The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1862-04-23
Official Reports of the late Grcat {
Battle near Pittsburg Landing
TGMnSSee.
HEAD QUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST J
TENNESSEE
PlTTsDURG, April9, 1862.

10 Capt. III. HcCtdin, 4. Il. General, De-
of MissisSYp':-lt becomes my duty
again to report another battle, fought between
two gleat armies, one contending for the
maintenance of the best Government ever
devised, the other for its destruction. 1t is
pleasant TO record the success Of the army
contending for the former principle.
On Sunday morning our pickets were at
tackled and driven in by the enemy. Imme-
diately the five divisions stationed at this
place we're drawn up IN line Of battle to meet
them. The battle soon waxed warm, on the
left and centre, varying at times to all parts
of the line. The most continuous firing Of
musketry and artillery, heard on this conti-
nent, was kept up until night, the enemy hav.
ing forced the entire line to lall back, nearly
half way from their camps to the Landing.
At a late hour in the afternoon, desperate
effort was made by the enemy to turn our
left, and get possession Of the Landing, trans
ports, &c. This point was guarded by the
gunboats Tyler and Lexington, Capts. Gwin
and Skirk, U. s. Navy, commanding with 4
20 Founders Parrott guns and battery OF
rihed guns.
As there are deep and impossible ravines
for artillery or cavalry, and very difficult for
infantry at this point no troops were station
ed here, except the necessary a1tillerists and
small infantry force Tor their support.
Just at this moment, the advance Of Maj.
Gen. Buells column, part of the Division
of Gen. Nelson, and ltwo Generals named,
both being present, an advance was immedi-
ately made on the point OF attack, and the
enemy was soon driven back.
In this repulse, much is due to the presence
of the gunboats Tylor and Lexington, and to
their commanders, Capts. Gwin and Skirk.
During the night, the Divisions under
Gems Crittenden and McCook arrived. Gen
Lew Wallace at Crump's Landing, six miles
below, was ordered, at an early hour in the
morning, TO hold his Division in readiness to
be moved in any direction to which it might
be ordered. At about eleven o'clock, an or
der was delivered to move itup to Pittsburg
but owing to its being led by a circuitous
route, he did not arrive in time to take part
in Sundays action.
During the night, ali was quiet, and feeling
| that greet moral advantage would be gained
| by becoming the attacking party, an advance
was ordered as soon as day dawned.
The assault was the gradual repulse Of the
enemy, at all points, from morning until
probably O'Clock, p, m, when it became
evident the enemy was retreating.
Before the close Of the action, the advance
OF Gen. r. j. Woods division arrived r
time to take part. My force was too much
much fatigued, from two days hard fighting
and exposure in the open air to drenchint
rain during the intervening night, to pursue
| Immediately.
Night closed in warm, with heavy rain
making the roads impractcable for artillery
by the next morning. Gen. Sherman, how
ever, followed the enemy, finding that th'
main portion Of their army had retire ated il
good order.
Hospitals of the enemy's wounded were
found ell along the road, as far as pursu
was made Dead bodies and many graves
were lound.
enclose herewith the Report Of Gen
Sherman, which will explain more fully th'
result of the pursuit. and the part taken BY
each separate command. | cannot take spe
cial notice in this Report, but will do SO, mor'
fully. when the reports OF Division command
ers come in.
Gen. Buell. coming on the field, with dis
tinct army, long under his command, anc
which did such efficient service. commanded
by himself in person, on the field, will b
much better able to notice those of his com
mand who particularly distinguished them
selves than possibly can.
feel it my duty, however, to gallant ant
able officer, Brig. Gen. w. T. Sherman, tt
make special mention. He not onl,
was with his command, during tn
entire two days action, but displayed grea
! judgement and skill in the management G
his men.
Although severely wounded in the hand
the first day, his place never vacant II
was again wounded, and had three horse
killed under him. In making this mentiono
gallant officer, no disparagement is intend
cd to other division commanders, Maj. Gen
John A. M'Clernand and Lew Wallace ant
Brig Gems. L. A., Hurlburt b. M. Prentiss
and w. Ii. L. WsRace, all Of whom main
tanned their places with credit to themselve
and the cause
General Prentiss was taken prisoner on th
first days action, and Gen. Wallace was Sc
yerely, probably mortally wounded. Hi
4 Asst Adj,t Gen. VIM. McMichaels in miss,
ina, probably taken prisoner. a
NV personal staff are all deserving Of par
ticular mention, they having been engaged
during the entire two days, in conveying or
ders to every part Of the field. 1t consiste,
Of Col, j. B. Webster, Chief staff, Lieut.