Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-04-24
GEN GRANTS OFFICIAL REPORT.
THE ACCOMPANYING REPORT OF
s--- GENERAL SHERMAN. E--
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GEN.
ID ERALS GRANT AND BEAURE-
i.1s z GARD IN REFERENCE TO
THE DEAD.
eENERAL eRAEr's REpoRr.

isas 2 GARD IN REFERENCE To
THE DEAD. 81 ri
GENERAL GRANTS REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS DIsrRIcr OF WEsr.,l
PiTTsBuRe, April 8, 1859. !
Capt. N Il. Mclean. II. n. Gen. DEPT
Of the Aississigpi, 81. Louis, Ms
GENERAL: It becomes my duty again
to report another battle. fought between
two great armies; one contending for
the maintenance Of the best Govern
ment 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
attacked and driven in by the enemy.
Immediately the five divisions stationed
at this place were drawn up in line Of
battle ready to meet them. The battle
soon waxed warm on the left and center,
varying at times to all parts of the line.
The most continuous firing Of mus
kerry and artillery ever heard on this
continent was kept up until nightfall,
the enemy having forced the entire line
to fall back nearly half way from their
camps to the landing. At late hour
in the afternoon desperate effort was
made by the enemy to turn our left and
get possession Of the landing, trans
ports, DC. This point was guarded by
the gunboats Tyler and Lexington
Captains Gwinn and Shirk, United
States navy. commanding-four 90
FOUNDER Parrot guns, and battery Of
rihed guns. AS there is deep and
impossible ravine for artillery or cayal-
ry, and very difficult for infantry at
this point, no troops we're stationed
here except the necessary artillerists,
and a small infantry force for their sup
port. Just at this moment the advance
of Maj. Gen. Buell's column, "a part Of
the Division of Gen. Nelson. arrived,
the two Generals. named both being
present. An advance was made ina
mediately upon the point of attack,
and the enemy soon driven back. In
this repulse much is dueto the presence
of the gunboats TYlor and Lexington,
and their able commandants, Captains
Gwynn and Shirk. During the night
the Divisions under 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 II O'Clock, the
order was delivered to move 1t up to
Pittsburg. but owing to its being led by
circuitous route, did not arrive in time
to take part in Sundays action. Du-
ring the night all was quiet, and feeling
that great moral advantage would be
gained by becoming the attacking party,
an advance was ordered as soon as day
dawned. The result was a gradual re-
pulse of the enemy at all points OF the
line. from morning until probably five
U
evident the enemy was retreating.
Before the close of the action, the
advance of Gen. T. ]. Woods division
arrived, in time to take part in the ac-
ton. Ny force was too much fatigued
from two days hard fighting, and ex-
posed in the open air TO a drenching
rain during the intervening night, to
pursue Immediately. Night closed in
cloudy and with heavy rain, making
the roads impracticable for artillery by
the next morning. Gen. Sherman,
however, followed the enemy, finding
that the main part of the army had re-
treated in good order. Hospitals of the
enemy's wounded were found all along
the road as far as pursuit was made
Dead bodies of the enemy and many
graves were also found. Iinclose here
with report of Gen. Sherman, which
will explain more fully the result o.
this pursuit. OF. the part taken BY
each separate command, I cannot take
special notice in this report, but will dc
so more fully when reports of division
commanders are handed in.
Gen. Buell. coming on the field will
distinct army, long under his com
mand, and which did such efficient ser
vice, commanded by himself in person
on the field, will be much better able tC
notice those of his command who par
ticuiarly distinguished themselves thar
/ possibly can.
I feel it 8 duty, however, to a gallant
and able officer, Brigadier- General W
T. Sherman, to make special mention
He not only was with his command du.
ring the entire of the two days action
but displayed great judgment and skill
in the management of his men. AL
though severely wounded in the hant
the first day. his place was never vacant
He was again wounded, and had thre'
horses killed under him.
In making this mention Of gallan
officer, no disparagement is intended Il
the other division commanders, Major
Generals John A. McClernand ant
Lew. Wallace, and Brigadier- General
s. A. Hubert, B. M. Prentiss, and W
HI. Wallace, all of whom maintained
their places with credit TO themselve
and the cause.
General Prenliss was taken prisone
in the first days action, and Genera
W. H. L. Wallace severely, probabl,
mortally wounded. His Assistant Ad