The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-04-29

the FIRST at Crump's Landing, the Second |
two miles from the Landing, and the Third |
at Adamsville, two miles and half further
on the road to Purdy.
The 18th Indiana, Col. Geo. F. McGinnis;
9Th Missouri, Lieut.. Col. Jas. Peckham, and
oath Indiana, Col. AlyinrP. Hovey, COM
posed the FIRST Brigade, Col. Morgan l..
Smith commanding.
The LIST Nebraska, Lieut.. Col. W. D. Nc
Cord; 23d Indiana, Col. W. L. Sanderson
5Sth Ohio, Col. V. BausenWein, and seth
Ohio, Col P. Kinney, composed the Second
Brigade, Col. John III. Thayer commanding.
The Third Brigade consisted of the goth
Ohio, Lieut.. Col. NJ. F. Force; 10th Ohio,
Col. Charles r. Woods 18th Ohio, Col. NJ.
D. Leggett, and the 68th Ohio Col. S. Fl.
Steadman, Col. Charles Whittlesey COM
manding.
To the Division were attached Lieut..
Thurber's Missouri Battery and Capt.
Thompson's Indiana Battery, also the Third
Battalion Fifth Ohio Cavalry, Major G. T.
hayes, and the Third Battalion Eleventh
Illinois Cavalry, Major James F. johnson.
Hearing heavy and continuous cannon
aiding in the direction of Pittsburg landing
early Sunday morning / inferred general
battle, and in anticipation of an order from
Gen. Grant to join him at that place, had
the equipage OF the several brigades loaded
in wagons for instant removal to my first
camp at the river.-The First and Third
Brigades were also ordered to concentrate
at the camp of the Second, from which
proceeded the nearest and most practicable
road to the scene Of battle.
At 1I:30 o'clock the anticipated order ar
rived, directing me to come up and take
position n the right of the army, and form
my line of battle at right angle with the
river. AS it also directed me to leave
force to prevent surprise at Crump's Land
ing, the 56th aud 63th Ohio Regiments
were detached for that purpose, with one
gun from Lieut.. Thurber's Battery.
Selecting road that led directly to the
| right of the lines as they were established
around Pittsburg Landing on Sunday morn
ing, my column started Immediately, the
| distance being about six miles. The can
nonading, distinctly audible, quickened the
steps of the men. Snake Creek, difficult of
! passage at all times on account of its steep
banks and swampy bottom, ran between me
and the point of junction. A short distance
from it Capts. RaWlins and Rowley, attach
ed to Gen. Grants staff, overlook me. From
them l learned that our lines bad been beat
en- back; that the right, to which | was
proceeding was then fighting close to the
|
take me in the enemy's rear, where, in the
unfortunate condition of the battle, my
command saSin danger of being entirely
cut of. !. soD 4, on their representations,
most prudent to carry the column across
| to what is called the "river road" which,
following the windings of the Tennessee
bottom, crossed Snake Greek by a good
bridge close to Pittsburg Landing. This
movement occasioned a countermarch,
which delayed my junction with the main
army until little after nightfall.
About 1 o'clock at night my brigades
and batteries were disposed forming the
extreme right wing, and ready for battle.
Shortly after daybreak Capt. Thompson
opened fire on a rebel battery posted on a
bluff opposite my first brigade, and across
a deep and prolonged hollow, threaded by
a creek, and densely wooded on both sides.
From its position, and that of its infantry
supports lining the whole length of the
bluff, it was apparent that crossing the hol-
low would be at a heavy loss, unless the
battery was first driven off Thurber was
accordingly posted to assist Thompson by
a cross fire, and at the same time sweep the
hiding places of the enemy on the brow of
the hill. This had the desired effect After
few shells from Thurber the enemy fell
back, but not until Thompson had dis
mounted one of their rifle guns. During
this affair Gen. Grant came up and gave
me my direction of attack, which was for
ward at right angle with the river, with
which my line at the time ran almost par
allel.
The battery and its supports having been
driven from the opposite bluff my COM
mand was pushed forward, the brigades in
eehelOn, the first in front, and the whole
preceded by skirmishers. The hollow was
crossed, and the hill gained almost without
opposition. AS Gen. Sherman's division,
next on my left, had not made its appear
ance to support my advance, a halt was or
dered for it to come up
| was then at the edge of an oblong field
that extended in direction parallel with
the river. On its right was q narrow strip
of woods, and beyond that lay another
cleared field, square, and very large. Back
of both fields, to the north, was a range of
bluffs overlooking the swampy low grounds
of Snake creek, heavily timbered, broken
by ravines, and extending in a course dag.
onal with that of my movement. An ex-
animation satisfied me that the low grounds
afforded absolute protection to my right
flank, being impossible for a column of at
tack. The enemy's left had rested upon
46aRlpF 5v fnfu'ft. rot hat PURPOSE l. be-
| OoLne nSCeeedry lot me 10 change front bv a
left half wheel of the whole division
While the movement was in progress. across
a road through the woods al the Southern
end of the field, we were resting by, 1 dis
covered heavy body of rebels going ran
IDLY to reinforce their left, which was still
retiring, covered by skirmishers, with
whom mine were engaged. Thempson's
battery was ordered up, and shelled The
! passing column with excellent effect bnt
while go engaged was opened upon bv a
full battery, planted in the field lust be-
yond the strip of woods on the right. He
promptly turned his guns at the new enc
my. A fine artillery duel ensued, very
| honorable to Thompson and his companv
His ammunition giving out ia the midst of
it ordered him to retire, and Lieut
Thurber 70 take his place. Thurber obev- |
ed with such alacrity that there was
scarcely en- intermission in the fire.
which continued SO long and with such |
warmth as to provoke an attempt on
the part of the rebels to charge the posi-
finn nfco0xzoripo, srfov Al