New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-04-10
1WO DAYS. FURIOUS FIGHTING.
The Rebels Driven from the Field.
A. s. JOHNSTON KILLED,
GEM. pTAuREaARD WOUNDED
HEAVY LOSS ON BOTH SIDES.

PsrTBuHo, via Fort Henry, Apil 9, 3:2os N.
One Of the greatest end booOicst battles OF modern
days has just closed, resulting in the complete ront'
Of the enemy, y no attacked as at day break on Sun
day IN rnng.
The battle lasted without iniermisf.on duIing iue
entire day, and IVES again renewed on A,0nl.y
morning. and continued undecided uutl' = o ,locA Z"
the afternoon. when the enemy commenced 'ho'r re-
,,eat and are tll fvipg toward Cornth, pursued by
q large force Of our cavalry.
The slauehter on both sides 10 immense We have
lost 10 killed snd wounded aud missing from iS,OOO
tn 90 GOO; th.t Of the enemy is estimated u from
81 900 10 10000.
is iInpoi sibe, in the present confused state Of
.aars, to sscert.ia any Of The details l. therefore,
give Won the beat account possible rom observation
having passed through the storm Of action during
,he two days iha, it ragged
The Gsbt was brought on BY body Of 300 Of The
25h Missouri Regiment. Of Gen. Premises division,
attacking tie sdysnce.gnard OF tho Rebes, which
were supposed 10 be the piekets Of the my in
front Of orr camps.
The Rebels immediately advanced on Gen
sral Premises division on the left wing,
pouripg voley after volley of plskexy,
and Kidding our camps With grape, canister,
AID shell. Our forces soon formed into line and re-
,urnel their fire vigorously, and by the time we
were prepared 10 receive them, had turned their
heaviest Ere on the eft center Of Sherman division
spd drove our men back from their camps AID bring
ing up fresh force, opened 6re on our le's wing,
under Gen. McClerna1d. This fire was returntd
with terrible effect and determined spirit b. both ~
fantry aud artillery along the whole lire for dis
taDce Of over four miles
Gen. Huilburt's division was thrown forward to
support the center, when desperate conflict ens"ed.
The Rebels we're driven back with terrible slaughter
bat soon rallied and drove back our men in turn.
From about 9 Q clock, the time yonr correspondent
arrived on the field, until night elosei on
the bloDody scene, there wac no determination
of the result Of tie struggle. The Rebels
exhibited remarkably good generaiship at times
engaging tue left with apparently their whole
strength, they would suddenly open terrible
and destructive fire on Tie night or center. Even our
beaviest and most destructive Ere upon lie enemy
did not appear 10 discourage their cold columns The
fire Of Major Jaylor's Chicago artillery raked them
down in scores, but the smoke would 10 sooner be
dppersod than the breach would sgain be filled.
The most desperate fighting took place late in the
afternoon. Toe Rebes kuew that If they did not
succeed in whipping then, that their chances Tor
success would be extremely doubtful portion OF
Gen. Buen's forces had by ths time arrived on he
opposite side Of The river md another portion was
coming up the river from Savannah. They became
aware that we were being re-enforced, they coui
zee Gen. Buelrs troops from the river bank, short
distance above US on the left 70 which point they
hai forced their way.
At5oclocz the Rebels bad forced our LEFT wing
back 20 as to occupy fully two-thirds Of our Gang,
and were fight Dg their way forward WITH dee-
perate deeree Of conf 1ence in their efforts 10 drive
or into tie river, and a. the s9me time heavily en-
gagged our right
Jp 10 the time we had received 10 reenforcements
Gen. Lew. Wallace fsiincto come 70 our support IN
I'll the day wac over, having taken the wrong road
from Crumps Landing, and being without other
transports ihaa thcse used Cor Quaferuas,efs snd
ComlnissaTy store, which were 100 heavily la
den % ferry auv considerable number Of Gene
rs Bueips forces across he rve!, those that were
here having been zen, 10 bring up the troops from
Savannah. We were, therefore, con.esting against
fearful odds, Our force not exceeding 8 900 uen,
while that Of the enemy was upwards Of 60,0o0.
Our condition st The momen, vas extremely criti-
cal. Large numbers OF men, panic struck, oihen
worn out by hard fighting, with the average
percentage Of sku.keIs, had struggled toward
the riyer, and could not 10 rallied. General
Gran. Hni staff, who had been recklessy hdiog
slong the lines durng he entire day, AMID the
s,asing storm Of bulle.s, grape and shell, now rode
from right 70 eit, melting the TO stand rm undl
DOR fe-enlofcements could cross the river.
Col. Webs.er Chief Of SAT, Immediately @,
tufo u0s the ne.yt.e4 y.;o,as Of ert.tl.rv
pointing on the snemys night, while a large
humber Of the batteries we're planted along
fbe entire line, from ne river bank northwest
20 our extreme rg1t, gone TWO AID half miles
distant. Abou, % honr before duck, general cen.
ponadi0g was opened upou tie enemy, from along
Cur whole line, with perpetual crack Of in1ske,ry.
S1ch q roar % eriiisry Was never heard this
Comment. For Fh0a 1me, tie Rebels replied
Will yigoT and effect, but their return shots tfew
hes frequent AID ces,uctye, whie oars grew more
rapo anc more terrible.
Tie ganto4,s Lexington aud Tyler, which lay o
'oO'' o'''anee OF, key raining shell on the Rebel
D''oef' ANS iesi eiast VIC 200 much iorthe enemy,
anu ere o'sA had ct ~ tie Laug bad nearly ceased
"H"'' Nsl' coming %, all iao coinbataL.s Terled
from toe'f awful work Of blood ,1d oara4e.
VIE nsn Fe7ed on ibe.r ar,os ~ ne position thcy
Lal al l1e eos' 'i Tie aiglt, until tho forces under
h'9oi-Gen. Wallace aryed AID toos posi.ioa on tie
nf'', ana Gen B'e.s forces from the opposite side
end Savannah now teog conveyed % tire battle
eroand. Tie entire Iiglt u Geu. Nelson's division
Wa ordered 10 form On TIE right, AMI he forces
"ndef Gen. CT'ueafea were ordered 70 bis sopDort
snly ia the Eofnins.
TIT SECOND DAYS IirIiE
Gen. Boeil having mieed ,be following everlrq.