The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-04-11

fought on this Continent" The dispatch
was dated Pittsburg Landing, 9th.
PITTSBURGH, OLD FoRT TlIGHLAND, !
April 8, 800 A. M.
Special TO Herald:
One Of the greatest and bloodiest bat
ties of. modern days has just closed, re-
sultiug in the complete rout Of the enemy,
who attacked us at day ybreak Sunday.
The battle lasted without intermssion
during the entire day, and was again re-
newed on Monday morning, and continued
until o'clock p. NJ, when the enemy
commenced their retreat and are still
flying towards Corinth, pursued by a
large force of our cavalry.
The slaughter on both sides is immense.
We have lost in killed and wounded aud
missing, from $4,000 to 10000. That Of
the enemy is estimated at from 80, 600 to
10000.
1t is impossible in the present confused
state of affairs to ascertain any details
/ therefore give you the best account pos
sible from observation, having passed
through tho storm of action during the
two days il ragged.
The 6ght was brought on by body OF
800 OF the 25!h Missouri, Of Gen. Prem
tiss' division attacking the advance guard
OF the rebels, which were supposed 20 be
the pickets Of the enemy in front of our
camp.
The rebel army advanced on General
Prentiss' command, on the left wing,
pouring volley after volley Of musketry,
and riddling our camps with grape, can
lister and she'll
Our forces soon formed into line and re-
turned their FIRE vigorously, and by the
time we were prepared to receive them,
had turned their heaviest fire on the left
and centre of Sherman's division, and
drove our men back from their camps,
and bringing up fresh force opened a
fire on our left wing under Gen. Me cCIcr-
nand. The fire was returned with terri
Die effect anG determined spirit by both
infantry and artillery along ,he whole line
for the distance of over mile.
Gen. Hurlburts' division was thrown
forward to support tue centre, when a
desperate conflict ensued The rebels
were driven back with terrible slaughter,
but they soon rallied and advanced, driv.
ing back our men in turn. From about
Q o'clock, the time your correspondent ar
rived, until night closed on the bloody
scene, there was no termination or result
of the struggle.
The rebels exhibited remarkably good
generalship, at times engaging the left
with apparently their whole strength
they would suddenly open n terrible and
destructive fire on the righ: 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 Taylor's Chicago mr.
tillery raked them down in scores, but
the smoke would no sooner disappear
than the breach would again be filed.
The most desperate firing took place
late in the afternoon. Tie rebels knew
that il they did not succeed in whipping
then, ihat their chances for success woulC
be extremely doubtful. as a portion o
Gen. Buelrs torce had by this time ar
rived on the opposite side of the river
and the other portion was coming up th
river from Savannah.
They became aware that we were bein!
reinforced, as they could see Gen. Buell.
troops from the river bank a short dis
tance above us on the left, TO which poin
they had forced their way al o'clock
The rebels had forced our left wing bacl
So as to occupy fully twothirds OF ou
camp, and were fighting Their way for
ward with desperate degree of conf
dence 10 their efforts TO drive us into III
river, and at the same time heavily en-
gagged our right. Up to this time we ha
received no reiniorcements, Gen. Lew
Wallace falling to come to our suppol
until the day was over, having taken III
wrong road from Crumps landing, an
being without other transports than lhos
used for Quartermasters' and commissar
stores, which were too heavily laden
ferry any considerable number of Gel
Buells forces across the river, those thi
were here having been sent TO bring th
troops from Savannah. We were there
fore contesling against fearful odds, ou
forces not exceeding $4,000 men, wh
that OF the enemy was upwards of 60,OOt
Our condition at this moment was "a
tremely critical. A large mass of GU
men were panic struck, others worn OF
by hard fighting, with the usual pc
centage Of skulkers, had struggled toward
the river. and could not be rallie!, Ger
Grant and Staff, who had been reckessl
riding along the lines during the eGtir
day, amid the unceasing storm of bullei
grape and shell, now rode from right
left, melting the men TO stand firm uni
our reinforcemens could cross the rive
Col. Webster, Chief of Staff, got into p'
sition the heaviest pieces of artiIler.
pointing on the enemy's right, while
large number OF The batteries were plantc
along the entire line from the river BAN
northwest to our extreme right, some
miles distant.
About 40 hour before dusk general cal
uonade was opened upon tho enemy fro
along our whole line, with perpetu
crack OF musketry. Such roar was nev,
heard on this continent
For q short timo the rebels replied wit
viaor aud effect. but their return sho
grew less frequent aud destructive, viii
ours grow more rapid and moro terrible.
The gdnboats Lexington and Tyler, whit
lay short distance oil, kept raining sh'