The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-04-30

a14tf a. > 81 .
The Bloody Contest at Pittsburg Land
% ss ing, on the Tennessee River. 20
'nsAs this terrible affair brings mourning
and sorrow to tens of thousands of fami
lies, we shall endeavor to give all such
particulars of the affair as are reliable.
aud which may convey to the anxious rel
,stiyes and friends of the poor fellows who
have seen this sad hour of trial. as much
satisfaction as possible. We copy liber.
ally from the report of one of the editors
OF the Cincinnati Times, who was on the
ground, and which brings Us the first in-
felligibie account of the terrific scene that
reaches u.s. The fight on Sunday lasted.
with ell the fury of desperate war, for
fifteen hours. This was the first days
sbattle.G; ;xs8 lc seg 5ss Eaao4g sae
sal 81 Sass PosrTIoN OF THE FORCES. a
9 The battle ground chosen for the strug-
gle of to; day occupied q semi circle o
about three and half miles from the
town Of Pittsburg. our forces being sta
tione1 in the form of semi-circlc, tht
right resting on a point north of Crump'
Landing, our center being directly il
front OF the main rosd to Coria.h, AM
sour left extending 70 the river, in the 6i
.rectien of Hamburg, small place fou
miles north Of Pittsburg Landing.
1t has been known for some days pas
that proper attention had not. been pal
TO the placing Of pickets at sufficient dis
1..ance from our front lines to insure again'
surprise, aud In some cases it had bee
neglected altogetheS, No pickets. it
said, have been placed in front of Ger
ssPseutiss' division, although it was know
that the secesh spies aud scouting partie
were continually hsvering even near
the outside row of tents of his regiment
They were TO be met by every scoutin
party which left our camps, and the rel
counters of the last few days have prove
40 disastrous TO them that they dete
mined TO repay them with interest
.'tssszslsel TIE FIRST ATTACK -
- At,two O'Clock this morning, Col Pc
j body, sofo Prentiss' Division, fearing tb
everything was not right, dispatched
body of four hundred men beyond t
camp, for the purpose of looking aft
- any force that might be lurking in th
direction. The step was wisely take
for half q miles advance showed a hea
force approaching, who fired upon th'
with great slaughter. Those who escape
fell back to the 25 Missouri Regimes
~swiftfy parsued by the enemy. The &C
lest had been of but short duration, a
The advance of the secessionists reach
the brigade of Col Peabody just as t
long roll was sounded and the men VI
falling into line. Their resistance, tax
.eso unawares, was of. but short dnrati,
and they rstreated in as good order
was possible under a calling fire, III
they reached the lines of the Seco
Division. fi6E aaHv v+t sa
-slAt six O'Clock the attack had beco
general along the entire front of our Ii
The, enemy, in large force had drl
the picle.s of Gen Sherman's Divi,i
and fallen with vengeance on the 4
: Regiment, 20. " M. Col Sullivan,
Y-A70th, Col. j CockerelI, and the 72d, {
Buckland. The troops here had ne
before been in action, and being SO
aexpeetedly attacked, ere they could f
% understand their position. or get into
they. made as able resistance as was
b sible, but were. in common with the fo
of Gen Prentiss forced to seek supl
-al on the troops Immediately in their r
The. Fifth Ohio Cavalry, formerly
longing to this Division. had been
moved to Gen. Hurlbuts command
liday before yesterday, and their pl
s.snpplied, andicamp occupied by the
ond Illinois Cavalry. These latter k
nothing of the approach Of the en-