New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-12
Additional Details of the Fight.
,DIICAL POSITION OF THE UNION FORCES.
heir Bravery and ValOr ExtricateS Them.
pf euNBoATS COME TO THEIR RESCUE.
HOW GEN. JOHNSTON WAS KILLED.

CHICAGO, THURSDAY, April 10. 1852.
The Times special in its account of the Pitisburg
httle, says:
Gems. Prentiss and Sherman, with re-enforcements
hn Gen. Hurlbur, maintained their position. The
,,ses gradually extended to the center, under Nc
clspsnd, which soon became engaged with supe'
80, force. Up TO noon these four divisions-Pren-
L. =. Sherman, Hurlbult, and McClernsnds-heldt the
.,,re Rebel force in check. Although the enemy was
,m,tan,ly bringing mp fresh troops, they gained no
/ .,vaptage until noon. Our lines were unbroken,
.,.ept Gen. Premises command. They being COM
| ,.ed to fail back abandoned the camp.
Gems. Beauregard and Johnston commanded on
II, right and Gen. Polk on the left. Shortly after
! mon the enemy made grand attack on our whole
line. Our forces obstnatoiy held their ground until
he enemy buried the entire force Of 10000 men
sgsinH us.
Our liue fell back under the pressure, in good
wdsr, half OF three-quariers Of mile, abandoning
be camp to the enemy, taking position in a semi
arcle on the bank of the river. Here they stood
iauovabe, and fought obstinstely FIVE hours, the
Cound being fought over and over again.
The gunboais Tyler and Lexington had got within
fN~N
,oured in storm of shot and she'll which fairly ALL
Initiated them. Our immense siege guns had the
same portion on the right, 90 that wherever the
Rebels turned they met iron hail, which scattered
bsm ike ehaa. They advanced no more, but stub
bOrnly held their position. Night came Oh without
ADV change.
In the mean time Gen. Buell. arrived on the oPPo-
Gie bend Of the river, having made forced IN ,rch
ali DAY. Eight regiments were crossed, took posi-
ton in the center, aud immediately engaged the
enemy. TIE fight continued with unparalleled OBJ
snscy and appalling slaughter till darkness closed.
Durirg the night Gen. Buell. crossed with 30 ,OOO
uen. Gen. Nelson took position on the left, and
Gen. McCook in the center.
The battle was renewed in the morning by the
arrival Of 2 900 re-enforcements under Gen. Bragg
who were pIecipitated on Sherlnsn's MeClernand's
and WAllace's divisions. They were held in check
however, and at the same time Gen. Wilson threw
himself on their right with bic division supported by
Hurlburt and al lhe other available force.
The enemy, after maintaining their ground till
.. H., gave way. The decisive blow was given by
Gen. Grant, who headed charge OF elk regiments it
person. and precpatedlt bis whole body oD the enemy'
rsn Retreat a. once became general. Within hall
IN hour tho whole Rebel army was falling back in
Gsmay. Our rejoiced soldiers followed them, driv-
ing them through camp in complete disorder
Thew were soon driven on broken country, wher,
they would not form or fight. There was no relaxa
ton in the pursuit At the last accounts the cavar,
were eleven miles from the river, still following
The fugitiyes, exhausted, lie down and wait 10 b
taken prisoners. We can get no estimate of ou
Loss: il IL immense, however. Some Of our regi
ptpts had not above 160 or 200 left.
Gen. Prentiss displayed conspicuous bravery
during the first part of the engagement, and before
be w7as taken he had Just led gallant charge oi
1000 men against superior force OF the enemy
He yss repulsed, and received musket-ball In the
arm. Al the same time his horse was killed. BE
fore be cond extricste himself the enemy were upon
hin.
lam informed on authority direct from the Rebe
camp that BeauFegard made his advance on Friday
70 q point within few miles Of Gen. Grants pon
bon here formed his line Of battle, and during th'
rioht resumed bis march, coming upon our forces be
fore daybreak, completely surprising them. Ih'
only wonder is ths, reut Of oui army did not ensn'
a. once. Gen. Hurburt, whose division was IN re
wrye. made himself the main prop on which the for
tunes of the day hung. He acted with the utmos
promptness.
Gen. A. 8. Johnston was killed IN the forenoon o.
sbs second days fight, during the attack on bis posi
ton BY our forces, while endeavoring 10 rally hi
men. Apparently fearless Of danger, be rode slons
she entire 'front.' waving his sword, shouting to hi
dsuayed officers and frightened men. When The
rcut was at it, hight, cannon ball struck him
crushing his skull, killing hin instantly His body
va. found by our pursuers and brought TO Gen.
Nelson's tsnt.