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[241] drilled in manoeuvring, although never having been under fire, they have all the self-possession which the want of familiarity with danger sometimes imparts, and they march boldly under the fire of the enemy's battery. But the moment has arrived for the Confederates to show themselves. A portion of Armstrong's brigade bears to the left in order to support that of Whitfield, which, being strongly posted behind the wall, opens a terrific fire of musketry against the assailants. The latter do not yet allow themselves to be held in check, and get within one hundred and fifty yards of their adversaries without having responded — to their fire. But they cannot proceed farther, and throw themselves fiat upon the ground in order to offer a less conspicuous mark to the terrible fire that is being directed against them. The danger is not lessened, and their leaders, becoming convinced that the enemy's position is impregnable, give the order for retreat. The Confederates seize this opportunity to assume the offensive, and, pursuing the Unionists with shouts of victory, they press them close, trying to prevent them from forming again on the heights which they have so imprudently abandoned. But the Indiana soldiers reach these heights before them, and, turning round quickly, send them a few volleys of musketry which compel them to fall back behind the station to prepare for a new attack. Coburn, becoming aware of the numerical superiority of the enemy, decides to beat a retreat at once. He sends word to his train to proceed in the direction of Franklin, and orders Colonel Jordan to bring on his cavalry to sustain the movements of the infantry. But the Confederates hold their prey in hand, and are not disposed to let it escape. Forrest, as soon as he sees the enemy's right bring on the fight, is seized with a happy idea: he orders Colonel Starnes to attack the Unionists' left with two of his regiments at the extremity of the hillock situated east of the station, and, taking the five other regiments along with him, he makes a detour by way of the Lewisburg road in order to bar the retreat to the Federals. Starnes promptly executes the task assigned him. At the moment when Coburn is preparing to retire, the two regiments he has stationed on the left are vigorously attacked. The half-battery which supports them precipitately leaves the field of battle: its example is followed by
Philadelphia, Jos. H. Coates and co., 1883.
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