The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-05-20

ana only small detachment OF hOrsemcn could De
seen at distance from this last position, wearily
observing our movements.
Arranging, through my staff officers, for the
completion Of the movements thus begun, Briga-
dcr General Breckenridge was left with his
command as a rear guard to hold the ground We
had occ1pied the night preceding the first battle,
just in front of the intersection of the Pntsburg
and Hamburg roads, about four miles from the
former place, while the rest of the army passed to
the rear in excellent order.
On tae following day, General breckenridge fell
back about three miles to Mickey's, which posi-
tion we continued to hold with cavalry thrown
considerably forward in Immediate proximity to
the battle field
Unfortunately, towards night OF the 7th inst, il
began to rain heavily this continued throshout
the night; the roads became almost impossible in
many places, and much hardship aud suffering
now ensued before all the regiments reached their
encampmcnts. But despite the heavy casualties
of the two evcnttu days of the 9th and 7th April,
this army is more confident of ultimate success
than before its encounter with the enemy.
| To give more in detail, the operations OF the
| two battles resulting from the movement on Pitts.
burg, than now attempted, must have delayed this
report for weeks and interfered materially with the
important duties of my position but may be
permitted to say, that not only did the obstinate
conflict for twelve hours, on Sunday, leave tho
Confederate Army masters Of the battle field, and
our adversary beaten, but we left that field the
next day only after light hours incessant battle
with a superior army of fresh troops, whom we had
repulsed in every attack our lines-so repulsed
| and crippled, indeed, to leave it unable 10 take
the field, for the campaign for which it was COL
lected and equipped at such enormous expense,
and with such profusion of all the appliances OF
war. These successful results were not achieved,
however, before said without severe loss, loss
not to be measured by the number of the slain or
wounded, but by the high social and personsf
worth of so large number of those who were kill
cd disabled, including the commander OF tho
forces, whose high qualities will be greatly missed
in the momentous campaign impending.
The report then mentions the gallant part taken
in the action by Generals Cheatham, Clark, Hind
man, B. r Johnston aud Bowen, and further says:
To mention the many field officers who died or
were wounded, while gallantly leading their COM
mands into action, and the many brilliant instan-
ces Of individual courage, displayed in the twenty
hours of battle, is impossible at this time; but
their names will be duly made known to their
countrymen.
Further on the report says
From this agreeable duty turn to one in tho
highest degree unpleasant due, however, to
the brave men under meas contrast to the
behavior of most of the army who fought
hero;cally. | allude to the fact that officers,
commissioned officers and men, abandoned
their colors early on the first day to pillage the
captured encampmens; others retired shamolully
from the field on both days.
The report concludes:
1t remains to state that our loss in tho two days
in killed outright was 1,725, wounded 8,0l2,
missing 959-making an aggregate of casualties
Of 1869
This sad list tells in simple language of the
stout fight made by countrymen in front of
the rude log chapel of Shiloh, especially when i.
is known that on Monday, from exhaustion and
other causes, not twenty thousand our
side could be brought into service.
OF the losses of the enemy | have exact
knowledge. Their casualties cannot have falIea
many short of 10000 in killed, wounded and
prisoners.
Through information derived from many sources
our army engaged on Sunday at least $4,000 of
the enemy, and on Monday $4,000 at least.
In connection with the results of che battle l
should state that the most of men who had
inferior arms exchanged them for the improved
arms Of the enemy. Also, that most Of the
property, public and personal in the camp frosn
which the enemy was driven on Sunday, was rem
dered useless or greatly damaged, except some of
the tents.