The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-25

over the bodies of the wounded and slain.
In those terrible moments, they had lost all
fear of their master, man. Officers OF
splendid genius led the rebels in their mad
charges, and the huge attacking army OF
eighty thousand or more, was handled cas-
lily, and skillfully as engineers control some
great machine. Now the whole mass would
be hurled against one portion of the ex-
tended Union lines, then suddenly diverted
and another point attacked. Our batteries,
on which 80 much depended, were especial
ly their marks, and, rushing to the lannon's
mouth, fierce conflicts would take place as
the artilerists defended their guns. One
battery was captured and retaken six times,
and at last lost when half its men were
! killed. General Sherman's division fought
nobly, but they, too, at first disputing ihch
by inch the ground, were beaten back, and
| the tide of battle rushed on towards Me-
| Clernand and Hurlbut.
In them it met formidable barrier, and
| the gallant soldiers of the late victories met
the onset with frmness aud courage. Reg
ularIy they fired each volley, instantly they
obeyed every order, and their unbroken
ranks checked the foe. By hundreds they
fell, and there were none to fill the gaps,
while the rebel column grew stronger and
holder as their reinfOrcements came shout
ing on. For every one slain another took
his place, and the surging lines of the foe
Smith moved up to reinforce, but the ODDS
we're too great, and the little army rapidly
lost ground.
General Grant rode from point to point,
directing movements and cheering the men;
but groups of individuals, towards, the only
mystery of whose life is that they ever be-
came soldiers, were rushing around spread
ing absurd rumors, and by their causeless
fight throwing whole regiments into panic.
When told to stand firm they did directly
the opposite, and came near being shelled,
from necessity, into obedience. Every off
Ger stood CALAMITY at his post, and the loud
words of command were heard above the
noise of conflict as they cheered their men
onward.
At ten o'clock the enemy had driven US
back short distance, and the battle for
half hour became more one of artillery.
General Hurlbut's division supported the
centre.
Our lines had contracted and were less
open to fanking movements, yet fearfully
exposed to the steady FIRE of the enemy.
tackled, sometimes driving, and more fire.
quently being driven. The issue seemed
doubtful, and there were thousands of de
spairing hearts in the Union army as they
fought, with full knowledge at last of the
fearful odds against them. One moment
victory seemed ours, the next it had fed,
and ruin seemed settling on the flag that
had so often lately been victorious. The
enemy battled with vigor they never
showed before, and 10 one or two ravines
the ground was so slippery with blood, that
it was impossible to stand.
They would rush yelling like maniacs
against some little band, who standing firm
beneath the shock would resist unit! finally,
a mere handful left, they fell back, and ex,
hausted, dispirited, joined the fugitives in
the rear. One moment the enemy would
attack our army's right wing, then suddenly
change position and appear upon our left.
Occasionally they run into a place where
canister and grape would sweep them down
by hundreds, yet the thinned ranks were
instantly filled, and perhaps the destructive
battery eventually taken.
1t was evident they were stalking their
all on the issue, and Beauregard was en-.
deavOring to overwhelm the Union army
before it could be reinforced. Noon came
and passed; not drop of water or morsel
OF food passed the parched lips of the
combatants. A heavy atmosphere drove
the dense volumes of smoke downwards, un.
til it was sitting. Not pause occurred,
and the battle ragged furiously as ever. At
length, couple of regiments in being led to
charge became panic stricken, and fed.
A few Others followed their example. The
toe saw their advantage and improved it.
Their artillery took favorable positions,
the position of the force engaging our right
wing was increased, all moved so as to turn
the tanks of Gen. Netherlands division,
and to save his command from capture he
had to retreat. Instances of Individual
daring were numerous. A color bearer in
the Seventeenth Kentucky regiment was
struck down by cannon ball, and a rebel
officer Selling the flag was bearing it away
when a private from the Seventeenth rushed
back, stuck his bayonet into the body of
the officer, and graspipg the sign, rejoined
bis companions, but when reaching the
ranks fell dead, having received three balls.
A young cavalry officer, after twice riding
for hundreds ofyards EXPOSED to the enemy's
most destructive fire, and delivering bis Or
ders safely, while making a third attempt,
was struck on toe shoulder by passing
shell, which exploded on the instant, tear.
ing his body to pieces.
Colonel Sweeny, Acting Brigadler Gen.,
remained on the field all day, although be
had received three wounds, two of which
were in bis only remaining arm, be having
lost one in Mexico.
Colonel McHenry of the Seventeenth
Kentucky was wounded while calamity
leading his men to charge.
About the middle of the afternoon Gen.
Nelson's division appeared on the opposite
bank, and knowing how diminished their
chances of success would be should he sue
coed in reinforcing General Grants army,
the rebels pressed their attack with renew.
ed fury. But the knowledge of aid near at
hand gave fresh vigor to tie exhausted army