Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-04-25
1)assine Gpents.
THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.
A STIRRING ACCOUNT.

A STIRRING ACCOUNT.
The special correspondent Of the New
York Tribune" furnishes very stir
ring account of the terrible battle of Shi-
loh-better known as Pittsburg Land
ing from which we subjoin several ex-
tracts, with two or three from other
Federal sources:
BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE.
Sunday morning, early, few strag-
glers in the woods away from our fore
most position, saw rebel providers suspi-
ciously thick among the trees, and closer
than they had ever before approached
General Prentiss, commanding division
on the left wing, Immediately sentout, to
reconnoiter, two companies Of the 25th
Missouri cavalry Hardly had these
gone three hundred yards when they met
body of the enemy; an exchange Of
shots took place, and Immediately, from
every quarter, swarmed forth dense col
umns Of men.
The woods we're thronged with them
one shout, caught up by thousands far
Their back, and they rushed toward our
camp. The cavalry fed quickly, but
the alarm had reached the troops. The
long roll beat to arms--every tent poured
forth its inmates, and while yet forming
in line, there came one solitary report of
a rife, then a storm Of musketry poured
upon the ranks, and the enemy-a wide,
dark mass of rifemen-pressed steadily
forward. With the river for base, our
camps formed half circle, and on the
left wing, General Prentiss' position, the
foe fell first. Scarcely formed in ranks,
attacked by overwhelming numbers, the
troops returned volley, that for mo-
nent, staggered the enemy's advance,
and sent hundreds to the ground. Re-
Inducements poured from the woods. A
solitary cannon in ambush sent a charge
of canister among the little struggling
body of Union troops, and with crash
like thunder, heavy guns and musketry
opened from every side.
OBSTINATE COURAGE.
During a period of four hours on the
first day, the deadly strife continued, the
enemy displaying a degree Of obstinate
courage they had never before shown,
and fighting with desperate determine
ton that compelled our forces to recede
gradually before them. The generalship
on the part of the Confederates was con-
summate--far exceeding ours, and de-
serving, from military point of view, Of
the highest admiration. The most I'M
expected movements we're made. When
we attacked certain point, we met with
resistance from new quarter; when we
went to the right, we we're attacked from
the left when we advanced to the center,
a deadly fire was opened on US from the
right; and so we were constantly deceiv-
ed by the skill and strategy of our foes.
Constant effort were made to flank our
regiments, and in many instances the
rebels narrowly escaped success; so much
so was this the case that we were again
and again put upon the defensive, when
the offensive was the need of the hour
BY this time the enemy had occupied q
large portion u the ground on which VIC
had been encamped when the action be-
gan, and We were still falling back be-
fore the Confederates, who seemed to BIZ
lighting with more and more determine.
ton, and who were doubtless cheered and
encouraged by their early success.
The Union centre gave unmistakablc
symptoms Of giving way, for it was sorely
pressed, and the fortunes of the day ap.
peared to be against us, when Genera
Hurlbut's division was ordered to it,
support, and well and bravely was il
supported.
A TERRIBLE gTRUGGLE.
Hotter and hotter grew the contest
fiercer and fercer the struggle. Each
man fought as if success or defeat de-
pended on his own right arm and charge
after charge was made upon the rebels to
regain the ground we had lost. They
stood firm as a rock, and though our ar
tillery often swept down their ranks, and
left fearful gaps in their columns, they
manifested no trepldatlon, nor ala they
waver for a moment The living sup
piled the place Of the dead. The mus
ket that fallen from lifoless had was
seized at once, and the horrid strife
swept on as before Tho force of the
enemy appeared increasing, and where
the greatest havoc was made, there the
strongest opposition was shown. Hand
to-hand contests we're innumerahle BY
cry struggle was for life. Quarter was
asked on neither side, and the ground
drank up the blood of hundreds Of brave
fellows every hour.
INTENSITY or THE EXCITEMENT.
The balance Of victory ever varied. II
now inclined to this side, and now to that.
Here the Unionists gained an advantage ;
there the Confederates. Advance was
followed 10y retreat; success by repulse
At this point we drove the enemy back,
but were driven back in return. Sue
cess was always shifting. but never set