He drove his spurs into his horse until his forefeet rested on our
parapet. In this position he and his horse were riddled with bullets
and fell into the trench, which was literally running with blood. The
desperation of the enemy was such that they continued their murderous
but ineffectual assaults until their men were exhausted as well as
dismayed at their great loss. Thirteen of his commanding officers fell
killed and wounded. Night forced him to desist.

"The next morning his men could not be brought to the slaughter again.
The bloody battle ended and Scoven's men withdrew to Nashua, three miles
to the South of which place Papson's army was intrenched. Wellston, in
command of about 8,000 cavalry, covered both flanks of our forces.
It was now getting along in December. The enemy moved forward and
intrenched in the front and within two miles of Papson. The weather
became very bad for any kind of movement. It rained, hailed, and sleeted
until the country around and about them became very muddy and swampy,
and at times covered with a sheet of sleet and ice. Papson hesitated to
attack and Head could not retreat; so there the two armies lay shivering
in the cold, suffering very greatly, both fearing to take any decisive
steps.

"Gen. Silent became quite impatient, believing it to be the time to
strike, as the enemy could not get away. Finally he concluded to relieve
Papson, but notified him of his order. Papson now made ready for an
assault. His command was posted as follows: Gen. A. J. Smithers on the
right, who was to assault the enemy's left, supported by Wellston's
cavalry; Ward was to support Smithers on his left, acting against
Monterey Hill, on the Hillston road; Scovens was to hold the interior
line, being the defense of Nashua. When the time arrived, all being in
readiness, the order was given. The enemy seemed to be totally unaware
of the movement. Smithers and Wellston moved out along the pike.
Wheeling to the left they at once advanced against the enemy. The
cavalry first struck the enemy at the Harden House, near Rich Earth
Creek, and drove him back, capturing many prisoners. One of Smithers's
divisions moving with the cavalry, captured two of the enemy's strong
advance positions, with about 400 prisoners.

"At this time Scovens's Corps was put in on Smithers's right, and the
advance was then made by the whole line. Ward's Corps now found the
enemy to Smithers's left, and Gen. Anderson led his command again