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MILITARY RECORD 41

force was somewhat surprised but from 6
o'clock A. M. until dark, the battle raged all
along our lines (five miles in length) with the
greatest fury. Buell had not yet reached us.
The enemy greatly outnumbered us and the
slaughter was of the most horrid character and
magnitude on both sides. The enemy had
driven us slowly back during the entire day,
though our men contested every inch of ground
they passed over with a zeal worthy the highest
admiration. Nothing could be heard during the
entire day but a continuous roar of artillery
and musketry. About sun down we succeeded
in checking the enemy's advance and after a
most awful battle between our artillery and that
of the enemy in which we fearfully worsted
them, the battle closed for the day, both armies
lying within gun shot of each other. During
the night Buell's force came up and formed in
our front in a masterly manner all along the
lines. At daylight we made an attack upon the
enemy .... Then came on the bitterest
contest ever witnessed on this continent. But
the enemy could not stand. At 4 o'clock P. M.
we had him completely whipped and driven
pell mell in perfect rout. The day is over, thank
Q-od, and the entire rebel army in the West
badly, fearfully, routed and all cut to pieces
and completely demolished. We captured
nearly all their artillery and small arms in



	MILITARY RECORD 41 force was somewhat surprised but from 6 o'clock A. M. until dark, the battle raged all along our lines (five miles in length) with the greatest fury. Buell had not yet reached us. The enemy greatly outnumbered us and the slaughter was of the most horrid character and magnitude on both sides. The enemy had driven us slowly back during the entire day, though our men contested every inch of ground they passed over with a zeal worthy the highest admiration. Nothing could be heard during the entire day but a continuous roar of artillery and musketry. About sun down we succeeded in checking the enemy's advance and after a most awful battle between our artillery and that of the enemy in which we fearfully worsted them, the battle closed for the day, both armies lying within gun shot of each other. During the night Buell's force came up and formed in our front in a masterly manner all along the lines. At daylight we made an attack upon the enemy .... Then came on the bitterest contest ever witnessed on this continent. But the enemy could not stand. At 4 o'clock P. M. we had him completely whipped and driven pell mell in perfect rout. The day is over, thank Q-od, and the entire rebel army in the West badly, fearfully, routed and all cut to pieces and completely demolished. We captured nearly all their artillery and small arms in