SECOND DAY.
Early in the morning the battle again opened, when both armies for some time kept up a series of maneuverings, each endeavoring to gain some advantage in position. The Rebels having greatly superior numbers, were enabled to extend their lines, so that our army was in imminent danger of being outflanked; and at one time they had nearly succeeded in cutting off our communication with Chattanooga. But General Rosencrans had anticipated this, and had made preparations to check the movement, which was successfully done, but not without great loss.
General Bragg, finding himself foiled in this attempt, now ordered a general assault along the entire line, and soon the battle raged with increasing fury.
About this time, a large body of the enemy charged upon our Battery. On, on they came, with steady front, feeling confident of victory. But our gallant men wavered not. Nobly did they face their hated foe, and anxiously watched the countenance of our brave Captain. Soon he gave the word, and instantly the brazen throats of all our guns spoke out their thunder, and the enemy went down like grass before the scythe. But onward came the foe, and at each instant our guns mowed great gaps in their ranks. Now they were seen to waver—to sway backwards and forwards, and finally when it seemed as if they must surely accomplish their object, they fell back in confusion.
Soon thereafter, a large body of the enemy were massed and thrown forward on our Brigade. For a time this assault was withstood, but owing to their superior numbers, the Brigade was finally compelled to give way.
The ground over which we retired was very rocky, and covered with a heavy growth of underbrush. Two of our guns had been disabled, by the breaking of the trails. As the enemy were closely pressing us, we were compelled to abandon these guns, which fell into their hands.
During the above charge, several of our Company were wounded and taken prisoners.
The retreat now became general, the Union forces slowly retiring towards Chattanooga.
Thus, after nearly two days’ hard fighting against a greatly superior force, the Army of the Cumberland were compelled to give up the field.
The Union loss in this engagement was, two thousand and eight hundred killed, eleven thousand and five hundred wounded, and five thousand prisoners. The Rebel loss was, from their own account, twenty thousand killed, wounded and prisoners.