The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-09
Very Latest by Telegraph
4 O'CLOCK p. M.
THE TERRIBLE FIGHT at PITTSBURGH
SIDNEY JOHNSON KILLED !

Aac 1Ehh1bLE F1GHI at PITTSBURGH
SIDNEY JOHNSON KILLED !
Rebel Loss 10000 Union $4,000
NEW YORK, April 9. a special despatch to
the Herald dated Pittsburgh via Fort Henry, !
april 8, 3:2O A. NJ, says one of the greatest |
and bloodiest battles OF modern days has lust
closed. resulting in the complete ront Of the |
enemy who attacked Us at daybreak Sunday
morning. The battle lasted without inter
mission during the entire day, and was renewed
! Monday morning and continued until i O o'clock
Z. NJ, when the enemy commenced their re-
treat and are still flying towards Corinth, pur-
sued by Il large lorce OF our cavalry.
The slaughter upon both sides is immense
We have lost in killed, wounded and missing
FROM 900 to 20 600 men that OF the enemy
Is estimated at from 35 600 to 10 900. 1t is
impossible, IN the present confused state OF af-
fairs, to ascertain every detail therefore give
you the best account possible from observation,
having passed through the storm of action dur
ing the TWO days that i, ragged.
The fight was brought on by "a body OF 800
OF the 10Th Missouri reg iment, of Gen. Prem
tiss' alvislon, attacking the advance guard of
the enemy in front Of our camps. The rebels
Immediately advanced Gen. Preuti.s' dlvs-
ion, On the left wing, pouring in voiley after
yolley of rIusketry, and Kidding our camps
with grape. canister and shot. Our force SOON
formed in line of battle and returned the fire
vigorously.
i3y the Time we were prepared to receive them
they had turned their heaviest fire on the left
centre OF Sherman division and drove men
back from their camps, and Bringing up a fresh
force opened fire on our lelt wing under Gen.
McClernand.
This fire was returned with terrible effect and
determined spirit by both infantry and artillery
along the whole line for distance Of 4 miles.
Gen. Hurlburt s division was thrown forward TO
support the centre, where a desperate conflict
ensued. The rebels were driven back with
terrible slaughter. but soon rallied and drove
back our men IN turn.
From about clock, the time your cores.
popdent arrived on the field, until night cloSed
on the bloody scene there was no determination
Of the result Of the struggle. There was re-
,uarkably good generaship, Il. times engaging
the lett with apparently their whole strength,
they. would suddenly open terrible and de-
structive ire ON the right or centre
:, Even our heaviest and most destructive fire
, upon the enemy did not appear to discourage
their solid columns The fire Of Maj lay lor's
Chicago artillery raked them down in scores,
but The smoke would no sooner be dispersed than
the breach would again BE- filed. The most
desperate fighting took place in the afternoon.
II The rebels knew that if t;ey did not succeed in
t whipping Us then that their chances tor success
n would be extremely doubtful. portion OF
) Gen. Buell. forces had arrived on the opposite
side Of tic river from Savannah
They became aware that we were being rein
forced as they could see Gen Buell's troops
a from the river bank short distance above u
}. on the left, to winch point they had iorceC
their way At clock the rebels had forced
e. our left wing back 50 as to occupy fully two
1t thirds of our camp. and were lighting their Wa.
p forward with desperate degree OF contdcnc
n their efforts to drive us into the river, and il
the same time heavily engaged our right. VI
to this time We had received no reintorcetnents
Gen. Lew. Wallace failing TO come 10 our sup
es port until the day was over. anu having take
as the wrong road from Cramps Landing, ami ne
es ing without other transports than those used 10
=. Quartermasters and Commissary stores, whlc
j. were too heavily laden to ferry any considerable
as number OF Gen. Buell's forces across the rive!
cd chose that were here having been sent 10 brln
up the troops from Savannah We were therl
fore contcnding against fearful odds, our force
not exceeding SO 900 men. while that OF IN
enemy was upwards Of 60, 900. Our conditlo
n a, this moment was extremely critical, as larg
n numbers of our men were panic struck, whll
:, Others were worn out by hard lighting, with III
al average per cent of skulkeIs who had stragge
" towards the river and could not be rallied.
III Gen. Grant and staff, who had been reckless
y " riding along the lines during the entire day
amid an increasing storm Of bullets, grape an
~ she'll, now rode from right to left, melting I'll
ue men TO stand firm until reintorcements coul
ST. cross the river. Col Webster, chief Of stat
lie Immediately got into position the heaviest piec'
n of artillery pointing on the encmys rIgh
lst while large number of batteries We're plaate
Is. along the entire line from the river bank Nolti
OF west to our extreme right, some two and t. ha
- miles distant About an hour before dusk
ne general cannonadiDg was opened upon the emf
Led nv from along our whole line with perpetu
crack of musketry. Such Il roar OF artilier
lin was never heard on thi, continent. For sho
ne time the rebels replied with vieor and ehsc
PIC bu, their return shots grew less frequent AL
=. destructive. while ouIsgrew more rapid and te
'ls, rible. Gunboats Lexington and Tyler, whi'
jur Law short distance eff, kept throwing shells {
iey the rebel hordcs. This last effort was too nu'
for the enemy
lad Ere dark had set in. the firing had near
'ses ceased when, night coming on, ali comoatan
WIS rested from the work of blood and carnage. y
men rested on their arms in the position tn
This bad ut the close Of the fight, until the forc
son under Mai Gen. Wallace arrived and TOOK
- l.an