Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-17


riaed guns. A there i deep and impossible
ravine for artillery cavalry, and very difficult
for infantry a, this point, 10 troops weze station
ed here except the necessary nrtillerists and
small infantry force for their support. Just at
this moment the advance of Major Gen Buell.
column "a part Of the division of Gen Nelson,)
arrived, the two Generals named both being pre-
sent. An advance was Immediately made upon
the point of attack. and the enemy soon driven
back. In this repulse much il due to the pres
ence Of the gunboats Tylor and Lexington, and
their able commandants. Captains Gwinn and
Shirk During the night the divisions under
Generals Crittenden and McCook arrived.
Gen. Lew Wallace. at CrumP's Landing, six
miles below, was ordered atan early hour IN the
morning TO hold his Division in readiness to be
moved in any direction TO which il might be or
derei. At about ii o'clock the order was deliv-
cred to move il up Pittsburg. but owing to its
being led by circuitous route, did not arrive in
time 10 take part in SUNDAYS action During
the night all was quiet, and feeling that n great
moral advantage would be gained by becoming
the attacking parry. an advance was ordered as
soon a day dawned- The result was gradual
repulse OF the enemy at all points Of the line,
from morning until probably o'clock in the af-
ternoon, when it became evident the enemy was
retreating
Before the close of the action, the advance Of
Gen. T. J. Woods Division arrived, in time to
take part in the action. Ny force was too much
weakened by the two days hard fighting, and ex-
posture in the open air to drenching rain during
the intervening night, to pursue Immediately.
Night closed in cloudy, aud with heavy rain,
making the roads impracticable for artillery by
the next morning. Gen. Sherman, however fol
lowed the enemy, finding that the main body of
the army had retreated in good order. Hospitals
of the enemy were found all along the road
far as pursuit was made. Dead bodies of the en-
envy and many graves were also found. en-
close herewith the report of Gen. Sherman. which
will explain more fully the result of this pursuit.
Of the part taken by each separate command,
cannot take special notice in this report but will
do so more fully when reports of Division com
manders are handed in
Gen Buell. coming on the held with a distinct
army, long under his command. and which
did such efficient service, commanded by himself
in person on the field. will be much better
able TO notice those of his command who partc-
ularly distinguished themselves, than | possibly
can.
feel it a duty, however, to a gallant and able
officer, Brigadier General W. I. Sherman, to
make a special mention. He not only with
his command dnring the entire of the two days
action, but displayed great judgment and skill in
the management of his men. Although severely
wounded 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 officer. no
disparagement is intended to the other division
commanders Major Generals John A. McCleT-
nand and Lew Wallace, and Brigadier Generals
5. a. Hurlburt, NJ. b. Prentiss and W. II. l.. Wal
lace, all OF whom maintained their places with
credit 10 themselves and the cause.
Gen. Prentiss was taken prisoner in the first
days action, and Cen W H. L. Wallace severe
ly, probably MORALLY wounded. His Assistant
Adjutant General, Captain VIM. McMchael, is
missing, probably taken prisoner
Ny personal staff are all deserving of particular
MENTION they having been engaged during the
entire two days in carrying orders to every part
OF the field. Ii consists of Col j. d. Webster,
Chief of staff; Lieut. Col j. b. MCPHERSON. Chief
Engineer; assisted by Lieuts. w. l.. Il. Jenny and
VIM. kossac. Capt. j. A. Rawlings, A. A. Gene
raj, W. 5. Hiayer, W. X. Rawley and q. b. La
gov, Aides dc Camp. Col. G.. G.. Price, volunteer
aid, and Capt J p. Hawkins, Chief of Commits
sary who accompanied me upon the field.
The Medical Department, under direction of
Surgeon Hewitt. Medical Director showed great
energy in providing tor the wounded and in get
ting them from the field. regardless OF danger.
Colonel Webster placed in special charge
of all the artillery, and was constantly upon the
field. lie displayed, as always heretofore, both
skill and bravery. At least in one instance
he was the means of placing entire regi
HlcHb III Il pOSltlOu Vi uOllp ulOcb NdlddDtc SGT
vice, and where it would not have been but for
his exertiOns.
Lieutenant Colonel Mcpherson, attached TO
my staff as Chief Engineer, deserves more than
a passing notice for his activity and courage
All the grounds beyond camps for miles
have been accommodated 10y him. and plats care
fully prepared under his supervision, giving
curate information of the nature of approaches to
our lines.
During the two days battle he constant
ly in the saddle leading troops as they arrived
to points where their services were required.
During the engagement he had one horse shot
under him.
The country will have to mourn the loss of
many brave men who fell at the battle of Pitts
burg, or Shiloh, more properly. The exact loss
in killed and wounded will be known in day or
two; at present only give it approximately
at 800 killed and $500 wounded.
The loss of artillery was great, many pieces
being disabled by the enemy's shots, and some
losing all their horses and many men. There
were probably not less than two hundred horses
killed
The loss of the enemy, in killed and left
upon the field, was greater than ours. In
wounded the estimate can not be made many
of them must have been sent to Corinth and other
points.
The enemy suffered terribly from demoriliza-
ton and desertion flag of truce was sent in
to -day from Gen. Beauregard. l enclose here
with 4 copy OF the correspondence.
l am respectfully, your obelent servant,
u. s. GRANT,
Major General t,ommaudiuO