The New York herald., 1862-04-16
the BATTLE ON SUNDAY.
OUR MIN SURPRISED.

OUR MBN SURPRISED.
Almost at dawn shsrman's pickets were driven in q
very little later Prsntss' wsre and the enemy were
into the camps almost as were the pcksts them
selves.
Here began scenes which, let us hope, will have no
parallel in remaining annals Of the war. Many par.
tcuarly among officers. were not yet out Of bed.
Others dressing others washing, others cooking
few eating their breakfasts Many guns unloadcd,
accoutrements lying pel NELL, ammunition was i'll sup
plied-in short the camps completely surprised
dsgraceuly might be added unless some one can here
after give some yet undiscovered reason to the CON
trary-and taken at almost every possible dsad-
vantage.
The first wild cries from the pickes rushing in, and
the few scattering shots that preceded their arrya
aroused the regiments TO Of their peril an instant
afterwards rafting voleys Of musketry poured through
the tents while, before there time for thought or
preparation there rushing through the woods with
lines Of battle sweeping the whole fronts Of the division
camps and bending down either flank the fne dash
ing, compact columns Of the enemy.
Into the just aroused camps thronged the rebel reg
ments firing sharp vocys they came, and springing
forward upon laggards with the bayonet for while
their artillery already In position was tossing shells
the further side Of the sncampmsnts, scores were
shot down as they were running, without wea-
pons, hatlsss, coatless, toward the river. The
searching bullets found other poor unfortunates
in their tents and there, all unheedng now they still
slumbsred while the unseen foe rushed on. Others fell
as they were disentangng themselves from tho naps
that formed the doors TO their TENTS others as they
were buckling their accoutremsnts others as they
vanly trying to impress the cruelty cxutant
enemy their readiness TO surrender.
Ofnccrs were bayoneted In their beds and left for
dead who through the whole two days fearful strur
gle, lay there gasping in their agony, and on Monday
evening found in their gore inside their tents and
Such were the fearful disasters that opened the rebe,
onset on the lines Of Bucklands brigade in Shermans
Of the details were the fates Of Prentiss entire front
Meantime, what they could our shattered regiments
did. Falling rapidly back through the heavy woods till
they gained protecting ridge, firing thoy ran and
making what resistance thus situated might Sher-
mans succeeded in partially checking the rush OF
Meantime the other two bgades OF the division no The
rightly sprang hastily 10 their arms and had barely done
40 when the enemys lines came sweeping up against
their fronts, too and the battle thus opened fercev
along Sherman's whole line the right.
Buckland's brigade had been compelled 10 abandon
their camps without struggle Some Of the regiments
is even said ran without firing gun Colonel Spplers
Fifty third Ohio is loudly complained Of this score
and others are mentioned II certain that parts OF
regiments both here and in other divisions dsrrace
fully. Yet they not wholly without excuse They
were raw troops, just from the usual dlencss Of our
camps OF Instruction. hundreds Of them had never
heard gun fred in anger; their officers for the most
part equally inexperenced they had been reposng
In fancied security, and were awaked perhaps from
sweet dreams Of home and wives and children by the
stunning Of cannen in thor very midst and the
bursting Of bombsheli among their ents-to see only
the serrcd columns Of the magnificent rebel ADVANCE and
through the binding. sitting smoke the hasty retreat
Of comrades and supports right and left Certainly IL
sac enough but hardly surprising, that under such
circumstances some should Half much caused
the Wild panic at Bull for which the nation as enc
man, became loud.mouthed apolorst
But they ranhere as ia Prepties division Of which
last more IN momontand the enemy did NOT fail to
profit by the wild disorder As Buckands a brigade fe
back McCernand threw forward hisSieft 10 suprort a.
Meanwhile Sherman was rdoing his best N raiv bs
troops--dashng along the lines epcourag;pr thsn
everywhere by his presence and exposing his own life
with the same freedom with which he demanded tbor
offer of theirs, he did much save the dv,son from,
utterfdsetrucon Hidebrand and McDoweli veya cow
PEELED TO retro their brigadcs from their esmn,
across the little ravne behind but here for time thv
made gallant defence while what was left Of
falling back 10 such order IL might and lesyn
McClernands e 10 take their place and check the wavs
Of rebel advance.
CAPTURE GENERAL pRryTIss
General Prentss was faring scarcely 80 well Most OF
his troops stood their ground TO be formed into line but
strangely enough, the hDe was drawn IN IN an omen
space, leaving to the enemy tho cover Of the dense
scrub eak in 'front.' from which they could pour 10 their
voeys in comparative safety,
yhi NEE hsle shss p0sliios with AZ Sbsppasy ,hs'