Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-04-22
Gen. Grants Report.
HEADQUARTERS DIsT. OF WEsr Tenn
Pittsburg, April 9, 1862.


PittsLurg, April 9. 1862.
Capt n. H. KcCean, a. A. Gen Dept Of tie
Mississippi, 81. Louis, Missouri:
CAPTAIN: Ii becomes my duty again to
report another battle, fought between two
great armies enc cOntending for the main.
tenance OF the best Government ever devils
ed, the ether for its destruction. Ii is
pleasant TO record the success of II army
cOntending for the former principle.
On Sunday morning, our p:ekets vere
attacked aud driven by the enemy. In
mediately the FIVE divisions stationed atthis
place were drawn up in line Of battle ready
to meet them. The battle econ vaxed
warm or the left and center, varying at
times to all parts Of the line.
The most continuous firing Of musketry
and artillery ever heard on this continent
was keptup until nightfall. the enemy
having forced the entire line to fall back
hall way from their camps to the landing.
At a late hour in the afternoon desperate
effort made BY the enemy to turn cur
left and get possession Of the landing, tran.
sports, &C. This point was guarded by the
gunboats Tyler and Lexington, CAPTAINS
Gwynn and Shirk, U. S. ~, commanding
four 2O-pounder Parrot guns, and battery
Of rified guns. As there is deep and I'M.
passible rayine for artillery, and very diff
cult for infantry at this point, no troops
were stationed here except the necessary
artlllerists, and a small infantry force for
their support. just at this moment the
advance Of Major General Buell's column,
Ia part OF the division of Gen. Nelson, ar.
rived, the two Generals named, both being
present. An advance was Immediately
made upon the point Of attack, and the
L -
much is due to the presence Of the gunboats
Tyler and Lexington, and their able com.
manders, Captains Gwynn and Shirk.-
During the night the divisions under Gen.
erals Crittenden and McCook arrived.
Gen. Lew. Wallace, at CRUMBS 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 10
which 1t might be ordered. At about IL
! O'Clock, the order was delivered to move il
up to PIttsburg, but owing to its being led
! by eircuItous route, and 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,
and advance Was ordered as soon as day
dawned. the result was a repulse of the
/ enemy at all points Of the line, from morn
| ing until probably 3 o'clock in the after
noon, when 1t became evident the enemy
was retreatiGg.
| Before the close of the action. the adj
vance Of Gen. L. j. Woods division arriy.
/ ed, IN time to take part in the action. Nv
force was too much fatigued from two davis
hard lighting, and exposed in the open uir
to drenching rain during the intervening
night, TO pursue Immediately. Night
closed IN cloudy and with heavy rain, max
ing the roads impraeticable for artillery bv
the next morning. Gen Sherman, how
ever, followed the enemy, finding tina. the
main part Of The army had retreated in
good order. Hospitals Of the enenT's
wounded were found all along tho road a.
far as pursuit was made. Dead bodies Of
the enemy and many graves were also
found i enclose herewith report Of Gen.
Sherman, which viii explain more fully
the result Of the pursuit. OF the part taken
by each separate command, / cannot take
special note in this report, but will do 60
more fully when reports Of division com
manders are handed in.
General Buell.. coming on the field with
a distinct army, long under bis command.
and which did such efficient service, COM
manded by himself III person on the field,
will be much better able TO notice those
OF bis command who particularly distiu-
guished themselves, than ] possibly can.
feel 1t duty, however, to o gallant
and able officer, Brigadier General W. T..
Sherman, to make special mention. He
not only was with his command during the
entire Of the two days action, but DISPLAYED
great judgment and skill in the manages
ment Of bis men. Although severely
wounded in the hand the first day. his
place was never vacant lie was again
wounded, and had three horses killed under
him.
In making this mention Of d gall ant eff
Ger, no disparagment is intended TO the 9th.
er division commanders, Major. Gems. John
A. McClernand and Lew. Wallace, and
Brigadier Generals S. A. Hurlbut, 3. NJ.
Prentiss and W. IL. L Wallace, al Of
whom maintained their places with credi,
to themselves and the cause.
Cen PreDtiss was taken prisoner in the
first days action, and Gen. W II. Wallace
severely, probably mortally wounded
HIS Assistant Adjutant General, Captain
William MeMichael, is missing, probably
taken prisoner.
The Medical Department under direction
Of Surgeon Hewitt, Medical Director, showed
great energy in providing for the wounded
and 10 getting them from the FIELD, regard.
less of danger.
Col. Webster was placed in special Charge
o! all the artillery, and was constantly Ut on
the field He displayed, as always hereto
tore, both skill and bravery. At least in
one instance be was the means Of PLACING
an entire regiment IN a position Of doing
most valuable service, and where il would
not have been but for bis exertions.
Lieut.. Col. Mcpherson, attached TO nv
staff as Chief of Engineers, deserves more
than u passing nntics for bis activity and
courage. All the grounds beyond our
CAMPS for miles have been recOnnoitered bv
him, and plats carefully prepared under bis
supervision, giving accurate information
Of the nature OfapprOaches to our lines.
During the two days battle he was con-
stantly IN the saddle, leading troops as they
arrived 10 points where their services were
! required. During the engagement be had
one horse shot under him.
The untry will have to mourn the loss
OF many brave men who fell at the battle Of
Pit;sburg, or Shiloh, more properly. The
exact loss in killed and wounded will be
know Il il day or two at present can
only give 1t approximately at 500 killed
and 3 500 wounded.
The loss Of artillery was great, MANY
pieces OcihE uiraDitu " tne enemy shots,
; and some losing all their borses and ulany
men. There were probably not less than
two hundred horses killed.
The less Of the enemy, in killed aud
left upon the field, was greater than ours.
In wounded. the estimate cannot be made.
as many Of them must have been sent "a
COrinth and other points.
am, respectfully. your obedient servant.
u. S GRANT,
Major General Commanding.