The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-04-19
GRANTS OFFICIAL
REPORT.
Generai Grants Report.
HEADQUARTERS DIsrRrcr Of West Tenn.

the Mississippi, 81 Louis, Missouri:
GENERAL: 1t becomes my duty again 10
report another battle, fought between two
great armies; one contending for the main
teHance of the best Government ever devis-
ed, the other for its destruction. 1t is pleas
an. to record the success of the army con-
tending Tor the former principle.
On sunday morning our pickots were at
tackled and driven in by the enemy. Inn
rnediately the five divisions stationed at this
place were drawn up in line OF battle ready
to meet them. The battle soon waxed warm
on the left and center. varying at times to
all parts OF the line.
The most continuous firing Of musketry
and artillery ever heard on this continent
was kept up until aightfall, the enemy hay
iug forced The entire line to fall back nearly
hall way from their camps 20 the landing
At late hour in the afternoon a desperate
effort was made by the enemy 70 turn our
left and get possession ofthe landing. trans
ports, &c. This point was guarded By the
gunboats Tyler and Lexington-C Captains
Gwinn and Shirk, United States navy, ccm-
man1ing-four 90 FOUNDER Parrot: guns.
and 2 battery Of rifei guns. AS there is
deep and impossible ravins for artillery or
cavalry. and very difficult for infantry at
this point. no troops were stationed here ex-
cept the necessary artillcrsts. aud small
infantry force for their support. Just al
this moment the advance Of Maj. General
Buell's column, Ca part OF the division OF
Gen. Nelson, arrived, the two Generals
named both being present. An advance
was Immediately made upon the point Of at
tack, and the enemy soon driven back. In
this repuIsc much is due to the presence Of
their able commandants, Captains Gwynn
and -hirk. During the night the Divisions
under General. Crllenden and McCook ar
rived.
Gen Lew Wallace, at Crump's Landing,
six miles below, was ordered at an early
hour in the morning to hold his division in
readiness. to be moved in any direction 10
which it might be ordered. Atabout eleven
O'Clock. the order was delivered to move it
up to Pittsburg, but owing to its being led
10y circuitous route, did not arrive Ia time
to take part in Sundays action. During the
night all was quiet, and feeling that great
moral advantage would be gained by be-
coming the attacking party. an advance was
ordered AS soon day dswned. The result
was gradual repulse Of the enemy at all
points Of the line, from morning until proba
bly Eve O'Clock in the afternoon, when it be-
came evident the enemy was retreating.
Before the close of The action, the advance
of Gen. II. j. Woods division arrived, in
time to take part in the action. My force
vas too much fatigued from two days hard
fighting, and exposed in the open air to a
drenching rain during the intervening night,
to pursue Immediately. Night closed in
cloudy and with heavy rain, making the
roads impracticable for artillery by the next
morning. Gen. Sherman. however, follow.
ed the enemy, finding that the main part of
the army had retreated in good order. Hos
pitfalls of the enemys wounded were found
all along the road as far as pursuit was made.
Dead bodies Of the enemy and many graves
were also found. inclose herewith report
Of Gen. Sherman, which will explain more
fully the result Of his pursuit or the part
taken by each separate command, l cannot
take special notice in this report. but will do
so more fully when reports of division com
manders are handed in.
Gen. Buell. couing on the field with
distinct army, long under his command, and
which did such efficient service, commanded
by himself in person on the field, viii be
much better able to notice those of his com
mand who particularly distinguished them
selves than possibly can.
feel il a duty, however, to a gallant and
able officer. Brigadier General 7. w. Sher-
man, 10 make a special mention. He not
only was with his command during the en-
tire Of the two DAYS action, but displayed
great Judgment and skill in the manage
merit of his men. Although severely woun
ded in the hand the first day, his place was
never vacant. He was again wounded and
had three horses killed under him.
In making this mention of gallant off,
Ger, no disparagement is intended 10 the
other division commanders, Major Generals
John \. McClernand and Lew Wallace,
and Brigadicr Generals S. 4: Hurlburt, B.
NJ. Prentiss aud w H. Z: Wallace. all of
whom maintained their places with credit to
themselves and the cause.
General Prentiss was taken prisoner in
the first days action. and General w. H.
. l.. Wallace severely, probably mortaly
wounded His Assistant A6iutant General,
Capt. William McMichael, is missing. prob
ably taken prisoner.
NV personal staff are all deserving of
particular mention, they having been en-
gagged during the entire two days in carry
ing orders 10 every part Of the field 1t
consists of Col. j. d. Webster. Cniet Of
Staff: Lieutanaut- Colonel j B. Mcpherson,
Chief Engineer: assisted by Lieutenants w
l.. B. Jenny and William kossac, Captain
J. A. Rawhngs, A. A. General. w. S. Hill.
yer. w Il. Rawley aud G. B. Lagow, Aides
de Camp. Colonel G.. g Pride. Volunteer
Aid. and Captain J. T.. Hawkins, Chief
Conmisssry. who accompanied me on the
+, field
The Medical Department. under direc-
i ton of Surgeon Hewitt. Medical Director,
showed great energy in providing for the
wounded. and in getting hem from the field
/ regardless of danger.
Col Webster was placed in special charge
+ of all the artillery, and was constantly up
+, on the field. He displayed, as always here
tofore, both skill and bravery. AT least il
one instance he was the means Of placing
an entire regimen, in position of doing
most valuable service. and where it woul,
not have been but for his exertions.
Lieutenat- Col. Mcpherson, attached L
my staff as Chief of Engineers. deserve
more than a passing notice for his activity