The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-04-25
LETTER FROM CAPT. GEO. DODGE.

We have been permitted to make the fol.
lowing extracts from letter from Capt.
George Dodge, of the 4th cavalry, to n. Bel,
cher, ESQ, Of Port Byron:
PITTsBURG, Tenn, April llth, '62.
Well, tie great battle, or one more
Of them has taken place, aud will try and
give you some Of the incidents, but in doing
SO, you must bear in mind that | could see
but small part of the action, as the scene of
the battle covered space Of territory Of at
least seven or eight miles, fronting on the
west and south,
On Sunday morning the 9th, at about four
as we can asccrtan) about 100 OOomcn made
simultaneous attack on the entire length Of
our line, driving in, or taking our pckcts.
aud by their impetuosity driving every thing
before them. An order came to me to saddle
up, as our front was attacked. | did not be.
lieye this, although | heard the firing, but
supposed that some of the regiments were
practing, as usual. | ordered my company
tie saddle up and had barely mounted when
the enemy opened on us with a battery, and
threw some Of their shells and round shot
amongst US We soon got ont of that, and i'm.
medately the engagement became general.
We Of the cavalry could do nothing, only to
hover around near our retreating forces in or
der to take advantage Of any reverse of the
enemy. This did not occur, and we were
obliged, during the whole day, to drop back
from one position to another, until night.
Just before dark they had driven in our
troops and were within about half mile of
the steamboat landing, where were all Of our
transports and a large amount Of stores. -,
Here we had, during the day, planted three
large seige guns, and on the approach Of The
enemy, we opened on these guns. This check
ed them up, and revived the almost despairing
hopes of our men. But imagine the thrill
Of JOY that seized upon our boys when it was
announced to them that Gen. Buell. had ar
rived On the opposite side Of the river with
relntorcements. This completely revived our
boys spirits, and cheer after cheer rang
through our entire line. They drove the en-
envy back short distance Night had now
set in, and put an end to the awful carnage
for that day.
1t was about 10 o'clock in the forenoon Of
this day that saw and spoke to DR.. Gregg,
as he was gallantly leading his company for
ward. Hastily exchanging salutation with
him, he was soon out OF sight; and, as |
learned afterwards, in less than 20 minutes
the whole regiment was taken prisoners, or
what was left of them.
Oh God what day. never wish to see
such another. Regiment after regiment met
and were cut down. From about six O'Clock in
the morning until six in the evening moth
ing could be heard but one constant roar of
musketry. The sound became SO mon0ton-
Gus That 1t seemed like the rain falling on the
root OF house in the night. Add TO this the
continual roar Of artillery, the shrieks and
groans Of the wounded and dying. and YOU
have as near as can give you discript;on
Of our first days work
During the hight one Of our gunboats. w.
ing on the opposite side of the river. pova
them shell every ten minutes, and now and
then our seige guns the same. By morning
Gen. Buell. had crossed and landed about 10
600 men, and Gen. Lew Wallace had arrived |,
from below, by land, with 5000 or 10000
more. At daylight our forces pitched into