The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-04-17

oHc u thc Sieal0Sl anu Olooulcst
battles of modern days has just closed,
resulting in the complete rout Of the
enemy, who attacked US at daybreak
Sunday morning.
The battle lasted without intermis
sion during the entire day, and was
again renewed on Monday morning,
and continued until o'clock p. m..
when the enemy commenced their re-
treat, and are still flying towards Cor
NTH, pursued by "a largo force Of our
cavalry.
The slaughter on both sides is inn
mcnsc. We have lost in killed and
wounded and missing from eighteen
to twenty thousand. That of the en-
envy it estimated at from thrty-fyc to
forty thousand.
It is impossible in the present confus-
cd state ct affairs to ascertain any de
tails. I therefore give you the best ac-
count possible from observation, hav-
ing passed through the storm Of action
during the two days that it ragged
The fight was brought on by body
Of 800 Of the 25'h No regiment Of Gen
Pren'iss' division attacking the advance
guard Of the rebels, which were suppos-
ed to be tho pickcts of tho enemy in
front Of our camp. The rebels immeii-
ately advanced on Gen. Prcntiss' divi-
sion, on the left wing, pouring in volley
after vollcy Of musketry, and Kidding
our camps with grape, canister and
shell. Our forces soon formed into
line and returned their fire vigorously,
and by the time we were prepared for
them they had turned their heaviest fire
on thh left and centre of Shermans di.
vision and drove our men back from
their camps, and bringing up large
force opened fire on our left wing un-
der Gen. McC'ernanl
This fire was returned with terrible
effect and determined spirit by both
infantry and artillery along the whole
line distance Of four miles.
Gen. IIurlbut's division was thrown
forward to support the centre, when q
desperate conflict cnsued. The rebels
were driven back with terrible saugh-
ter, but soon rallied and drove back
our men.in turn. From about 8 o'clock
to the time your correspondent arrived
on the field until night closed OH the
bloody scene, there was no determine
ption OF the result of the struggle.
The rebels exhibited remarkably
good generalship, at times engaging the
left with ap arently tn .ir whole strength.
They would suddenly open terrible
and destructive ire on The right or cen
ter. Even our heaviest and most des
trnctiye fire on enemy did not appear
to discourage their solid columns. The
fire Of Major Taylor's Chicago artillery
rakcd them down in scores, but the
smoke would no sooner be dispersed
than the breach would again be filed.
The most desperate firing took place
late III the afternoon. The rebels knew
that if they did not succeed in whip
ping us then their chances for success
would be extremely doubtful.
A ,,Nrf;nr, - To-, D..alIs
by this time arrived on the opposite
side Of the river, and the other portion
was coming up the river from Savannah.
The rebels becam aware that we were
being reinforced, as they could see Gen.
Buell's troops from the river bank a
short distance above us on the left. to
which point they had forced their way.
At 5 o'clock the rebels had forced
our left wing back so as to occupy fully
two-thirds of our camp, and were fight
ing their way forward with desperate
degree Of confidence in their efforts to
drive us into the river, and at the same
time heavily engaged our right. Up to
this time we had received no reinforce
ments.
Gen. Lew. Wallace failed to come to
our support until the day was over,
having taken the wrong road from
Crump's Landing, and being without
ether transports than those used for
Quartermaster's and commissary stores.
which were to heavily laden to ferry
any considerable number of Gen. Buell's
forces across the river, three that were
here having been sent to bring the troops
from Savannah.
We therefore contested against fear
full odds. Our force not exceeding
$4,000 men; that Of the enemy was up
wards Of 10000. Our condition at this
moment was extremely critical. Large
numbers Of men were panic striker,
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