Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-12
Progress Of Affairs at Yorktown
Further Particulars Of the PIttsburg
Hattie.

CHICAGO, April l0-The Tiness special ac-
count of the Pittsburg battle says:
Prentiss and Sherman with their reinforce
ments maintained alone their position. Their
attack gradually extended to the center under
McClernand, which soon became engaged with
superior force.
Up to noon these four divisions under Prem
tiss, Sherman. Hurlbut and McCernand held the
entire rebel force in check. although the enemy
were constantly bringing up large reinforcements,
but gained no advantage Until noon our line was
unbroken except General Prentisss command.
This command they compelled 10 fall back aud
abandon their camp.
Beauregard and Johnston commanded on the
right and Polk on the left
Shortly after noon the enemy made grand
attack on our whole line but our forces obstinate
ly maintained their ground until the enemy hurled
the entire force of Is, 1000 sainst us. Our line
fell back under the pressure in good order half
or three quarters of a mile. abandoning their
camp to the enemy and taking their position in
semi circle on the bank of the river. Here they
stood immovablY and fought obstinately for FIVE
hours, the ground being fought over and over
again.
The gunboats Tylor and Lexington had got in
range by their position on the left and poured III
a storm OF shot and shell which fairly annihilated
them.
Immense siege guns had the same position on
the right so that wherever the rebels turned they
met the iron hail which scattered them like chaff.
They advanced no more but stubbornly held their
position. Night came on without any change.
In the meantime Buell. arrived on the opposite
side of the river, having made forced march all
day.
Eight regiments were crossed and took position
in the center and were Immediately engaged by
the enemy The fight continued with unparal-
leled obstnacv and with appalling slaughter until
darkness closed in.
During the night Buell. crossed with $4,000
men. Nelson took position on the lett and Nc
Cook on the right.
The battle was renewed in the morning by the
arrival of % 900 renforcements under Bragg who
precipitatcd themselves on Shermans, McCler-
hands and Walace's divisions. They were held
in check, however, and at the same time Nelson
threw himself upon their right with his division
supported by Hurlbut's and all our other availa-
bic force.
The enemy, after maintaining their ground till
3 Z. NJ, gave way, and decisive blow was given
by Gen Grant, who headed a charge of six reg-
ments in person, and precipitated the whole body
on the enemys center with such desperate force
that they broke and ran The retreat at once
became general; within half an hour the whole
rebel army was falling back in dismay. Our
overioyed soldiers followed them, driving them
through our camp i'll complete disorder. They
were soon driven into broken country where they
would not form and fight, and there was no re
Taxation in the pursuit. At last accounts our
cavalry were eleven miles from the river, still
pursuing.
Fugitves threw away arms when exhausted,
and lay down to wait to be taken prisoners.
We can get no estimate of our loss, which is
immense, however. Some of our regiments had
not above 100 TO 300 left
! Gen. Prentiss displayed conspicuous bravery
during the first part of the engagement and be-
fore he was taken. He had just led gallant
| charge of 900 men against superior force OF
the enemy. He was repused, and received
musket ball in his arm; at the same time his
horse was killed, and before he could extricate
himself the enemy were upon him.
am informed on authority direct from the
rebel camp that Beauregard made the advance
on Friday to point within few miles of Grants
position, and here formed his line of battle, and
during the night resumed the march, coming
upon our forces at daybreak, completely sur
prising them. The only wonder is that the rout
of army did not ensue at once.
Gen. Hurlbut, whose division was in the
serve, made himself the main prop on which the
fortunes of the day hung. He acted with the
utmost promptness.
! Gen. A. S. Johnston was killed in the forenoon
of the second day, during the attack on his po-
sItion by our forces, while endeavoring to rally
lis men, apparently fearless of danger He rode
along the entire front, waving his sword and
shouting to his dismayed officers and frightened
men, and when the rout at its height a
non ball struck him, crushing his skull and kill
ing him instantly. His body was found by the
prisoners and brought 70 Gen. Nelson's tent.