Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/453

 next day. Hood drew back his right center and right wing so as to straighten the new line he had been forced to form. It was now about two miles in the rear of his original line and but half as long. He occupied the crests of closely wooded hills, with a line about three miles in length, and admirably adapted for defense.

General Thomas pursued a plan similar to that which had proved so successful the day before. Steadman on the left and Wood in the center made strong demonstrations against the enemy and the roar of battle was continuous all the morning on the left of Thomas’ lines. On the right it was comparatively quiet. Wilson’s cavalry was sent to the rear of the enemy and about four o’clock the sharp rattle of carbines was heard on the enemy’s left. Simultaneously with ringing cheers and with leveled bayonets, the lines swept steadily forward up to and over the Confederate works while Wood and Steadman on their left pressed forward and in a general movement carried all before them. For a short time there was hot work, the whole Confederate line was ablaze with musketry and cannon. The shock was awful as the contending forces met, but in thirty minutes the conflict was over, as the Union army bore down all opposition and Hood’s army was broken into a mass of flying fugitives, pursued to the Tennessee River. The results of this great victory were the capture of 8,000 prisoners, including five major generals, fifty-six cannon and a large number of small arms.

The State of Iowa was represented in this battle by the Second, Fifth and Eighth Cavalry, the Twelfth, Twenty-seventh, Thirty-second and Thirty-fifth Infantry and the Second Battery. The artillery and infantry fought under General Smith; the cavalry under Wilson on the extreme right. Of the cavalry General Hatch commanded a division which received the warm praise of General Thomas.

The Twenty-seventh and Thirty-second Infantry were in a brigade commanded by Colonel Gilbert of the former regiment. This brigade did some of the most intrepid