The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-04-15
The Great Battle at pilisburg
Landing.
PTrSuuRe. wa Fonr IlFSrr, !
April 2, s;20 a. y, )
Special Dispatch 70 tAc New lork Heeala

One Of the greatest and bloodiest bat 1
ties cf modern days, has just been closed,
resulting in the complete rout Of the enc
my. who attacked us at daybreak. The
battle lasted without intermis ION during
the entire day, and was renewed on Mon
day morning aud continued undecided un-
iii 1 o'clock in the afternoon, when the en-
emy commenced their retreat, and are
still flying toward Corintb, pursued by a
large force Of our cavalry. The slaughter
on both sides Is immense. We have lost
IN killed wounded aud missing, $4,000 70
10000 men; the loss Of the enemy is cs
timaed at $1,000 to 10000 1t Is impos
siJle in the present confused slate Of af-
fairs 70 ascertain any Of the details. ]
therefore give you the best account pos
sble, from observation, having passed
through the storm OF action during the
two DAYS that il ragged. The fight wac
brought on by a body Of 500 Of the Iweu-
ty-fitth Missouri regiment, OF Gen Prem
tiss division, attacking the advance guard
Of the rebels which were supposed to be
the pickets Of the enemy in front Of our
camp. The rebels Immediately advanced
ON Gen. Preniiss division on the LEFT
wing, pouring in volley after volley Of
muskelry, and riddling our camps with
grape. canister and shell. Our forces
soon formed into line, and returned THEN
fire vigorously, and by the time we were
prepared to receive them, they had turned
their heaviest fire on the left centre Of
Shcrmqns division, and drove our men
back from their camps, and bringing mp
fresh force, opened fire on our left wing,
under Gen. McClerhand. This fire was
returned with terrible effect and deter
mined spirit by both infantry and artillery
along the whole Ine, for distance Of over
four miles.
Gen. IIurlburt5 division was thrown
forward to support tie centre, where q
desperate conflict eusued. The rebels
were driven back with terrible slaughter,
but soon rallied, and drove back our men
! in turn.
From about o'clock, the time your
. corr. spoudcni arrived on the field, until
night closed on the bloody scene, there
; was ne determination Of tie result Of tie
struggle. The rebels exhibited renarka-
be good generalship; at times engaging
: the left with apparently their whole
+ strength, they woaid suddenly open ter
: rible and destructive fire on the right OF
e the centre. Even our heaviest and most
I destructive fire on the enemy did not APP
c near to discourage their solid columns.
/ The fire Of Major Taylor's Chicago Ar
: tillery, raked them down in seores, but the
G smoke would 10 sooner be dispersed than
a the breach would again be filed. The
, most desperate fighting took place late IN
e the evening. The rebels knew that i
+ they did not succeed in whipping us then
: that their chances for success would bt
extremely doubtful, as portion Of Gen
c Buels forces had by this time arrived OF
If the opposite side OF the river, and another
+ portion was coming up the river from Sa
i vamnah. They became aware that wt
0 were being reinforced, a. they could SEE
Gen. Buel's troops from the river bank {
d short distance above US on the lett (
o Which point they had forced their way
K Al ) o'clock the rebels had forced our LET
c wing back so as 10 occupy fully two-third
., of our camp, and were lighting their Nh.
8. forward with desperate degree OF conf
% dence in their efforts 10 drive us into In
At river. and at the same time heavily en-
"a gagged our right. Up 10 this time, 81
II had received no reinforcements,-- Ger
/ Lew Wallace falling 10 come 70 our SUP
N port until the day was over, having take
K lie wrong road from Crump's Landing
N and being without other transports tha
n those used for Qnarternasier's and Con
IT missary stores, which were too heavily Il
r den to ferry any considerable number {
le Gen. Buel's forces across tic river
n those that were here having been sent
id bring the troops from Savannah "
Il, were therefore contesting against fearfl
Oh odds, our force not exceeding $4,000 me
d. while that Of tie enemy was 10000.
n. Our condition at this moment was G.
ed tremeIy critical. Large numbers Of me
ac panic struck, others worn out by hai
IN lighting, with the average per cen,age
r., skulkers, had siraggied towards the riy'
lie aud could not be rallied. Gen. Grant AZ
n staff, who bad reeklessly ridden along q
he lines during the entire day, amid the U
q, ceasing storm Of bullets, grape and she
.et now rode from riglt; 10 lett, melting q
he men 10 sland firm until our reinforcement
n, could cross the river. Col. Webster, Chi
,el Of stan. Immediately got into position q
ed heaviest pieces Of artillery, pointing I
W. the enemy's right, While large numb
he Of the batteries were planted along &
ch entire line, from the river Inc Norihwe
his to our extreme right, some two and h
1n- miles distant. About an hour before du
osI general cannoHa5ing was opened up
"a ihe enemy from along our whole line, vi
ns perpetual crack o. mnsketry. Such
md roar Of artillery was never heard On :