The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-05-21
ersl ,Breckinridge commanding the re-.


said. when the enemy's last position wao
carried, and his forces finally broke and
sought refuge behind commanding EN-
lnence, covering the Pittsburg landing,
not more than half mile distant, and
under the guns OF the guhboats, which
opened on our eager columns fierce and
annoying fire with shot and shell Of the
heaviest deserirt Darkness was close
at hand. Officers and men were exhaus
ted by a combat Of over twelve hour
without food, and jaded by the march y
the preceding day through mud and va
ter, 1t was therefore impossible to coIIec,
the rich and opportune spoils Of WAT scat
tered broadcast on rbe field left ia our
possession, and impraclicabIe to make
any effective dispositions for their remov
al to the rear.
accordingly established NY head
quarters at the Church Of Shiloh. in the
enemy's encampmeni, with Major Gener.
al Bragg, and directed our troops to sleep
on their arms, in such, positions in advance
and rear as corps commanders should de
'ermine, hoping from news received by a
special dispatch tina, delays had bsen en-
counlered BY General Buell. in hi. march
irom Columbia, aud that his main force,
therefore, could not reach the field of bat
tie IN time to save Gen. Grants shattered
fugitive forces from capture or destruction
on the following day.
During the nigh, the rain fel in tor
rents. adding to the discomfort and lar.
raised condition Of the men; the enemy,
moreover, had broken their rest by dis
charge, ut measured intervals, of heavy
shells thrown from the gunboats, there.
Tore, on the following morning the troops
under my command were not in coudi.
ton to cope with an equal force OF fresh
troops, armed and equipped like our ad. .
versary, in the immediate possession Of
his depo,s. and sheltered BY such xn aux.
Hilary rs the enemy's 4unJca,s.
About six o'clock on the morning Of the
7'h Of April, however, not fire Of mus.
kerry and artillery, opened from the enc
mys quarter on Our advanced line, AS.
sured me Of the junction of bis forces, aud
soon the battle ragged with a fury which
satisfied me was attacked 10y largely
superior force. But from the onset our.
troops, Notwithstanding their fatigue md
Iosse" from the battle Of the day before,
exhibited the most cheering, veteran like
s'esd'ne's. On the righ. and centre the
enemy was repuleI in every attempt Le
made with his heavy columr 10 ,hn,
quarter Of tie field on the Iert, however.
and nearest to the point of arrival Of his
re'nforcements, he drove forward line af
ter line OF his fresh troops, which were
met with resolution and courage of
which our country may be proudly hope.
tul. Again and again our troops were
brought to the charge, invariably to win
the position at issue, invariably 10 drive
back their foe. But hour hy hour thu.
opposed 10 an emmy constantly reinforced
our ranks were perceP,abIy thinned uader
the uncea.ing. wi,hering fire Of the enc.
my, and by l2 meridian eight. en- hours
Of bard fighting had sens bly, exhausted
large number, my last reserves had ne.
cessarily been disposed OF, and the enemy
WAS evidently receiving fresh reinforce.
ments after each repulse; ACCORDINGLY,
about one 7. NJ, ] determined to with
draw from so unq,aI conflict. securing
such OF The results Of the victory Of the
day before MS was then practicable.
Officers Of nay staff were immediately
dispatched with the necessary orders to
make the hest dispositions for a deIiher
ate, orderly withdrawal from the field,
and TO collect and post reserve TO m ee,
the enemy, should be attempt to push
after US. In this connection I will men
lion particularly my Adju,ant general,
Col Jondsu, who vss Of much assistance
10 me on this occasion, as lie had already
been on the field Of battle on that and
he preceding day.
About TWO o'clock 2. NJ, the lines in
advance. which had repulsed the enemy
q their last fierce assault on our left and
,entre, received the orders 10 retire; this
was done with uncommon esdiness, and
he enemy made no attemp; to follow.
The line Of troops established 10 cover
his movement bad been disposed on n
avorsble ridge commanding the ground
If Shiloh Church from this position our
artillery played upon the woods beyond
or a while, but upon no visible enemy |
Ind without reply. Soon satisfied that