The Shasta courier., 1862-04-19
ping by fianking our right to turn the tide Of

ping by fanklng our rlgnt 10 turn tne Tue VI
battle.
Their prospects became more cheering as
they gained ground, but our left under Nell
son, was drifiG them, and by ii O'Clock had
succeeded in fanking them, and capturing
their batteries.
They rallied on the left and right, and
forced themselves forward in another desper
ate effort. Reinforcements from Generals
Wood and Thomas coming in, regiment by
regiment, were sent Immediately to General
Buell., who had also commenced to drive the
enemy in turn.
About O'Clock in the afternoon, General
Grant rode to the left, and finding the rebels
still wavering, sent portion Of his body
guard to the head of each FIVE regiments
they then were ordered to charge across the
field, Gen. Grant brandishing his sword and
waving them on, while cannon balls were
falling around him like hail.
The men followed with a shout which was
heard above the roar of battle, and the reb
els fed in dismay, as from destroying az
aanche, and never made another stand
They were followed at half past five O'Clock
by the whole rebel army in full retreat to
Corinth, with our cavalry in hot pursuit, but
with what result is not yet known. 1t is i'm
possible to estimate what material has been
captured 1t is known to be a large amount.
Their whole artillery, with number of pris
oners, were taken. The rebels took some
prisoners during the engagement. 1t is
estimated at several hundred, among whom
is General Prenties, who is also reported
wounded,
The killed on the rebel side includes Com
mander- in Chief A. S. johnson, who was
struck by cannon ball on Sunday afternoon.
There is no doubt of the truth of this, the
fact is corroboratod by several rebel officers
taken prisoners. 1t is also reported that
Beauregard had an arm shot off.
Our loss in officers is very heavy. 1t is
impossible at present to state the number
Among them are Gen. w. L. Wallace. Col.
Pegram, Col. Ellis, acting Brigadiers, killed;
Major Gadsvick, of the 18th Illinois, Lieut..
Col. Conrad, 72d Ohio, Lieut.. Kyle, 5lst In
diana, Col. Davis, 46th Illinois, mortally
wounded
Our loss is variously estimated, in killed,
wounded and missing, at from 10000 to
10000, whilst that of the rebels is twice that
number. This, however, may be greatly
exaggerated.
Our forces in the field were about $4,000
men.
Washington, Ayril 7th.-Dispatches an
nounce that Gen. Mitchell, with the forces
under his command, reached Shelbyville,
| Tennessee, and were received with great en-
thusiasm by the Inhabitants.
Chicago, April 7th.-No informrtion in
regard to the movement of our army from
FORTRESS Monroe is allowed to be published,
except that obtained through rebel sources.
1t appears that the rebel authorities at Rich
mond accept the following as facts: That o
large Union army has been concentrated on
York peninsula; that this army is under the
immediate command Of General Mcclellan,
who intends to march on the rebel capital
via York river. Informatian was conveyed
| to the rebels, it seems, by tho appearance off
Fortress Monroe of over hundred transports
filled with troops. Big Bethel, Shipping
Point and other intermediate points have bsan
taken, and demonstrations made against
Yorktown. When this place is taken Rich
mond will be within three days. march,
The Washington correspondent of the Bal
timore Sun says that movements are going
on there in favor of manning the Southern
forts with black soldiers, in order to save
white soldiers from the Southern climate
There is some foundation for the statement.
The policy will be urged in the Senate next
week
Washington. April Sth-At Yorktown,
Yesterday, the enemy's works were carefully
examined by Gen. Mcclellan, and found to
| be Very strong and the approaches difficult.
The enemy was in force, and the batteries
at Yorktown and Gloucester were much in
creased in number and force. There was
sharp firing on the right. but no damage
done. 1t seemed plain that mortar and siege
guns must be used for the attack.
Another dispatch, received at 1890 this
morning, states that Yorktown must fall
without siege, within two or three days.
|
Wool telegraphs that Magruder had 10000
day, Ship Point had been taken, the gun
boats sheslling out the batteries. All fortified
places of Importance below Yorktown had
been taken
The following account is from the official
dispatch to the Secretary of War:
That portion of the army of the Potomac
recently concentrated at Old Point, advanced
| on Friday morning in the direction of York
town. The right was assigned to Morrill's
brigade, of Porter's division with two COM
panies of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry.
acting as skirmishers. Nothing of interest
occurred until the arrival at Big Bethel,
where the outer rebel pickets were me-. The
troops delayed here for two 'hohrs, recon
structing brfdgs gse which had been destroyed.
The rebels retreated before our skirmishers
to Howard Greek, where they had some
earthworks. Shots were here fred by the
rebels from two field pieces, which were soon
silenced by the Fourth Rhode Island Battery.
Then the rebels retreated, taking the artille-
ry with them. The main body of the army
rested here for the night, while Morrill's
brigade advanced to Cuckolsville, six miles
| from Yorktown. By seven O'clock Saturday
morning, the column was again in motion.
At ten O'clock they were in front of the enc
my's works at Yorktown. The first shot
fred was by the rebels. Grifhn's, and the
Third and Fourth Rhode Island, and the
Fifth Massachusetts Batteries, were placed
in position, replying to the saIre point from
which the shots were fred ~ 'th5 rebels
The cannonading continhsd with but slight
intermissions until dark. About four hum
dred shots we're fired by both parties during
the day. Abe less on our side was three
killed and five wounded. The position of
the rebels is strong one from present ap-
pearances Their Notifications extend two
miles in length, and mount heavy guns. The
ground in front Of their works is low and
marshy.