The New York herald., 1862-04-26
THE BATTLE AT PtTTSBuRe.
General McClernand's Complimentary
General Order.
GENERAL FIELD ORDER-N0. $40.
HEApQUARrE FInsT DIvIsiON.
CAMP NEAR Plrrssugc. Tenn. April II 1s6.

HEtDQCART FIRST DIVi~OS,
CAxP NEAR PuTsBURC, Tenn. April II 1862
But recently The officers aud soldiers OF the First d.
vision received the grateful thanks OF their commanding
General and the blessings OF their counrymen for the
chief part borne by them in achieving one Of the most
glorious and substantial trumphs that have crowned the
alor Of armies. Before the bonGrcs that had been
lighted in honor Of that event had yet become dim be.
fore the notes Of nations thanksgiving had died upon
he ear before the thanks Of preserved country had
found expression that event ecpsed in spendor by
new achievements While the ever memorable word
"Donslson" was beng inscribed upon your banners,
another equally memorable flashed upon the canvass
and claimed homo among the chosen smblsms Of your
vaior aud patriotism. Doneson and Pitsburg brought
so near together by the rapid progress of your arms
will together stand to your honor upon the page of his
tory
With numbers reduced BY the former conflict, with
The disadvantages Of recent change in organization The
forces composing the Fs, division found themselves on
Sunday morning last, almest without warning IN the
face the enemy That enemy had arrayet against you
his brsvest and best disciplined troops, drawn from Ma
nassas Columbus and Pensacola, in apparently
whslnng numb bcrs, well armed, and commanded by
their sbest generals 20 be led by whom they had bsen
taught, made them invincble
Ihus amply prepared and confident OF vistory, they
che time and place Of attack and fell furi
ously upon you Circumstances beyond the control cf
your commanding general brought them TO your lines
hut you ready, and under the guidance Of gallant
officers instantly at the point Of assault and on
gagged in the Gsspsrate encounter.
The First division was ovtrmat.hed IN mum
b.!s, but not IN determination and valof.
fought. When. during the brat day, you were com
PEELED 10 give way 1t was only to choose new line OF
battle and fight again. The changing foTnues Of the
day did dseoncert you, the temporary loss Of your
camp did not discourage You, your fatigues and
losses break your rosolution. Tie advance Of Tho
my from dGerent points met by your skilful
lufCua and steady You felt that vastly
peror force upon you yet you held his advance IN
constant check, and wore away the day, until sstsr
twelve hours Of almost ncesssnt firing, paused for
the night IN line of'batts and facing the enemy and
| resting upon your arms, kept him at bay.
on the next morning reinforced by gallant troops who
arrived during the night, and without awaiting at
tack, you advanced upon the enemy, and drove him
,,r1 ens ryn Here az on tSs prsyos day the
most desperate and determined fighting took place.
With the varying fortunes Of the neld the ground was
fought over many times, until you remained in tho
msstsry-the terrible array of the wounded and slain
bearing eloquent testimony TO the ferceness and obst
| The enemy was driven beyond your sncsmpmeni and
pressed by our gallant divisions, fighting in generous
emulation OF each other, until he absndoncdhe contest
| and fsd from the nsld.
Thus closed another memorable CHAPTER II the history
of this unhappy and dsplorablc contest Thus perish
the hopes Of the bad and ambitious men who have drawn
so many thousands OF their deluded followers into
holy rebellion and treason, only 10 be overwhelmed in
ruin Thus fell 70 the earth and turned 70 das. and
the boast that here and upcp you TIE disasters Of
Bull were be senacted and the records Of Henry
| and Donslson botted out
II is due 10 your valor and consistency snd OF the gal
snt divisions who fought by your side this boast
wss disappointed, and another crushing blow given to
this rebellion, another stately step taken toward the
yndicaton of your insuted flag, the security or the
naeiona unity, and tho enbroning of the lon
and laws Ia they sncieD, supremacy throughout the
| land
While rejoicing with you in this triumph which your
valor has achieved, aud invoking in your behalf the
appauses Of your grateful country, Jour commanding
General refrain from recognizing with profound
sorrow the sacrifices has demanded The gallant and
| honored dead, the brave sufferers who survive eo.
quently remind VIZ az what sore cost the blessings Of
civil and the sacrednsss OF the Uuon must
be maintained The OF history will record IT, aud
future generations will keep solemn day 70 their honor
The GVaNs eSmpandins would rsptad you tba