“This attack now having been repulsed, the enemy were driven back, and quite a number of prisoners captured; the soldiers became much elated and commenced cheering, which was taken up all along the line. On our left our officers took it that Farlin had arrived, or that Fitzgibbon had sent word that he was going to attack at once and relieve the situation, the position of the troops facing our left being such that he could attack them in the rear. But all were doomed to be disappointed. The rebels forming on our left were troops just arriving and under the immediate command of the General-in-chief of the rebel army. They were soon in position, and their skirmishers moving through the woods in the direction of our refused left. The situation was critical indeed. The commanding General ordered all the artillery that could be brought into battery to be placed in position on this flank. The line then held by Wall on his left could not be abandoned, nor could he draw from his center, as he was being pressed all along that part of the line. But on they came through the woods. None but infantry could get through without great delay. They opened fire. Our line gave way, and fell back to the support of the batteries. Finally the batteries all opened, and like the roar of mighty thunders was the noise. The earth shook as though an earthquake was disturbing it. Fire was vomited forth as though it were from the mouth of some burning volcano. Destruction and death were dealt out unsparingly to the enemy. They started to charge the batteries, and with that hideous yell that they seemed only to employ or understand, on they came. But finally, when they could stand against the torrent of shot and shell no longer, they broke to the rear in great confusion.
“Gen. Pike saw the success, and exclaimed: 'If my other troops would only come up, or Gen. Fitzgibbon attack, the day would soon be ours.'
“But he was doomed to further disappointment. They did not come up, neither did they attack. The rebel General soon took in the whole situation. He put his artillery in battery on a hill to the right of our refused line, so as to concentrate his fire on the flank of our batteries and force them to change position. This being done he opened some eighteen guns. This forced a change in the position of our batteries, and there and then commenced, one of the most destructive artillery duels that was ever witnessed. Battery horses were killed on both sides, gunners blown to pieces by shell, officers and men mangled, Gen. Mosely, on the rebel side, had his head shot off, and a Colonel and two Captains were blown to pieces on our side. While this duel was going on the rebel General was reforming his men for another infantry attack on our left. At this moment Gen. Pike said to Gen. Lyon:
“'General, I hear guns over to our left.'
“Gen. Lyon listened, and answered:
“'Well, General, I believe you are correct. I think I heard a gun.'
“Pike then believed that Fitzgibbon had made an attack, and would compel the enemy to withdraw their forces directly on our left. But he was mistaken. No attack was made except the one by the rebels. Very soon afterwards they had completed their line, and, knowing the value of a flank attack, again assaulted in the same manner as before. They came this time with more caution than before, but with a stronger force. They opened fire on both sides about the same time. The battle was now renewed all along the line—cavalry, infantry and artillery. The Unes wavered occasionally on both sides. The left of our line gave way at first, but rallied again. Gen. Lyon rode up and down his line, cheering his men. He led them again and again against the seeming adamantine wall of rebels, and finally forced them back slowly, holding all the ground gained. By this time our center was penetrated and broken. Our troops could not be rallied for some time. The rebels seeing our confusion took advantage of it, and with the intrepidity of so many demons made another attack on all parts of the line and forced our whole line some distance to the rear. It looked for an hour as though all was lost. At one time our lines seemed to be melting away and becoming disorganized. They were rallied again, however, and formed a new line about a mile in the rear of our first. Both armies were exhausted. Fresh troops then to our aid would have settled the fortunes of the day in our favor But they did not come. Gen. Pike thought that whoever made the first attack would be successful, and ordered our line forward. They moved cautiously, but steadily, attacking and driving the enemy back. He kept falling back until he occupied his first line and we ours. Our left, however, was soon struck by a division of fresh troops, and was driven back some distance through the woods with great loss. My dear son, Gen. Lyon, here, while rallying his men, was shot through the heart and instantly killed.”
“The old man wept bitterly, and many tears rolled down the cheeks of his listeners. When he could resume he said: