The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-04-23

weeks previous Col Smith had been sepera-
ted from his command, engaged in superin-
tending the repairs of the railroad leading
from Nashville.)
His reception as have intimated already,
was OF the warmest and most cordial des-
eription. He made few brief remarks, and
of we started, arriving in Savannah about s
O'Clock in the evening. The scene here was
indicative OF the days struggle. Wounded
soldiers were being led or carried by their
comrades from the steamboats,, and passed us
at every step; the houses were filled with the
wounded; the glimmering lights at hundreds
oil windows spoke OF the activity of the Sur
geons and nurses. Everything, indeed, i'm
pressed US with the magnitude Of ths days
work, and certain something in the rumors
that reached US indicated that our orces had
been worSted. Nobody said this. All praised
the conduct of the troops, &C., but the i'm
preston seemed to be general with us, that
the day was not with US, and that the NOR
row was iraught with the most momentous
results.
We embarked on the steamers about 10
O'Clock, and reached Pittsburg Landing near
midnight. Signal lights were displayed from
the bluffs above directed us to the Landing,
and a she'll from one gunboat pointed out the
direction of the enemy. The ascent up the
bluff was through narrow path between
sleeping soldiers, who lay stretched in their
blankets upon the bare earth after the Ia
tigues of that day. We reached the top OF
the bluff in silence. Here we found thousands
OF teams crowded together, few pieces OF
artillery, and amidst the flashes Of lightning
(ior the sky was lowering and pitchy dark
ness prevailed) masses OF men, infantry and
cavalry, might be discerned standing in line,
their arms IN their hands, but in silence. One
building, from which an occasional scream OF
agony reached US, and from whose windows
streams oflight shot FORTH piercing the dark
ness without, told us that here, too, the sur
geon was at work And now the rain began
to fall, and soon it fell in torrents, but all
stood fast in the position assigned them. A
shell from the gunboat, and from another
gun few hundred yards TO our left, the po-
sition Of which was indicated bya lighted
tent, and the ringing of the steamers bell as
she approached the Landing was all that
broke the stiffness of that night, long to be
remembered by those ofus who are so fortu-
nate as to live till the close OF the war.
MONDAY MORNING, April z.
At early dawn, we moved into position, a
little over mile from the Landing. The
men were in the best spirits notwithstanding
the fatigues of the night, and their being
compelled to forego the customary pot Of
coffee and fried bacon. We occupied the
second line oil battle. The firing commenced
the moment we got into line, and the grape,
canister and shell fell so rapidly for time
that we were compelled to lie fiat upon our
faces. The battery on our right, under COM
mand OF Lieut.. Pearson, now opened, and for
time sensiby diminished the force of the
enemy's artillery. But directly the fire OF
musketry increased to perfect roar, and we
were ordered to advance to relieve those in
the first line. How CALAMITY this was done!
How bravely our boys gained inch by inch
upon the enemy, and finanally drove them
from their guns, the official report will dis
close. That we were unable to retain posses.
sion OF them, seemed to me to be the result
of our being too much in advance Of the rest
of the line Of battle and liable to be fanked
by the enemy, besides subjecting ourselves
to cross fire from our own forces. Col.
Hawkins, commanding the 18th 0, V. l.,
planted our flag upon the enemy's battery,
and when it was found impossible TO retain
it, he with his own hands spiked the l2-
FOUNDER, and as this piece was in position
to do us great deal deal of damage, many
valuable life was thus saved, for the horses
being all killed, the enemy found it difficult
to get their guns in position in this part of
the field during the remainder Of the day.
The two other guns We were unable to spike
for want of the necessary files.
The final capture of this famous Washing
ton battery, of New Orleans, which did so
much damage to us at Bull Run, will send a
thrill Of pleasure through the heart of the
Nation, and Ohio must feel proud of the
brave men whose strong arms and stout
hearts contributed so much to the achieve
ment. Gen. Buell. rode iearlessly along the
lines throughout the day, and watched with
keen eye our advance and capture Of the
battery, Gen. Crittenden proved worthy o
the confidence reposed in him, and our mer
desire no other to lead this division to battle
Acting Brigadier Gen. W. S. Smith com
manding our brigade, the 14th was the here
OF this fight, however, within the scope o
my eye, and you must bear in mind that
am only describing this part OF the great bat
tie. Other and ADLER hands will doubtless at
tempt the whole. Believe me, however, tina
make no inyidious distinction in claimin.
this title for our brave commander. The
officers and men OF the 11th and 26th Ken
lucky Regiments, which, with the 18th OhiC
compose our brigade, all concede him this
honor.
Selling our beloved flag from the color
bearer he waved it over his head, and, will
a few words Of kind to kind le the enthusi
asm Of the men, he led the charge himself
mounted, and exposed to the terrible fire c
the iniuriated rebels, and with sword in han,
was the first to dash upon the battery an,
knock out the brains Of one, if not more, o
the gunners with his sword 1t is in scene
of this kind that we fully realize the force Q
individual character, in infusing multitude
with spirit OF daring that inspires each ma
to deeds OF valor. Confident OF success, the,
never stop to count the cost till the victory
won. Ours has not been cheaply bought
Major Runkel fell severely wounded, swor
in hand, in the very front Of the battle. Capts
Gardner and Henderson, and Lieut.. Linden
burg were also wounded while leading thei
men to victory. / willmention here for tn
comfort Of the families and friends of the q
bove named officers, that their wounds
though severe and painful, are not dangerous
Where all did so well it does not becom
me to speak OF individual daring, but tn
conduct of our color sergeant, Stone, dt
serves the highest praise,a and his pecula
position as the bearer Of our flag, enables m
to speak his praise without even indirectl
rejecting upon others. which the mention {