The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-04-10
THE BATTLE MAR PIT7sBtl
Great Victory!

Especial to Herald
Pittsburgh. via Fort Heury,
Anril 5. o.30 d. M.

i
Pittsburgh, via Fort Heur;,
April s, 2:30 p. m.
One of the greatest and bloodiest bat
ties Of modern days has just closed, 70
sulting in the complete rout of the enc
my, who attacked us at daybreak Sunday
The battle lasted without intsrmission dur
ing the entire day, and was again renew.
ed on Monday morning and continued IN
til 4 o'clock in the p. m, when the eng
my commenced their retreat and are still
flying towards Corinth, pursued by large
force Of our cavalry.
The slaughter on both sides is immense,
We have lost in killed, wounded and miss
ing, from Is 600 to 20 900. The loss oil
the enemy is estimated at from IS, 900 to
49, 900. II is impossible in the present
confused state of affairs to ascertain an =
details, l therefore give you the best ac-
count possible from observation, having
passed through the storm Of action dur
ing the two days that it ragged. The fight
was brought on BY q body Of 800 Of the
18th Missouri regiment, of Gen. Prentiss'
division. attacking the advance guard Of
the rebels, which were supposed to be The
pickets Of the enemy in front Of our camp.
The rebels Immediately advanced on Gen.
Prcntiss' division on the left wing, pour
ing yolley after volley Of musketry aud
Kidding our camps with grape, canister
and she'll. Our forces soon formed into
line and returned their FIRE vigorously,
and BY the time we were prepared to re-
ceive them, had turned their heaviest force
on the left and centerof Sherman g division
and drove our men back from their cam ps,
and bringing up fresh force opened fire
on our left wing under Gen. McClernand.
This FIRE was returned with terrible effect
and determined spirit by both infantry
and artillery along the whole line for .
distance of over four miles. Gen. Hurl-
butts division was thrown forward to sup
port the centre when desperate conflict
ensued. The rebels were driven back
with terrible slaughter, but soon rallied
and drove back our men in turn. FROM
about nine o'clock, the time your cor
respondent arrived on the field, until night
cl SD on the bloody scene, there was no
determination of the result of the struggle.
The rebels exhibited remarkably good
generalship. At times engaging the left
with apparently their whole strength they
would suddenly open terrible and DIES
tructive fire on the right or centre; even
our heaviest and most destructive FIRE on
the enemy did not appear to discourage
their solid columns. The fire of Major
Taylor's Chicago battery raked 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 In the afternoon. The rebels
knew that if they did not succeed in
whipping us then. their chances for sue
cess would be extremely doubtful. as =
portion Of Gen. Buell's forces had by this
time arrived on the opposite side Of the
river, and the other portion was coming
up the river from Savannah. They became
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. Al FIVE o'clock the rebels had
forced our left wing back 80 as to occupy
fully two thirds of our camp and we're
fighting their way forward with des-
perate degree Of confidence in their ef-
forts to drive us into the river and at the
same time heavily engaged our right.
Up to this time We had received no
reinforcement Gen. Lew Wallace fail
ing to come to our support until the day
Was over having taken the wrong road
from Cranp's landing and being without
other transports than those used for quar-
ter master and commissary stores which
were too heavily laden to ferry any con-
siderable number Of Gen. Buelis forces
across the river three boats that were
here having been sent TO bring the troops
from Savannah. We were therefore con-
testing against fearful odde, our forcs not
exceeding 81, 900 men, while that Of the
enemy was upwards Of g, 600. Our con-
dition at this moment was extremely cri-
teal large numbers Of men panic struck,
others worn out by hard fighting, with an
average per cent of skulkers who had
struggled towards the river and could not
be rallied.
Gen. Grant and staff, who had been
recklessly riding along the lines during the
entire day, amid the unceasing storm Of
bullets, grape and shell, now rode from
right to left, melting the men to stand
firm until our achievements could cross
the river. Col. Webster, Chief Of Staff,
Immediately got into position the heaviest
pieces Of artillery, pointing on the enc.
myi right, while large number Of the
batteries we're planted along the entire
line from the river bank northwest to the
extreme right, some two and half miles
| diatant. About an hour before dunk I
general cannonade was opened upon the
enemy from along the whole line, with .
perpetual crack Of muskctry. Such q