Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-04-12

ties OF modern days hos Just closed, resulting
10 lhe complete rout ofthe enemy, who attack
cd as at daybreak on Sunday. The battle last
cd without iBtermission during the entire day,
aud was again renewed on Monday morning
md continued until o'clock, p. M, when the
cucmy commenced their retreat and are still
flying towards Coriath pursued BY large force
Of our cavalry.
The slaughter on both sides is immense.
We have lost in killed wounded and missing
from eighteen TO twenty thousand
That of the enemy is estimated at from
Thirty to Forty Thousand.
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 the storm of action during the two
days that it ragged!
The fgbt was brought on by body Of
800 Of the 35th Missouri Regiment, OF Gen
PrentiSs' division attacking the advance
guard of the rebels, which were supposed to
be the picket of the enemy in front of our
camp. The rebels Immediately advanced
on Gen. Preutss' command on the left wing
pouring volley after vOley Of musketry, and
Tidding our camps with grape, canister and
shells Our forces soon formed into line
and returned thlir FIRE vigorously and by
the time we were prepared TO receive them
they had turned their heaviest fire on the
left and center of Sherman's division, and
drove our men back from their camps, and
bringing up fresh force, opening FIRE on
our left wing, under Gen. McClernand.-
This fire was returned with terrible effect
aud determined spirit, by both infantry aud
artillery, along the whole hRe for distance
of over mile.
Gen. Hnrlpert's division was thrown for.
ward to support the center, when desper.
aie conflict ensued. The rebels were driven
back with terrible slaughter, but soon ral-
lied anG drove back our men in turn
From about 9o'clock. the time your CORES
pondent arrived on the field, until night clos
ed on the bloody scene, there was no deter
minatiop of the result of the struggle. The
rebels exhibited remarkably good general
ship, at times engaging the left with aP
pareHtly their whole strength, they would
suddeny open o terrible aud destructive
FIRE oa the right or center.
Even our heaviest and most Obstructive
Ere on the enemy did not appear to dlscour-
are their solid columns The fire OF Major
Tyalor's ChicagoArtiery raked them down
in scores, but the smoke wonld no sooner
disappear than the breech would again be
filed.
The most desperate fighting took place
10 the afternoon. The rebels knew that II
they did not succeed in whipping then. that
their chances for success would he eXtrem
ely doubtful, as portion Of Gen. BueTs
forces had by this time arrived on the op'
posile side Of the river, and the other por.
lion was coming up the river from SaVan.
nah. They became aware that we were
being reinforced, as they could plainly see
General Bners troops from the river bank,
q short distance above Us on the left o
which point they had forced their way. At
5 o'clock the rebels had forced our left
wing back so as 10 occupy fall two thirds
of our camp, and were fighting their way
forward with desperate degree Of conf
dence in their efforts 10 drive US into the
River, and at the same lime heartily engaged
0ur right.
Up to this time we had received no rein
foreements, Gen. Lew. Wallace failing to
come to our support until the day was over
having taken the wrong road from Crumy
Landing, and being without other trans
ports than those used for quartmasters AM
commissary stores, which were too heavii.
laden TO ferry any considerable nnmber
Gen. Buefs forces across the river, an
those that we're here having been sent t
bring the troops from Savannah. w
were therefore contending against fearf'
odds our force not exceeding $4,000 mel
while tha, Of the tnemy was upwards
$4,000
Our condition at this moment was extr
mely critical Large numbers OF our me
manic stricken, and others wern. out by hal
lighting. with the average per eentage
skulkers, had atrsggled towards the rive
and could not be rallied.
Gen Grant and staff who had been rec
lessIy riding aIoUg the lines during the c
tire dny amid the unceasing storm OF bnlle
Crane. and shell, now rode from night
Isft. melting the men to stand hrm un
our reinforce ments could cross the river
Col. Webster, Chief Of StuG, immediai
rot into position the heaviest pieces OF 9
tillery, pointing on the enemYs right Whl
a large number Of Tie batteries were plan
ed along the entire line OF the river, seH
Two and half miles distant. About /
honr before dark general eannonading WI
opened upon the enemy from along Of
whole line, with perpetual crack OF mu
kerry.
Such roar was never heard on this co
tincnt for o short time. Tue rebels repl
with vigor and effect, but their return sho
grew less ffeqnent and destructive whl
ours grew more rapid aud terrible. y
eunboals Lexington and Tyler, which 10y
abort distance "a, kept raining shell on q
rebel hordes. This last effort was too mu'
Tor lie enemy, and ere dnsk the firing bl
nearly ceased lw heD ,night oomiag 90 all q
cnmbatsnts resie8 fomtheir s"fui VOL
Of blood and essnsBe.