The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-05-20

ards, over 5000 prisoners, including a division
commander (Gen. Prentiss) and several brigade
commanders, thousands Of small arms an immense
supply OF subsistence, forage and munitions of
war, ana large amount of means of transporta-
tlon-all the substantial fruits of complete
victory, such, indeed, as rarely have followed the
most successful battles, for never was ali army SO
well provided as that Of our enemy
The remnant of his army had been driven in
utter disorder to the immediate vicinity of Pitts
burg, under the shelter of the heavy guns of his
lronclad gunboats, and we remained undisputed
masters of his we'll selected, admirably provided
environments, after over twelve hnms of obstinate
conflict with his forces, who had been beaten from
them and the contiguous covert, but only by a
sustained onse: of all the men we could bring into
action.
Our loss was heavy. Our COMMANDMENTS
Chief, Gen. A. s. Johnston fell mortally wounded
and died on the field at 2:3O p NJ, after having
shown the highest qualities of the commander,
and personal intrepidity that inspired all around
him, and gave resistless impusion to his columns
at critical moments.
The chief command then devolvcd upon me,
though at the time l was greatly prostra-
ted and suffering from the prolonged sickness
with which [ had been afflicted since early in
February The responsibility was one, which, in
my physical condition. | would have gladly avoid
ed, though cast upon me when our forces were
successfully pushing the enemy back upon the
Tennessee River and though supported the
immediate field by such corps commanders as
MAJ Generals Polk, Bragg and 1ardee and
Brigadier General Breckenridge commanding the
reserve.
| 1t was after 6 o'clock p. NJ as before said,
when the enemys last position was carried, aud
his forces finally broke and sought refuge behind
4 commanding eminence, covering the Pittsburg
landing, not more than half mile distant, and
under the guns of the eunboats, which opened on
| our eager columns fierce and annoying fire with
shot and shell of the heaviest description. Dark
ness was close at hand. Officers and men were
ex Exhausted by combat Of over twelve hours with
out food, and jaded by the march of the preceding
day through mud and water, it therefore i'm
possible to collect the rich and opportune spols of
scattered broadcast on the field left in our
possession, and impracticblc to make any effective
dispositions for their removal to the rear.
| accordingly established my headquarters at
the Church of Shiloh, i'll the enemy's encanpment,
with Maj"r General Bragg, and directed
troops to sleep their arms, in such positions in
advance and rare corps commanders, should
determine, hoping from news received by Especial
dispatch that delays had been encountered by
General Buell. in his march from Columbia, and
that his main force, therefore, could not reach the
field of battle in time to save Gen Grants shat
tered fugitive forces from capture or destruction
on the following day.
During the night the rain fell in torrents,
adding to the discomfort and harrassed condition
of the men, The enemy moreover had broken III i"
rest by discharge, at measured intervals, Of
heavy shells thrown from the gunboats; therefore,
on the following morning the troops unIar my
command were not in condition to cope with
equal force Of fresh troops armed and equipped like
our adversary, in the immediate possession of his
depots and sheltered by such an auxiliary as the
enemy sunboats
About six o'clock the morning Of the 1th Of
April, however hot fire of musketry and artille-
ry, opened from the encmy's quarter on our ad-
vanced line, assured me OF the junction OF his
forces, and soon the Battle ragged with fury
which satisfied me | was attaked by largely
superior force. But from the onset, our troops,
notwithstanding their fatigue and losses from the
battle of the day BEFORE exhibited the most cheer
ing veteranike steadipess On the right and
centre the enemy repulsed In 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 his rentorcements he drove
forward line after line of his fresh troops, which
were met with resolution and courage of which
our country may be proudly hopeful. Again and
again our troops were brought to the charge, in
variably to win the position at issue, invariably to
drive back their foe. But hour by hour thus OPP
posed to enemy constantly reinforced, our ranks
were perceptibly thinned under the unceasing,
witherng fire of the enemy, and BY II meridian,
Is hours of hard fighting, had sensibly exhausted
a large number my last reserves had necessarily
been disposed of, and the enemy evidently
receiving fresh reinforcements after each repulse
accordingly, about p NJ | determined to with
draw from so unequal a conflict, securing such Of
the results of the victory of the day before as was
then practicable.
Officers of my Staff were Immediately dispatched
with the necessary orders to make the best dis
positions for deliberate orderly Withdrawal from
the field and to collect and post reserve to meet
the enemy, should he attempt to push after
In this connection | will mention particularly my
Adjutant General, Col Jordan, who of m1ch
assistance TO me on this OCCASION he had already
been on the fed Of battle on that aud the pre ed
ing day
About two O'Clock, p. m, the lines in advance,
which had repulscd the enemy their last fierce
assault On left and centre, received the orders
to retire this was done with uncommon steadiness,
and the enemy made attempt to follow.
j The line of troops established to cover this
movement, had been disposed on favorable
ridge commanding the ground of Shiloh church
from this position our artillery played upon the
woods beyond for a while, but upon no vis'oie
enemy and without reply. Soon satisfied that no
serious pursuit would be attempted, this last line
was Withdrawn. and never did troops leave bat
tie field in better order; the stragglers fell
into ranks aud marched off with those who had
stood more steadily by their colors. A second