“He attacked as ordered, but found the enemy in strong force and very stubborn. The battle continued on this part of the line without any very material advantage to either side. At about three o'clock Gen. Papson was ordered not to delay his attack any longer, so at this time the movement of the whole army against the enemy commenced. Papson attacked in double column, Gens. Anderson and Sherlin leading the assault with their divisions. In the center, at the first assault made on the rifle-pits at the base of the ridge, our forces were not successful, and falling back for a short distance they readjusted their lines, changed some of the regiments, and moved forward again to the attack. This time the movement was as if it were machinery in motion. “When close to the enemy a bayonet charge was ordered, and against the foe they drove the instruments of death. The men who were in this deadly charge will never forget it. As they came with bayonets fixed and directed, the enemy, seeing their determination, poured a deadly fire into their ranks. Many a brave man fell, but on the lines swept over the trenches. Here the rebels were killed and wounded in such numbers that they lay one across another in great numbers. The enemy fell back, giving up the trenches to our victorious troops, and retreated to their main works on the top of the ridge. “Our troops moved right on up the slope of the ridge, facing a shower of shot and shell and musketry most destructive and deadly. Anderson and Sherlin led the way. Commanders of corps, divisions and brigades vied with one another as to who should reach the crest first. For a time it seemed doubtful if any of them would succeed in accomplishing it. Our artillery was in battery playing on the enemy from an eminence on the plateau east of the town and between the two lines. Finally the guns of the enemy were disabled, some dismounted, and others driven from their position. Our whole line then made one desperate effort to scale the ridge and charge the rebel works. With a mighty shout and 'Come on boys!' from Sherlin and Anderson, the heights were scaled, and amid sickening scenes of blood and death our brave boys stormed and captured their breast-works. Their center was pierced and broken. They wavered and finally retreated down the opposite slope of the ridge. Gen. Anderson seized one of our flags, mounted the rebel works, and held it up so that our whole army might see it, and they did. The sight of the old flag on the rebel works on Middleton's Ridge, filled our men with joy and enthusiasm. They rushed forward, shouting as they went. The men who had been shut up and nearly starved, wept with joy unspeakable.