The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-04-12
THE GREAT BATTLE IN
TENNESSEE!
A Two Days Engagement at
Pittsburg.
FEDERAL Loss 5000 KILLED
AND WOUNDED.
Rebel Gen. A. Sidney johnson Killed..
Bcauregard wounded,
&C.. Gc.< &C.

+ Rebel Gen. A. Sidney johnson Killed.
-, Bcauregard wounded,
t &C., &c.s &c.
Wo have an immense mass of jumble
telegraph dispatches in reference to tn
great battle on Sunday and Monday a
Pittsburg on the Tennessee river, bnt tn
following account, which we find in al
the Chicago papers of Wednesday, is tn
; only connected narrative We have ye
seen of the great battle:
PITTsBURG, Tenn, ria FIT HENRY,
April 9-320 A. NJ
One of the greatest and bloodiest battle
of modern days has just closed here, re
sulting in the complete rout of the enemy
who attacked US at day break on Sunday
The battle lasted without inte-mIssio,
during the entir day, and was again resum
ed on Monday morning, and continued
until o'clock in the afternood, when the
enemy commenced tbir retreat and are
still f1ving towards Corinth, pursued by 6
large force of our cavalry. The slaughte,
on both sides is immenes. We have lost
in killed, wounded and missing form $1,000
to 10000 That Of the enemy is estima
|
1t is impossible in the present confused
state of affairs to ascertain any details
l therefore give you the dest account posi-
BILE from observation, having passed
through the storm of action during the
two days that it ragged.
| FIRST DAYS BATTLE
The fight was brought on by body OF
300 of the Twenty-fifth Missouri (Union)
Regiment, of General Prentiss' division,
attacking the advance guard of the rebels,
which were supposed to be the pickets of
the enemy, in front of our camp The
| rebels Immediately advanced on General
Prentiss' division on the left wing pouring
volley after volley of musk try, and rid
ding our camps with grape, canister and
she'll Our forces soon formed into line and
returned their fire vigorously, but by the
time we were prepared to receive them they
had turned their heaviest fire on the left
and centre of Sbermans division, and
drove our men back from their camps,
and, bringing up fresh force opened fire
on our left wing under General McClern-
and
This fire was returned with terrible ef-
feet and Determined spirit by both infan-
try and artillery along the whole line,
for distance of over four miles.
Ueneral uuIlDut ulblSIc1 Was tUTOWE
forward to support the centre, when a
desperate conflict ensued The rebels
were driven back with terrible slaughter,
in turn. From about nine o'clock, the
time your correspondent arrived on the
field, until night closed on the bloody
scene, there was no determination of the
result of the struggle
The rebels exhibited remarkable good
generalship. At times engaging the left
with apparently their whole strength,
they would suddenly open a terrible and
destructive fire upon the right or centre.
Even our heaviest and most destructive
fire on the enemy did not appear to dis
courage their solid columns The fire of
Major Taylors Chicago Battery raked
them down in scores; but the smoke
would no sooner be dispersed than the
breach would again be filled.
The most desperate fighting took place
late in the afternoon. The rebels knew
that, if they iii not succeed in whipping
then, their chances for success would be
exceedingly doubtful.
As portion of Gen. BueIl's forces had
by this time arrived on the opposite side
of the river, and the portion was coming
up the river from Savannah, the enemy
ced, as they could see Gen. BULLS troops
from the river bank short distance
above US, on the left, to which point they
had forced their way.
At fi~o cioci< tho rahals had forced
left wing back so as TO occupy fully two
thirds Of our camp, and were fighting
their way forward with a despafe degree
of confidence in their efforts to drive US
into the river, at the same time, heavily
engaged our right.
Up to this time we han received no re-
Inducements. General Lew. Wallae failing
to come to our support until the day was
over having taker. the wrong road from
Crump's Landing, and being without other
transports than those used for Quartermas-
tiers and Commissaries stores, which were
too heavily laden to Ferry any cansidera-
BILE number OF Gen. Buell's forces across
the river, those that were here having been
sent to bring the troops from Savannah.
We were therefore eontesting against fear
full odds, our force not exceeding 80 QUO
men. That of the enemy upward OF co.
600 Our condition at this moment was
extremely critical. Large numbers of
men, panic-struck, others won out by
hard fighting, with an average per sent
of skulkers. had struggled towards the
river, and could not be rallied. Gen. Grant
and staff, who had been reckiessly riding
along the lines during the entire day,
amid the unceasing storm Of bullets, grape
and shell, now rode from right to left,
melting the men to stand firm until our
reinforcements colud cross the river. Col
Webster, Chief of Staff, Immediately got
into position the heaviest pieces Of artill
cry, pointing on the enemys right, while
a large number of the batteries were plant
ed along the entire line from the river
bank northwest to the extreme right,
some two and half miles distant
About ar hour before dark general
cannonade was opened upon the enemy
from along our whole line, with perpetu-
al crack oe musketry. Such a roar was
never heard on this continent. For short
time the rebels replied with vigor and ef-
feet, but their return shots grew less fire.
quent ard destructive, while ours grew
more rapid and more terrible
The gunboats Lexington and Tyler.
which lay short distance off, kept rain.
ing shell on the rebel hOrdes. This last
effort was too much for the enemy; and
ere dusk the firing had nearly ceased
Night coming on, all the combatants rest
ed from their awful work of blood and
carnage.
Our men rested ON their arms in the
position they held at the close of the
fight, until the forces under Gen. Wallace
arrived and took position on the right,
and met Gen. Buelrs forces from the OPP
posite side and, Savannah being now
converted into the battle-ground, the en-.
tire right of Gen. Nelson's division was
ordered to form on the right. and the
forces under Gen. Crittenden were ordered
to his support early in the morning.
sECAND DAYS BATTLE.
Gen. Buell. having arrived on Sunday
evening, in the morning the ball was
opened at daylight, simultaneously with
Gen. Nelson's division on the left and
Gen. Wallace's division Oh the right. Gen