Nebraska advertiser., 1862-05-08
army correspondence Of the Nebraska Advertiser
From the Nebraska First.

Battle F1ELD OF PITTsBURs. TKNN5
April 18th, 1852.
The most terrible battle Of ahe war,
and the hardest fought eontss, thai ever
rsged upon Our continent, has been
fought here, and The Iitsl9 town and vi
cinity are become historical for all time
to come. The marks of the srrife will
last for years; and this may become the
Mecca of the Republic, where many a
pilgrim may be seen treading among the
graves of the brave departed, and drop a
silent tear, perchance. upon the little
mound hat covers the remains of some
promising youth who fell 10 fame M
known" Then will be the time for
memory and for tears for The lights
which burned up in a brilliant fame
awhile have forever become dark, and
many a sorrowfuI heart will throb, and
many an eye be filed with tears. lis a
sad picture to look upon; bat Glory glows
in the background, and Fame now fingers
near.
General Lew. Wallace's Division 10
which the Nebraska Regiment belongs,
was encamped five miles below this, be-
tween Cramp's landing and Adamsville.
We had expected to get into battle in a
few days, but did moi expect ii here. On
Saturday, April 9th, we were marshalled
in battle array, and marched to Adams
vile to repel the rebels who, as supposed,
would attack our third Brigade stationed
near that village. Their appearance vas
only a feint, perhaps, TO keep US there.
while the storm was brewing and gath
ering strength to overwhelm our soldiers
here, They disappeared, and we returned
to camp bat early Sabbath morning we
were Weakened by the sound of cannon up
the river, and ere long the rattle of mus
kerry filed our ears. Although we did
not expect the enemy would attack our
troops, yet we were then convinced that a
hot battle was il progress, and the rebels
the attacking party. The cannOnading
grew heavier, the firing of musketry more
incessant, and we became anxious to take
part in the fray. mex
General Wallace did not get orders to
advance with his Division until late IN the
morning, and then having to march
twelve or fifteen miles to go Eve, we did
not reach the scene of conflict until night
had ended the strife.
We found the enemy had driven in cur
troops who had been camped far out and
expected on Monday morning TO drive
them into The river. Our Division was
placed on the extreme right in advance,
and some Of General BnelPs forces, who
had crossed and were crossing the river,
on the left. We slept on our arms
Sabbath night, and were aroused many
times by the loud roar Of cannon which
were fired to keep US on the alert. When
the dawn broke we were marshelled to
arms, and advanced two hundred yards
and took position to the immediate right
an Indiana battery belonging to Col.
Thayer's Brigade. This time we COM
menced the attack. Our artillery COM
menced playing on a rebel battery a half
mile in advance in the timber. The
rebels de6antly returned shot for shot, but
a half hours firing their battery
siienced, and they retreated.
We followed this success by adding
desperate, and brilliant ones to it,
until their retreating changed TO a panic
fight. If the battle on Sunday was hot,
and fiercely waged the Mondays
was still more terrible. Flushed
BY his triumphs on yesterday so dearly
bought, yet was The enemy 10th TO let bis
former success slip through bis fingers
and seize reyerses by the bristling
locks
The fancied vision of a kingdom reared
over the ruins of half a Republic was Ail-
ting away aid the mighty sorrow for lost
began to crowd upon the mind of
the rebel General. Then he resolved to
wipe out the present, recall the cleaning
past, and conjure up a golden future by a
bold stroke of theory put in practice.-
The flower Of the rebel army, the picked
and bravest men, the favorites Of the
Sunny South were ordered to oppose
our right and drive Us back. Their best
General, Beauregard, planted the colors
himself, and ekhorted, ~entreated, and
commanded bis men to stand by them
until the last IA Of them died HIS
.entreanes were vain, and his prayers un-
availing Steady aid resistles as the
onward march Of a lava stream our right
pressed bravely on, and as fall the leaves
Of summer before the rude. chilling
breath Of Boreas. so fell the flowers of