The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1862-04-11
Vivid account of the battle
of Pittsburg Landing The
desperate nature of the con-
est-Later from Island No.
1O-Inamense trophies of
victory-Interesting from
New Mexico.


| 18th Missouri; swiftly pursued by the enc
my. The advance of the rebels reaehe
Gen. Peabody's brigade just as the zion
roll" was sounded, and the men were fall
ing into line. The distance was but shor
and they retreated under CALLING fire unit
they reached the lines Of the I'd Division.
| At 6 o'clock the attack had become gen
| eral along the entire front of our lines. TIL
enemy in large force drove in the pickets @
Gen. Sherman's Division and fell with ven
geanee on the 18th, 10th and I'D Ohio
These troops, never before in action, anC
being so unexpectedly attacked, made o.
able resistance as possible, but were il
common with the forces of Gen. Prentiss
forced to seek support on troops immedi-
ately in Their rear.
] At 10 o'clock the entire lines on both
sides were fully engaged. The roar of can
non and musketry was without intermis-
sion, from the main center 10 the point ex-
tending halt way down the left wing. The
rebels made desperate charge on the 18th
Ohio battery, and it, not being sufficiently
sustained by infantry, fell into their hands.
Another severe fight occurred for the pos
session of the 9th Ohio battery, and three of
its guns were taken by the enemy
by l o'clock number of commanders
of regiments had fallen, and in some cases
not single field officer remained; yet the
tight continued with an earnestness which
showed that tho contest on both sides was
for death or victory. Foot by foot the
ground was contested, and finding It inn
possible to drive back our center, the enemy
slackened sheir fire and made vigorous
effort on our left wing, endeaYoring to out
flank and drive it to the river bank. In
This wing was under command of Gen.
Hurlbnt, and composed of the 24th, 32d,
44th and 9th Indiana, sth 2Ist and 18th
Illinois. Fronting its entire line, however,
were the Oath. 90 and 77th Ohio and the
1st Ohio Cavalry OF Sherman's Division. 1
For neasly two hours a sheet of flame
blazed from both columns; the rebels fight
ing with valor that was only equalIed by
those who were contending against them.
While the contest ragged the hottest the
gunboat Tylor passed up the river to
point oppssite the enemy and poured in
broad-sides from her immense guns, great
~ aiding in forcing back the enemy.
Up to 8 O'clock the battle ragged with
fury that defes description. The rebels
had found every attempt to break our lines
unRvailing.
They had striven to drive in our main
column, and finding that impossible turned
all their strength on our left wing.
Fooled in that quarter, they made an
attack on our center and made every effort
to route our forces before re-enforcements,
which had been sent for, could come up.
At o'clock there was a short cessation |
in the firing of the enemy, and their lines |
falling back on their center for nearly half |
"A mile, they suddenly wheeled and again |
threw their entire force on our left wing,
to make a final struggle in that |
quarter. But the gunboats Tylor and Lex
ington poured in their shots thick and fast. !
and with terrible effect
In the meantime Gen. Wallace who had |
taken circuitous route from Crump's |
landing, opened suddenly on the enemy 8 |
right wing. In this combination of cir |
cumstances, the rebels felt that their enter |
prise for the day was failure, and as |
night was approaching they fell back until |
they reached an advantageous position |
somewhat in the rear, yet occupying the |
main road to Corinth.
The gunboats continued to send their |
shells after them till they were out of range,
and after a weary watch of several hours OF /
intense anxiety the advance regiments of /
Gen. BuslPs army appeared on the opposite /
side of the river.
The work of passing the river began
The Both Ind. and the 9th Ohio being the
FIRST to cross, were followed by the main
portion of Gen. Nelson's and Bruce's divis- /
ions. Cheer after cheer greeted their Rrri-
val and they were Immediately sent to the /
advance where they rested on their arms
for the night.
All night long steamers were engaged in /
ferrying Buell's forces across the river and /
when day light broke in, it was evident /
that the rebels, too, had been strongly rein
forced.
The battle was opened by the rebels at
o'clock at the Oorinth road, and in half an
hour extended along the whole line. at 8
o'clock the sound of artillery and musketFy
fully cqualled that of the previous day.
The enemy was met by the reinforce
ments and the still unwearied soldiers of
with an energy which they GER
tainly did not expect.
It became evident that the enemy were |
avoiding the extreme of our left wing and
with perseverance, and determi-
nation to find some weak point, by which to
turn our force. They left one point but to
return to it Immediately and then as sud
denly would, by some mastery stroke of
direct the most vigorous attack
upon some division where they faneied they
you'd not be expected.
But the fire of our lines was as steady
hat the enemy considered the task they had
hopeless one.
Further achievements now began TO ar
i've ana took position on the right Of the
main center under Gen. Wallace.
Gems. Wallace, Grant, Buell., Nelson and
1rittenden were everywhere present direct
ng the movements, for new stroke on the
enemy. Suddenly both wings Of our army
we're turned upon the enemy, with the in
ention of driving them into an extensive
avine, at the same time powerful battery
vas stationed in an open field, which pour
d volley after volley of canister into the
ebel ranks.
At half past eleven the roar of the battle
hook the earth. The Union guns were
ired with all the energy that the prospect &
# the enemy's defeat inspired, while the
ebePs fire was not so vigorous and they
WINGED a desire to withdraw. They finally .
ell back slowly, keeping up their ire from
heir artillery AMI musketry along their
Q hole column. D.