“Then more fierce
The conflict grew; the din of arms—the yell
Of savage rage—the shriek of agony—
The groan of death, commingled in one sound
Of undistinguished horrors.”
Inch by inch was the lost ground recovered, as hand to hand friend and foe grappled for the mastery. General Rosencrans, by his dauntless bearing, cheered on our brave men to such deeds of valor as the pen of history has seldom recorded. Fiercely did the Union troops throw themselves in solid battallions against the fierce assailing foe. The roar of artillery, the rattle of musketry, the groans of the wounded and dying, rang horribly upon the ear.
Darkness finally closed over the scene, and, for the time, put an end to the conflict. Weary and exhausted the men threw themselves on the blood-dyed ground, to pass the hours of night, their ears filled with the groans of their dying companions.
The number of killed and wounded, on both sides, this day, was quite large.
Thus ended the old year of Eighteen Hundred and Sixty-Two.
SECOND DAY.
The New Year dawned not on faces radiant with joy and gladness; for, alas! many of our brave comrades lay stark and cold on that ensanguined field. No “Happy New Year” came from their voiceless lips—no kindly word of greeting; but, with eyes upturned to Heaven, they lay mute in death. Never again would that gray-haired father welcome his son on the threshold of home. Never again would that meek-eyed mother fold her darling soldier-boy to her heart. Never again would brother, nor sister, gaze upon his manly form—for that brave boy slept his last sleep on the battle-field of his country. Who shall say that the angels did not welcome him that morning to a Happy New Year, where the sound of battle is never heard?
No, there were no merry greetings, nor lively pealing of bells, for those war-worn men; but instead was heard the roar of artillery, and the rattle of musketry, and the groans and shrieks of the wounded and dying soldier, mingled with that thrilling and strange cry of the horse on receiving his death wound.
The fighting this day was confined principally to artillery, but at longer range than the day previous, and consequently the slaughter was much lighter.
The battle lasted through the day, with no material advantage to either side; and at night both armies retained nearly their positions of the morning.