Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-10
A Terrible Conflict and "a Great
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If the telegraph reports even approximate the
truth. on Sunday aud Monday last was fought
the greatest battle in the annals of modern war
fare. The reports thus far give but meager de-
scription of the engagement, the numbers upon
either side and the results. Early on Sunday morn
Ing. tile battle commenced BY an unexpected
assault from the rebels upon advanced forces
beyond Pittsburg. led. it is said. By BEAuRE-
GARD. The conflict ragged furously all day,
and both Northern and Southern accounts agree
that il to the advantage of the rebels.
Our forces were driven back to the Tennessee
river. with the loss of camp equipage. a large
number Of cannon and prisoners. There, with
the assistance Of gunboats, our army was en-
abled 20 maintain its position. On Monday the
battle was renewed. On Sunday Gen GRAxr
WIS largely reinforced. This increase of his
force with fresh troops finally gave him the
advantage. The battle of Monday was no less
fierce and determined than that of the previous
day. Late in the afternoon the tide OF battle
turned in our favor. The enemy was repuIsed
and driven back. The camp and cannon lost the
previous day were recovered and the routed rebel
army retreated to their retrenchments, success
fully pursued by Gen BuELL's division.
We presume only an estimate is given of the
loss on either side, for a sufficient time had not
elapsed after such engagement to state it with
any degree of accuracy. The first reports give
eighteen to twenty thousand killed, wounded
and missing side, and the loss of the
enemy Is supposed to be nearly double, but
the numbers are doubtless exaggerated. The
heart sickens at the contemplation of such ter
ribIe human slaughter. The loss of Federal
officers was very great and this is the best evil
dence of the desperate energy with which the
battle was fought. The troops from Indiana and
Illinois must have suffered i'm mensely, and the
interest in those States to know who have fallen
will be intense. The battle was contested
bravcly, determinedly and desperately by the
rebels, but in vain. The defeat, if it is only n
repulse, will be terrible blow to the rebel army
IL was undoubtedly the intention of BEAUREeARD
to fall upon GRANTS division with superior force
and cut il TO pieces before reinforcements
could reach them. lie did all that skill
full generalship could accomplish. but
he failed in the anticipated victory. The result
must be disastrous to the rebel cause. II cannot
fail to dspirit and demoraze all their forces.
Ii the anticipated engagements at Yorktown and
Newtern should have a similar termination, the
hopelessness OF the rebel cause must become APP
parent to even the Confederates themselves
This week will probably be the most memorable
in our history. in fact in the worlds history.
Amid these tidngs Of carnage, which will cast
their shadows upon every household in the land
should not the nation pausey Has not the sacri-
fee been already enough? Is it not the duty of
the wise and the good men of all sections 10 ex
ert their influence to bring to a termination this
unnatural and suicidal strife betweea those who
should live together brothers with common
ancestry and common fimeg Or will madness
rule until only exhaustion brings peaeeg