Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-04-18
WAR NEWS,

MeCieHdu Compliments the 9TH Name
Rebels Epacuate Fredericksburg - The
Merrimae Behered to be Aground Gen.
Shields again IN The Field.
CHICAGO, 10Th.
The Tribune's reporter from Pittsburg
Landing furnishes the following
Taylor's and WAREHOUSES batteries sup
ported by the % Illinois, 18th and SD Ohio
were the first in the fight. Both the OHIO
regiments ran-the 18th without firing gun
leaving Warehouses; battery without
support, but he fought half an hour, retir-
ing with three guns. lie was wounded in
the thigh with Mimic ball His battery is
very badly cut up. Taylor's battery con-
tinued to fight, supported splendidly by the
Illinois regiments, until he and his supports
were outfanked on both sides. lie then re-
tired through cross fire.
In the meantime Waterhouse, with three
guns, took up second position, supported
by the Cd brigade of Gen. McClernand's d.
vision under Col. Marsh. During the fore
noon they were compelled to retire through
their own encampment with heavy loss, into
some woods, where they formed second
line of battle. An advance was then order
ed, and then commenced the mos. fercely
contested engagement of the day, resulting
in the rcpulse Of the enemy. who were driven
back through our encampments.
At this point the enemy met reinforce
nenss, and our ammunition gave out. Col.
Marsh gave command to give place to an
other brigade, but was, however. compelled
to retreat within hall a mile of the river
At this moment the gunbcats opened with
shell, throwing them over the heads Of our
men, and covering the ground in every d.
rection with rebel slain.
Taylor's battery again took position, and
opened on rebel battery only 500 yards dis
tant, and splendid artillery duel took
place. The rebel battery was silence :, and
their caisson blown up. Taylor's battery
was then ordered into the reserve.
During the fight several NJ ssissippi regi-
mcnts, who had arrived Saturday night,
came into the fight at double quick, and
were almost Immediately repulsed.
On Monday a Michigan battery, captured
the day before, was reca ptured by the 18th
Wisconsin regiment. The fight after the
taking Of this battery was conducted By
Beauregard in person. IL his efJr-s TO re-
cover it be was wounded in the arm. He
was successful in taxing it, but it WAS again
taken from him. 1t was captured and re
captured no less than six times.
The general retreat of the enemy CON-
menced at dark on Monday, our troops fol-
lowing them until the horses were tired out.
But for the almost impassable condition OF
the roads the rout would have teen mad.
complete, and We could have carried their
intrenched camp at Corinth. 1t will he i'm
possible, on account of the condition Of tie
roads, to do it now for some days.
The rebel artillery was superior to ours,
and their small arms almost equal.
The rebel loss was 10000 killed and
wounded ours 10000. These will Re found
moderate estimates. The enemy have taken
more prisoners than We the Sth Iowa were
captured en- masse.
When the reporter left Wednesday, our
advance, which had pursued the rebels, had
only occupied the ground formerly held by
the enemy half way between Pltts5urg and
Corinth.
The enemy are straining every nerve to
get in endorsements, and bloody work mus
yet occur before We drive them from tLeii
position.
The Times special says t.e responsibility
Of the surprise rests with the commanding
officer.
On Friday, large force Of rebel cavalry
appeared within sight of our lines, and re
manned there. But Gen. Sherman, who oc-
cupied the advance had been ordered not to
bring on an engagement consequently. ht
sent out no corresponding force to meet them
They remained in this position until Sunday
morning they served as a screen behind
which Beauregard formed his troops into a
line of battle undiscovered.
When the attack was first made, the SD
56th, list and 18th Ohio Regiments dis
played inexcusable inefhciency. The latter
regiment fed without firing gun. TIE
other regiments fired one or two rounds and
then fed. These regiments left the point
undefended, and the enemy Immediately
closed in and surrounded the most advanced
regiments. IL is also stated that the 18th
Wisconsin and the 10th Iowa regiments aed
after firing two or three rounds.
When the enemy fed they burned all theii
wagons and left their wounded behind, all OIL
whom are prisoners.
One of the New Orleans regiments and the
louisiana Tigers was almost entirely left on
the field either killed or wounded. They
were nearly all wealthy men. They b0tl
wore the Zouaye uniform.
Beauregard intended to make his attach
two days previously, but the extraordinary
rains impeded his progress and delayed hi
arrival. Had the attack been made at tn,
time intended, Gen. Buell. could not possibl,
have come up in time to have saved US from
defeat.
ST. LoUIs, 18th.
Major Mcdonald of the Sth Missouri
Regiment, arrived here last night, drec
from Pittsburg Landing. lie confirms tn
death of Gen. A. 5. Johnston. and was tolt
by Lieut.. that Bushrod johnson, who es
capped from Fort Donelson. was also killed
An officer of the New Orleans Creole Bat
TALON, who was taken prisoner, says Beau
regard made speech on Saturday before tb
battle, in which he told them the result wa
sure thing, and could not fail, They woul
capture Gen. Grants army, then whip Blu
ellis and then held their railroads. If the
lost the day, he said, they might as well la
down their arms and return home.
Major Mcdonald thinks the report of tn
escape of Gen. Prentiss is not true. He an
the greater portion of his brigade were take
prisoners in the early part OF the fight o.
Sunday.
The sunboats did fine work and probabl
they saved our army, ON Sunday, from tota
destruction.
The beginning of the fight was complet
surprise. many officers and soldiers bein
overtaken in their tents and sla entered o
taken prisoners.
Gen. Smith was not in the fight, but wa
lying sick at Savannah, not being able to e
out Of bed
Our forces on Sunday we're not over 35
AO0 man and the anenv's not loss than Oh