The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-04-10
Battle of -Pittsburg
The s7ga5gIttjeSg Battle Oss ssssS
Continent q!

Continent !
PITTsBTRG via F6RT HENRY. April $3.50
A. M.-One Of the greatest and bloodiest battles
of modern days, has just closed, resulting in
complete rout of the enemy, who attacked US at
daybreak on Sunday. The battle lasted with
out internission during the entire day, and was
AGAIN renewed on Monday morning, and con-
tinued until O'Clock in the afternoon when
the enemy commenced their retreat, and are
still flying toward Corinth, pursued by large
force of our cavalry. ~
The slaughter on both sides is immense.
We have lost in killed, wounded and missing
from >, 900 to 10000.
That of the enemy is estimated from 49,
OOOto 10000.
1t is impossible in the present confused state
of affairs to ascertain any details. I therefore
give you the best account possible, from obser-
walton, having pass ed through the storm OF &C
ton during the two days that it wa9ed
The fight was brought ON by body of 800 of
the 25th Mo. regiment, of Gen. Prentiss divis-
ion, attacking the advance guard Of the rebels
which was supposed to be the piCkets OF the
enemy in front of our camp. The rebels imme-
diateiy advanced On Gen. Prentiss' division on
the left wing, pouring volley after volley of
nluslketry and Kidding our camps with grape,
canister and shell.
Our forces soon formed into line, and returned
their fire vigorously, and by the time we were
prepared to receive them had turned their heav
lest fire on the lett and centre Of Sherman d.
vision, and drove our men from their camps land
bringing up force opened fire on our left wing,
under Gen. McClernand.
This fire was returned with terrible effect land
determined spirit, by both infantry and artii-
lery, along the whole line for distance of four
miles.
Gen. Hurlburt's division was thrown forward
to support the center, when a desperate conflict
ensued
The rebels were driven back with terrible
slaughter, bus soon rallied and drove back our
men in turn. From about nine clock, the time
your correspondent arrived on the field. until
night closed on the bloody scene, there was no
determination of the result OF the struggle.
The rebels exhibited remarkable good general
ship. at times, engaging the left with appar-
emily their whole strength, they would suddenly
open q terrible and destructive fire on the right
or center. Even our heaviest and most des-
trnctiye fire on the enemy did not appear to dis
courage their solid columns. The fire of Maj.
Taylor's Chicago Artillery raked them down in
scores, but the smoke would no sooner be dis
persed than the breach you'd again be filed
The most desperate fire took place late in the
succeed in whipping them that their chances
for success would be extremely doubtful, as q
portion of Gen. Buell's force 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 rein
forced las they could see Gen. Buel's troops from
the river banks, a short distance above as OH
the left, TO which point they had forced their
| DnIo ,ls ,IoIg bod nJIr
left wing back, so as to fully occupy two-thirds
of our camp, and were fighting their way for
ward with a desperate degree of confidence in
their efforts to drive US into the river, and at
the same time heavily engaged our right
Up to this time, we had received no reinforce
ments, Gen. Lew Wallace falling to come to our
assistance until the day was over, having taken
! the wrong road from Crumps Landing, and
being without other transports than those used
for Quartermasters and Commissary stores,
which were too heavily laden to ferry any con-
siderable number of Gen, Buelps forces across
the river-those that were here having been
sent to bring the troops from Savannah.
We were therefore contesting against fearful
odds, our forces not exceeding $4,000 men
while that Of the enemy was upwards OF Co.,
900.
Our condition at this moment was extremely
critical. Large numbers of men were panic
stricken, others worn out by hard fighting, with
| the average per centage OF skulkers, had strug-
gled towards the river and could not be raj
| lied.
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 the right to the left melting
the men to stand firm until our reinforcements
could cross the river.
I Col Webster chief of staff, Immediately got
into position the heaviest pieces of artillery,
pointed on the enemy's right, while large num-
Der of the batteries were planted along the en- !
tire line from the river bank northwest TO our
extreme right some two and half miles dis
tant
About an hour before dusk, general cannon
ade was opened upon the enemy, from along our
whole line with perpetual crack of musketry.
| Such roar was never heard on this CONT
| nent.
| For short time the rebels replied with vigor
and effect. but their return shots grew less fire.
quent and destructive, while ours grew more
rapid nd.terrible.
The gunboats Lexington and Tyler, whic lay
short distance eff, kept raining shell on the
rebel hordes This last effort was too much for
the enemy, and, ere dusk, the firing had nearly
ceased when, night coming on, all the cum
batants rested from their awful work of blood
and carnage
Our men rested on their arms in the position
they had at the close Of the fight, until the
forces under Major General Wallace arrived, and
took position on the right and met BuelFs for
ces from the opposite side, and Savannah being
now converted into the battle ground.
The entire right of General Nelson's division
was ordered to form on the right, and the forces
under Gen Crittenden were ordered to his sup
pnrt aarly in tha morning.