head
of column of the left wing struck the rebel army under command of Gen.
Jones, who had again been placed at the head of the forces collected
together since Head's defeat at Nashua. His forces were now commanded by
Harding, Biggs, Chatham and Hamden, the latter commanding his cavalry.
The Union forces, under Gen. Somers, discovering that a large force was
in their front, deployed two divisions and attacked, but could not drive
the enemy from his position. Somers hastily constructed earthworks and
held the enemy in his position until the right wing, or a portion of
it, could come to his relief. The word was soon sent to the General
commanding the right wing, and the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps were
dispatched at once to Burton's Cross-roads.

"They arrived early on the next morning, having received the order late
at night. The General commanding the Fifteenth Corps, which was in the
advance, at once formed his leading division (Gen. Charles Ward's) and
charged the enemy's works. His men went on the run over the works and
right into his trenches, the General commanding the corps leading and
leaping his horse over the parapet in the midst of a shower of deadly
missiles. Our men captured the rebels who were in their front, and a
general stampede of the enemy followed, and in a short time Jones and
his whole command were hastily making their escape across Mill Run.
The march was not any farther impeded, and Sherwood's army marched to
Goldsburg, where, as before stated, they joined Scoven, and thus ended
the hard fighting of Sherwood's army.

"The President and Vice-President had been inaugurated, and the message
of the President was so mild and conciliatory, breathing forgiveness and
charity in such an honest and earnest spirit, that many thought it might
have some influence on the feelings of the enemy in respect to the Union
in which they had lived and controlled so long to their own advantage.
But no; the more he expressed sentiments of respect for their opinions
the more bitter they became, denouncing every expression of kindness as
an insult to their people; so that it was determined there should be no
let-up in any way whatever--no armistice nor rest, but when the movement
commenced, to let that end the rebellion before ceasing. The country
was now up to this point, and all were ready and fully prepared for the
result.

"Gen. Silent had now directed Papson, as well as Sherwood, to keep
their cavalry at work i