The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-04-22
THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.

the army correspondent OF the Savannah Re-
publican:
We commenced the attack at sunrise. Our
order of battle is said to be the strongest known
to military science. We advanced In three paral-
lei lines or corps each in line of battle. The
first or front corps was led by Major-General
Hardee Immediately behind him came full
complement of artillery. thousand yards in
his rear followed the second corps or line, led by
Major eneral Bragg. Immediately in his rear
came more artillery, and behind them came the
third corps, being our reserve, commanded by
Major G eneral Polk. Gen. Johnston was in
supreme command, nobly assisted by Gen. Beau
regard.
The artillery was commanded by Brig Gen
Trucall. under the orders of Gen. Bragg. Gen
T. distributed his batteries along the roads and
upon such open elevations he could find The
batteries were handled with consummate skill and
effect throughout the day by their respective
officers.
The nature of the ground is exceedingly un-
favorable for field operations. With the exception
of two or three small fields of eight or ten
! each, the battle has been fought wholly in the
woods. The woods are quite open, however
much more so than they are in Georgia; but they
nevertheless interfered very much with the evolu-
tons of the army. The ground is rolling, and in
many places quite wet and DOGGY near the water
courses several Of which the field, and still
further impeded the operations Of the day
But Gen. Hardee has encountered the enemy
in front. The sun is just rising as his division is
hurled against them like thunderbolt The
enemy not expecting an attack, as was evil
dent FROM the condition in which he received US.
Indeed lie was not aware of our near presence; he
never expected us to attack him, and was doubt
full whether would ever allow him to get near
enough to attack us. Hardee "set his squadron
in the field" with great judgment, and led them
most gallanty throughout the day. | have not
been able to come up with him, but hear that he
escaped without a scratch.
The enemy was at length driven from his first
line Of encampments. Meanwhile he recovered
from his surprise, and met our onslaught with
frmness and resolution. The fighting now be-
came hot AID close, and ragged with great violence
and fury along our entire font The right and
left wings, as we'll our centre, were engaged,
and the of artillery and the rattle of musketry
fairly shook the earth. But on Hardee presses,
backed up by Bragg and followed by Polk each
corps rolling onward like succeeding waves of the
storm lashed sea. Hardees corps advances, but
it is done slowly; for the enemy has rallied his
forces, and is handling them with GOODNESS and
spirit. We moved forward as it were By inches
but still we did move; and never at any time dur
ing the day did we lose one foot of the ground
gained.
At length reached the centre of the enemy's
encampment. He yielded his home in the woods
with much reluctance and disputed every foot of
ground with courage and resolution. Thus far
we have advanced through the woods which are
almost destitute of underground. Everywhere
the trees bear the marks of the terrible conflict.
Limbs were carried away, and in some places
trees foot in diameter were cut off. In few
instances, the long, sharp rifed cannon balls
passed entirely through the trees. The traces of
the musketry fire to be everywhere upon
the trees and bushes, and also in the numbers |
of the dead and wounded over whom advanced
At two o'clock the resistance had increased,
and become more obstinate than at any time dur |
ing the day. General Johnston, in order to make
thing Of it, placed himself at the head Of
attacking force and led the charge in person.
How unfortunate that he should have done so!
for at half past he received MIME ball in his
breast and his leg badly torn by shell. He fell
and died soon afterwards. but not until the en- envy
had again given way all along the lines He died
ir the arms of Col. Vim. Preston, of Kentucky, |
his aid and brother-in-la law and former U. S. Min
lister TO Spain, while Gov Harris, of Tennessee,
another aid, supported his head.
Thus brave soldier and skillful officer has gone
down before the red tide of battle He fell in the
very arms of victory, with flag appraised and
advancing under the mi ghty impetus given to our
attack by his own individual herosm and daring. |
Let the Republic do justice to his memory, and |
repair the erievous wrongs which have Of late |
been heaped upon him.
The fall of Gen. Johnston did not in the least !
discourage our men; for they knew the gallant
Bcauregard still left to them, with many
other officers of skill and courage On they press |
therefore Bragg has long since brought up his
corps, composed for the most part of his seasoned
Pensacola troops, and most admirably has he |
handled them throughou the entire day Gallant
and hlvalrlc, yet cool aud sagacious, he knows |
when and where to plant his terrible blows Gen
Polk also was many times in the thickest !
Of the fight and bore himself throughout the |
battle, whether in the immediate front of the
enemy or in bringing up his reserves, with the |
calm courage and serene spirit of Christian
warrior. Only portion of our reserves were ever
brought into action, there being necessity for
it.
At hafpas' five o'clock the enemy was in full
retreat and boty pursued by the victorious Con- |
federates. lie fed back tothe Tennessee, and
took shelter unoer his gunboats and river works, !
the fire from which was too heavy for our light
field batteries. Night, too had come on, and our
army returned to the enen,y's camp, and are now
occupying it. The Federals left their tents !
standing, together with ali their camp euuipapt:,
quartcrmaser and commissary stores, private bag
gage, medical supplies and considerable ammuni- !
ton. The attack SO furious-it came so /
much like the first clap Of thunder when the !
storm begins-and the pursuit SO close and unre- /
lenting, that they had time to remove any, /
thing, not even to gather up their records and /
half-fnished letters. The amount of property ,