Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1862-04-18

a fervor which knew no bounds. Foot by foot
the ground was contested, a single narrow
strip of land dividing the opponents. Not
having had time, in their hasty departure from
their camps, to bring forward the hand stretch
ers so necessary for the easy transportation of the
wounded, such available means as were at hand
were adopted, and the soldiers outstretched
blanket received his crippled comrade, as the
only available method by which he could be
carried to the rear. Many who were manned
fell back without help, while others still fought
in the ranks until they were actually forced
back by their company officers.
A STRUGGLE ON THE LEFT WING
Finding it impossible to drive back the Gen.
ire of our column, at II o'clock the enemy
slackened their fire upon it, and made most
vigorous effort on our left wing, endeavoring to
out-f1ank it by driving it into the river bank
at point about one and half miles above
PIttsburg Landing. This wing was under
command of Gen. Hurlburt, and was composed
of the l4th, 32d, 18th and 57th Indiana, the
9Th, 2lst and 9th Illinois. Fronting its entire
line, however, was a brigade under General
Sherman. composed of the 54th, 57th aud 18th
Ohio. Taylor's 5ih Ohio Cavalry were also in
Gen. Hurlourt's division, but, from the iul-
proper nature of the arms with which they
were provided, they were not able to do one.
half the execution the men desired
With the first demonstration of the enemy on
the left wing it was to be seen that all the fury
was being poured out upon it with the deter
mination that it should give way. For nearly
two hours sheet of fire blazed from both
columns. and | could liken the explosion of the
small arms to nothing save a cane brake in a
state of confagration. The Mississippi Rifle
men, large and well organized body of good
marksmen and desperate men, fought with a
valor that was only equaled by those who re-
cAIvpd their tIpprrnp md roturpod If will
an energy which assured them that many of
those who had endured the fire of Doueson were
in the ranks before them.
In this quarter it seemed, for the period of
nearly an hour, thatthe enemy would succeed in
driving our forces. Three different times they
drove our men slowly before them, until they
came in sight of the river and were plainly Wis
ible even to those on the main landing below.
THE GUNBoRT TAKES HAND.
While the conflict ragged the hottest in the
quarter we are writing Of, the gunboat Tay lor
passed slowly up the river to point directly
opposite the force of the enemy, and poured in
broadside from her immense guns. The shell
went tearing and crashing through the woods,
telling trees in their course, and spreading hav-
&C wherever they fell. The explosions were tre-
mendous, and the shell falling far inland, most
probably from their direction in the very heart
of the secession force, must have told with a
startling effect. At any rate, attribute the
failure of the foe to carry the left wing, in a
great measure, to the well directed shots of the
Taylor. The land force might ha We been able
to have successfully kept back the immense
weight of the enemy, but, from my observation
of the matter think they were greatly aided
by the we'll directed shots from the gunboat
ANOTHER CHANGE IN THE BATRLE
Up to three o'clock, it will be remembered
the bat lie had ragged with fury which defies de-
scripuon. At every point the rebels had found
every attempt to break our lines unavailing-
They had striyen to drive il our main column,
and finding that impossible, had turned all their
strength upon our left wing. Fooled IN that
quarter, they now made another attacked on the
centre and fought like tigers. They found our
lines we'll prepared for and in full expectation
| of their coming; every man at his post, and
all willing to bring the contest to definite con
clusion.
In hourly expectation of the arrival of the
forces under Generals Nelson and Thomas, who
were at Savannah, and to whom messages had
been sent, fact as well known to the seces.
sionists as ourselves, they made every effort to
rout our forces before these reinforeements
should have come forward. They were, how
ever, fighting against wall of fire and steel
manned by as brave hearts as ever smelled the
essence of gun powder. Volley answered to
volley, and for time the battle of the morn ing
was re enacted over the same ground, and with
the same vigor on both sides.
THE FINAL STRUGGLE OF THE DAY.
AT five o'clock there was short cessation in
the firing of the enemy, their lines falling back
on the centre for the distance, perhaps, of near
ly half a mile. They then suddenly wheeled
and again til rev their entire force upon the
left wing, determined to make the final struggle
of the day i'll that quarter. The gunboat Lex
ington, in the meantime, had arrived from Sa-
vannah, and, after sending a messenger to Gen.
Grant to ascertain the direction in which the
enemy lay from the river, the two boats took
position about half mile above the landing,
and poured their shell up deep ravine reach
ing to the river on their right. The shots were
thick and fast, and told with thrilling effect.
In the meantime General Wallace had taken a
circuitous route from Crump's Landing, and
appeared suddenly on the right wing of ,he,,en-
envy. In face of this combination of circum-
stances, the rebels felt that their enterprise was
for the day failure, and as night was about at
hand they slowly fell back, fighting as they
went, until they reached an advantage US posi-
ton. somewhat in the rear and yet occupying
the main road to Corinth. The gunboats con-
tinued to send their shell after Them until they
had got beyond their reach. Thus ends an out
line of the battle of the first day.
There is no time or opportunity at this hour
W ooIdiu d llot, VI even any accurate knOWleQge,
of our loss by killed, wounded or missing
Some of our Ohio regiments have suffered Sc
verely, although the number of those severely
wounded is comparatively small. Gun shots
IN the arms and legs are very plentiful it seem
ingly having b en- the object of the euemy to
wound rather than kill outright. being in adher-
ence to the policy that it requires four men to
take care of one wounded, while none are requi r.
ed 10 look after the dead
ARRIVAL OF GEN. BUELL's FORCES.
After wearied watching of several hours of
the most intense anxiety, the advance regiments
of General Buel's division appeared ON the op-
poslte bank OF the EVER, at five o'clock this af.
ternoon. Steamers were immediately seut over
and the work of ferriage began, the 36th In
diana and the 9th Ohio being the first to cross,
followed by the main portaion of Gen. Nelson IS
division.
They were succeeded by General Bruces com
mand, embracing among others the LIST and I'd
Kentucky. Cheer after cheer greeted the arriv-
al of the relnfOrcements, know ledge of their
importance in the crisis being firmly impressed
upon all who had witnessed the events of this
dreadful day. Without moments delay, they
dscmbarked and marched tothe advance, where
they rested on their arms for the night They
had come at a double quick from Savannah, but
their comrades in the field had sustained an un-
finching fight for fifteen hours. and they were
glad to relieve them and afford them a few
hours rest.
THE SCENE AT MIDNIGHT.
As sit tonight, writing this epistls, the
dead aud wounded are all around me- The
knife of the surgeon is busy at work. and am
tod lafr,