Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2) : $b A complete and reliable history of the war from its commencement to its close ... together with a complete chronological analysis of the warStephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
History
Pictorial history of the war for the Union, volume 2 (of 2) : $b A complete and reliable history of the war from its commencement to its close ... together with a complete chronological analysis of the war
Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
The enemy continued to make strong efforts to regain the crest;
attacking, chiefly, the right of the Union column under General Cox.
This division was exposed to a fire directly in front, and also to the
rebel batteries on the other side, through which runs the Hagerstown
main road. At four o’clock all the reinforcements were in position, and
the order was given to either silence or take the rebel batteries, by
advancing the whole line upon them. The advance was made with loud
shouts and cheers, and the enemy’s desperate resistance was met with
fierce assaults on the part of the Federals. The rebels charged on the
advancing lines with yells of rage, but meeting such determination from
the opposing ranks, they retreated, and fell back in wild confusion.
Wilson’s division suffered the greatest loss; the General gives the
highest praise to the conduct of the Seventeenth Michigan in this
advance. That regiment had been organized less than a month; but every
man met the enemy like a veteran warrior. The Forty-fifth Pennsylvania
also signalized themselves by their bravery in the same noble charge.
The batteries across the gap still kept up a constant shower of shot and
shell upon the Union lines.
General Sturgis’ division, at about twilight, was moved forward to the
front of General Wilcox’s position; and about dark the enemy made a
sudden, sharp attack upon it; but was almost instantly driven back.
Again, at seven o’clock, the rebels made another effort to regain their
lost ground; and for an hour sharp firing was kept up between the two
sides. They were finally repulsed, and retreated under cover of the
night.
In this engagement Major-General Reno was killed, and General Cox was
placed in command. In General Reno, the country lost one of its very
best general officers. In recording the sad occurrence, General
McClellan says, “He was a skillful soldier, and a brave and honest man.”
The firing ceased entirely about ten o’clock, while the troops slept on
their arms, ready to renew the fight when the morning of another day
should dawn upon the battle-field. During the night the enemy retired
from the front of the Union army, leaving their dead strewn over the
field, and abandoning the wounded to their fate.
The right of the column had been actively engaged under General Hooker,
while these operations were going forward on the left. Hooker’s corps
left the Monocacy early in the morning, and at one o’clock reached the
Catoctin creek. As it approached the battle-ground, the greatest
enthusiasm was manifested for its gallant commander. General Cox, in his
report, gives the following list of his casualties in this well-fought
and bravely-won battle; and bestows merited commendation on both
officers and men:
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