563
c ^
FROM A PHOTOGRAPH TAKENIN THE SUMMER OF
1884.
On the FederalWallace’s and Hurl-
left center W. H. L.bnt’s divisions were
mm
m
'£lt
massed, with Pren-
\
tiss’s fragments, in a
position so impregnable, and thronged with such fierce defenders, that itwon from the Confederates the memorable title of the “Hornets’ Nest.”[See pages 504-5, 510, and 588.] Here, behind a dense thicket on the crest ofa hill, was posted a strong force of as hardy troops as ever fought, almostperfectly protected by the conformation of the ground, and by logs and otherrude and hastily prepared defenses. To assail it an open field had to bepassed, enfiladed by the fire of its batteries. No figure of speech wouldbe too strong to express the deadly peril of assault upon this natural fortress.For five hours brigade after brigade was led against it. Hindman’s brigades,which earlier had swept everything before them, were reduced to fragments,and paralyzed for the remainder of the day. A. P. Stewart’s regiments madefruitless assaults. Then Bragg ordered up Gibson’s brigade. Gibson him-self, a knightly soldier, was aided by colonels three of whom afterwardbecame generals. The brigade made a gallant charge; but, like the others,recoiled from the fire it encountered. Under a cross-fire of artillery andmusketry it at last fell back with very heavy loss. Gibson asked that artilleryshould be sent him; but it was not at hand, and Bragg sent orders to chargeagain. The colonels thought it hopeless; but Gibson led them again to theattack, and again they suffered a bloody repulse.
The brigade was four times repulsed, but maintained its ground steadily,until W. H. L. Wallace’s position was turned, when, renewing its forwardmovement in conjunction with Cheatham’s command, it helped to drive backits stout opponents. Cheatham, charging with Stephens’s brigade on Gibson’sright, across an open field, had been caught under a murderous cross-fire, butfell back in good order, and, later in the day, came in on Breckinridge’s leftin the last assault when Prentiss was captured. This bloody fray lasted tillnearly 4 o’clock, without making any visible impression on the Federal center.But when its flanks were turned, these assaulting columns, crowding in on itsfront, aided in its capture.