The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-04-17

~ showed that the contest on both
sides was for death or victory. The
almost deafening sound of artillery, and
the rattle of musketry, were ali that
could be heard, as the men stood and
silently delivered their fire, evidently
bent on The work of destruction with a
fervor which knew no bounds. Foot
by foot the ground was contested, a
single narrow strip of open land divid-
ing the opponents. Not having had
time, in their hasty departure from
their camps, to bring forward the hand
stretchers 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
they could be carried to the rear.
Many who were MANNED fell back with
out help, while others still fought in the
ranks until they were actually forced
back by their company officers.
Finding it impossible to drive back
the centre of our column, at twelve
o'clock the enemy slackened their fire
upon it, and made most vigorous eff.
fort on our left wing, endeavoring to
outflank it by driving it in to the river
bank at point about one and half
miles above Pittsburg Landing. This
wing was under command of General
Hurlbut, and was composed of the
l4th, 32d, 44th and 57th Illinois.
Fronting its entire line, however, was
brigade under Gen. Sherman, com
posed of the 54th, 57th and 18th Ohio
|-Taylor's 9Th Ohio cavalry was also
in Gen. Hurlbut's division, but from
the improper nature of the arms with
which they were provided, they were
not able to do one half the execution
the men desired.
In this quarter it seemed for the
period of nearly an hour, that the ene-
my would succeed in driving in our
forces. Three different times they
drove our men slowly before them, until
they came in sight of the river, and
were plainly visible even to those on
the main landing below.
While the conflict ragged the hottest
in the quarter we are writing of, the
gunboat Tyler passed slowly up the
river to point directly opposite the
force of the enemy, and poured in a
broadside from her immense guns.
The shells went tearing and crashing
through the woods, telling trees in their
course, and spreading havoc wherever
they fell. The explosions were tremen-
dous, and the shell falling far inland,
most probably from their direction in
the very heart of the secession force,
must have told with 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 Tyler. sg 81.
Up to three o'clock, it will be re-
membered, the battle had ragged with a
fury which defies description. At
every point the rebels had found every
attempt to break our lines unavailing.
They had striven TO drive in our main
column, and finding that impossible,
had turned all their strength upon our
left wing. Fooled in that quarter, they
now made another attack on the centre,
and fought like tigers. They found
our lines well prepared for and in full
expectation of their coming; every
man at his post, and all willing to bring
the contest to a definite conclusion.
AT o'clock there was a short ces.
sation in the firing of the enemy, their
lines falling back on the center for the
distance, perhaps, of nearly half mile.
They then suddenly wheeled and again
threw their entire force upon the left
wing, determined to make the first
struggle of the day in that quarter.
The gunboat Lexington, in the mean
time, had arrived from Savannah, and
after sending messenger to Gen.
Grant to ascertain the direction in
which the enemy lay from the river,
the two boats took position about halt
mile above the landing and poured
their shell up deep ravine reaching to
the river on their right. The shots
were thick and fast and told with thrill
ing effect. .aer
In the meantime Gen. Wallace had
taken circuitous route from Crump's
Landing, and appeared suddenly on the
right wing of the enemy. In face of
this combination of circumstances, the
rebels felt that their enterprise for the
day was a failure, and as night was
close at hand they slowly fell back,
fighting as they went until they reached
an advantageous position, 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 entirely got beyond their
reach. Thus ends an outline of the
battle CT the first day. ha
After wearied watching of several
hours of the most entense anxiety, Tic
advance regiments of Gen. Buell's di-
vision appeared on the opposite bank
of the river, at five o'clock this after
noon. Steamers were immediately sent
over, and the work of ferriage began,
the seth Indiana and the 9th Ohio be-
ing the first to cross, followed by the
main portion of Gen. Nelson's division.
They were succeeded by Gen. Bruce's
command, embracing among others,
the lst and Cd Kentucky.
THE SECOND DAYS FIGHT.
P1TTsBTRG, April I, 1862
During all the horrors of last night