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Ill Faojif or Atlanta, ) Tuesday Evening. July 19. jTbe fight on Nance’s Creen yesterday, between tfgiWilliams’ brigade and Hooker's entire corps.turn* oat to have bean of more importance ioan was at first supposed, Finding Ihat they were advancing in bear? lores, old ,l Ctrro Gordo determined to Impede their ad ranee as muon as possible, until the Command or-in'Chief could ba notified and mass pro pa rations to meet tnem.Dismounting his men, and concealing them Id tbs dense undergrowth, he brought up two pieces of artillery, and hastily constructed a masked balterr upon the opposite side of the read from the direction In which they were advancing . the woods opposite their position having been bnrned recently, afforded them a fine view in their front. They had been hi position but a abort time, when tbs enemy's sklr-.mlihers were discovered, who pressed forward, closely followed br the main body, marching In column. Their skirmishers were allowed to approach within twenty paces, when the signal was given, •nd a murderous firs was poured into them at point-blank range; lbs artillery opening at the lama time with shell and cannlster upon the head of the column. Tbs enemy broke and fied in wild confusion, but vrete again reformed, and advanced in line ol battlr. Gen. Williams then withdrew about one mile sod loime 1 another ambus, cade, into which the enemy fell again; but, after wavering some time, finally advanced again, and tried to flank him upon tbe right. The First Kentucky. then In reserve, was ordered to charge them. In Older to bring off tne artillery and horses, which was done in gallant style. Led by the gallant end lmreoid McCawlst, they closed upon tne loe, and a hand-to-hand rencounter took place, which has not been equaled during the war—our men using tne buds of their guns and pistols, end the enemy their bayonets. Owing to the density of the thicket, many of tne officers were in advance ol the line, and Lteut.-Col. Griffin. commanding the teglroeDi. came suddenly upon the enemy, and, boldly advancing, demanded ibeir surrender, telling them he had a regiment witn him ; to whlcn they replied they had an army corps, and called upon him to surrender, to which he, together with his adjutant and five of his Captains were very reluctantly compelled la da ; but their captors had scarcely begun to rejoice over them, before tne gallant First was upon them, anil driving them back in wild disorder, and yellinglike so many Incarnate devils, they recaptured all of them : aiso, the bo’ir ul the gallant McLawlkt, and thereby salt; ing .he horses and artillery.Ftve times during me day were they ambuscaded, and l*«= p. Williams estimates their loss at 500 killed and wounded, and 22 prisoners. Our loss was XL, including Capt. McCawlxv, who, Gen. Williams cars, was the best staff officer he ever saw Iq any army.The following corps of the enemy are known to have crossed (he river, and on day before yesterday were located between Peach-tree Creek and the rlvsr, la the following order and strongly fortified, the right resting on llot»e;i and the left at ihe mouth of Peach-tree Creek. Palmer's, Dooos'a, Louah’s, HowAED’a, Schofield's ana lilt;*,'.%*K’d( Blais’s corps being stationed at Fining’s b.Aiio.i and Marietta, guard leg those points.McPurtsos’a headquarters were at Roswell, and Sbxkuam’s and Thomas’ opposite Soap's Feiry and Shaker’a Ford.But, ot course, tboir positions, some of them at least, have been changed since then, as Hooker bad advanced frum bis position when be encountered Williams.Gikikd's division of cavalry encamped about four mites frnm Decatur last nighl, and returned to the railroad this morning, where they awaited the arrival of Loo am1 a corps, and then advanced upon that place, which was defended br our cavalry, wtm were compelled to tail back io the direction of Atlanta.The enemy shelled the place furiousiv, ami it Is reported Ihat a large portion of the town was destroyed by fire ; out this lucks confirmation.Dodos’s corps is also moving in that direction, from which It would seem that Shxrmas is determined to push us to Ihe wail, and I seriously hops it mar be so.The enemy’s right now resit on Peach tree Creel?, near Darnnt’a mill, and running southwardly rests upon the KoeXbrldge road, at a point about two milesbelow Decatur.All are In high glee at the prospect of an framedt-ate btute, and 1 think from appearances their wishes Will be gratified within the next thirty-six hours.The gallant Cheatham wbs put In command ol Hood's corps last night, and will lead It In the ap-proar.omg oatne , and it they follow where ho leads, whtoh I do not question, jou may look for gloriousresults.Fiacb-Tkzs Cam, Tuesday, July 19.Tbe enemy advanced cautiously but steadily yesterday. Our cavalry dismounted and contested Ihe ground obstinately. Williams’ and Kxllt’s brigades were well handled, and displayed great coolness, but Steady lines or nfaeliv forced them finally to retire * aeroas the bridge over Peach-tree Creek, but not until they bad indicted severe punishment upon the foe, with small lota to themselves. Tne loss of the enemy Is thought to be about 100. Our men firedtron redoubts and ambuscades . bonce ibey were notso exposed as the enemy.FUteea or twenty of the Plrst Kentucky Cavalry, tnolUdtag tbe Usulenant-Colonel, Adjutant and other OfOoers, were captured by tne anemy, but our men Hilled to the point, recaptured the prisoners, and took fifteen Yankees.
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New York Times
New York, New York, US
Fri, Jul 29, 1864
Page 2
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USA 01 Oct 2020
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