Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-05-15
tered fugitive forces from capure or destruction On the

the discomfort and harrassed condition Of the men ~
enemy moreover, had broken their rest by DISCHARGE
measured intervals, OF heavy shells thrown from H.
gunboats therefore, on the following morning the rooe
under my ommand were-not in condition to cope with
an equal force OF fresh trooEs armed and equipped like
our adversary, in the immediate possession OF bis epotq
and sheltered by such an auxiliary as the enemys gun
boats.
About O'Clock on the morning of the 7th Of Anil
however, hot fire of musketry and artillery opened
from the enemys quarter advance line assured
of the junction of his forces, and soon the battle
ragged with fury which satisfied me attacked bv
largely superior force. But from the onset onr
troops notwithstanding their fatigue and losses from
the battle of the day before, exhibited the most cheer
ing veteranke steadness. On the right and centre
the enemy repused 10 every attempt he made with
his heavy columns in that quarter of the field on The
left, however and nearest to the point OF arrival of hg
reinorCenents he drove forward line after line of his
fresh troops, which were met with resolution and
courage OF which cur country may be proudly hopeful
Again and again our troops were brought to the charge
invariably to win the position at issue, invariably to
drive back their foe. But hour by hour thus opposed
enemy constantly reinforced ranks were per
ceptbly thnned under the unceasing whitening fire of the
enemy, and by y meridian, Is hours of hard fighting
had sensiby exhausted a large number; my last re.
serves bad necessarily been disposed Of and the enemy
was evidently receiving fresh reinorcemens after each
repulse accordingly, about l p. NJ, determined 10
withdraw from so unequal conflict securing such Of
the results of the victory of the day before as then
practicable.
Officers of my Staff were Immediately dispatched with
the necessary orders to make the best dispositions for
deliberate orderly withdrawal from the field and to COL
lect and pest to meet the enemy, SHOULD be a.
tempt to push after La this connection will men
ton particularly my Adiaant General, Col. Jordan
who OF much assistance to me this occasion, as
he had already been the field of battle that and
the preceding day.
! About two O'Clock, D. M, the lines in advance which
had repused the enemy in their last fierce assault
left and CENTRE received the orders to retire; this
done with uncommon seadiness, and the enemy made
no attempt to follow
The line OF troops established to cover this movement
had been disposed favorable ridge commanding the
ground OF Shiloh church from this position cur artle-
~ played upon the woods GeyOnd for WHILE but upon
visible enemy and without reply Soon satisfied that
no serious pursuit would be attempted, this last line
withdrawn, and did troops leave battle field
in better order the stTaggers fell into ranks and
marched of with those who had stood more steadily by
their colors second strong position was taken up
about mile in rear, where the approach OF the enemy
awaited for nearly hour, but effort TO follow
was made and only small detachment of horseinen
could be at distance rom this last position wear-
~ observing movements.
Arranging through my staff officers, for the cOmpl6-
ton of the movements thus begu1, Brigadier General
Breckenridge left with his command guard
to hold the ground we had occupied the night preceding
the first battle, just in front OF the intersection OF tie
Pittsburg ard Hamburg roads, about tou- mills from
the former place. while the rest Of the army passed
the ia excellent order.
Ga The following day. General Breckenridge fell back
about three miles to Mickcy's, which position con
nu1d to holi with cayaly thrown considerably for
ward in immediate proximity to the battlefield.
Unfortunately, towards night Of the 7th inst, it be-
gan to rain heavily this continued throughout the
night; the roads became almost impossible III many
places and much hardship and suffering ensued be-
fore all the regiments reached their encampments But
despite the heavy casualties OF the two eventul days Of
the 9th and It'll April, this army is more confident of
ultimate success than before its encounter with the
enemy.
To Major Generals Polk, Bragg and Hardee, commanl1
corps aud to Brigadr General Breckinridge commanding
the the country generally indebted III ZEAL
Intelligence and energy with which all orders
edtor the foresight and military ability they dspla ed
the absence of instructions in the many eXgencies the
battle, field densey wooded aud broken aud for
Eer fearless department they eddy led thei
mands personally the upon their powerful adverse
1t under these circumstances that Gen Bragg had
two horses shot under him. that Meor General Hardee
slightly wounded his by balls his dis
abed and that Major General Breckenridge struck
by spent balls
For services Of their gallant commanders
and of other officers well for the details OF the battle
field, must refer to the reports of Corps Division and
Brigade commanders WHICH shall be forwarded
received.
TO give more in detail the operations Of the two battles
resulting from the movement on Pittsburg than
tempted must have delayed this report for weeks
materially important duties of my posi-
ton; butI be permitted to say, that only did the
obstinate conflict for twelve hours sunday, leave the
Confederate Army of the battle Id and our adj
Versary beaten but left that field the day
after eight hours lncessant battle with superior army
fresh troops whom had repulsed every attack uu
nes-so repused and crippled indeed leave it
Bile to take the td for the campaign for which was col
ected and equipped at such expense, ard with
such prouson OF all the appliances of These
cessu results achieved however, before said
without severe iOss loss not to be measured by the
Der OF the slain wounded bu by the high social er
sonal worth of large number of those who killed
or disabled including the CONN ander of the forces whose
high qualities will be greatly missed in the momentous
pagn impending.
deeply regret to record also the death of the Hon. Geo
Nj johnson, Provisional Governor OF Kentucky who
into action with the Kentucky troops, and continually
spred them by his words ard example. Having bis
lucky regiment on Monday and fell MORALLY wounded
wards the close Of the day. Not his State alone but The
whole Confederacy has sustained great loss The
OF this brave. upright and able man.
Another gallant and able soldier and captain lost
the service OF the country when Brgader General Glad
den, commanding lst Brigade Withers Division I'd Army
Corps died from severe wound received the 9th nst
alter having been conspicuous to his whole corps the
army for courage and capacity.
Major General Cheatham, Commanding LIST Division Ist
Corps slightly wounded and had three horses shot
Brgadier General Clark commanding I'd Division Of the
ls Corps received wound also the first day.
which will deprive the army OF his valuable services for
some time.
Brig General Hindman engaged in the onset of The bat
te conspicuous for cool efficiently EMPLOYED
in leading his into the hicBest of the fray until
his horse was shot under him. and he unfortunately
severely injured by the fall that the army deprived
the following day of his chivalrous example.
Brig. Generals B. R. Johnston and Bowen most merto-
rious ocers also severely wounded in the first com
bat but it hoped will be able TO return duty with
their brigades
TO mention the many Geld officers who died or were
wounded while galantly leading their commands into
ton, and the many brilliant instances of individual courage
displayed by officers and men in the twenty hours 81 battle
impossible at this time but their names vii. 81 duly
made known to their countrymen.
The immediate Staff of the lamened Commander in Chief
who accompanied him to the field renderd efficient service
and either by his side in carrying his ORDERS shared
exposure to the casualties of wen contested battle fe1
beg to commend their to the notice Of the War De-
partment namely, of Captain H. P Brewster and n Wiz
NILE OF the Adjuant and Inspector Generals Department