fresh troops, for they were brought up close in the rear of the lines
of battle, as there was no engagement with the enemy anticipated.

Finally, when the battle began to rage in all its fury, there arose a
panic among them far surpassing what had happened in the fight. The
approaching storm of the battle seemed to them to be against us, and
the conclusion was, there was no safety but in flight. Teamsters began
to flee to the rear with their teams, and ambulance drivers with their
ambulances. Each tried to outrun the rest, for all were eager to be
foremost; consequently, in the jumble and excitement that ensued, no
headway could be made. In trying to head each other off, they stuck
fast in the swamp. The drivers did not try to extricate their vehicles,
but mounting mules fled for a serener sky.

There had certainly been a mixed time with the rear gentry as could be
seen the next morning. From the time the enemy made his first attack
until dark there was an incessant roar of artillery and musketry. It
was the days of Chickamauga renewed. Our artillery did good execution,
and its deafening roar was awful in that dismal swamp.

Night ended this dreadful battle. It was fought in a low, difficult
swamp, with mud a