Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-04-22
BATTLE OF PiTTSBURG LANDING
PLAN OF THE SURPRISE
THE REBELS DISGUISED IN FEDERAL UNIFORMS.
A COMPLETE SKETCH OF THE BATTLE.
UlNespondenee OF the FhiIidsIpbla FfesF' -,
pITrsBuRG LARpIN0, April II, lSb2.

You have been apprised of the great bat
tie at this point. There is one single hab-
taton at this place of celebrity, and no more.
Why the spot should be entitled to IL name
! cannot conjecture.
PittSburg Landing is situated upon the
west bank of the Tennessee river, between
eight and nine miles from Savannah, which
is a small town upon the eastern shore, aud
better known to your readers than Pittsburg
Landing. The latter place is some twenty
two miles northeast from Uorinth, Missl+-
sippi.
For several weeks past General Grant has
been concentrating an immense army here,
and had the rebels postponed their attack
two weeks General Buelrs entire force would
have arrived, the Two armies would have
united, and one Of the most splendid bodies
of soldiers Of modern times would have been
ready for work OF the most formidable char
aeter.
This battle was, unquestonahly, the most
sanguinary Of the war. and was, likewise one
one of the most singular and critical on re-
cord. The commencement was most slngu-
lar, indeed. Every moment of the two days
struggle was critical one. and its bloody
termination was of thrilling interest. In the
first place, the dexterity and skill employed
by the rebels was characteristic of the conf
mauder-in-chief Of the Confederate army.
The great body oil our men were located
three miles from the river, and their sitna-
ton described semi-circle, in fair readiness
for "a bold resistance, had no covert measures
been resorted to by the enemy. The latter,
| ! understand, contrived To learn the couli-
tersign of the night. and used il to their
great advantage.
They butchered some Of our pickets with
tt isa lsai2
gagged some dozen of others. nnd hurried
them within their lines
They exchanged uniforms with iho-,
whom they killed, performed mimic rHani
and silently the whole force oi Beanrerarl,
consisting Of one hundred thousand men
under A Sidney johnson, Cheaiham, Polk
Bragg, and other celebrated soldiers, crrpl
almost into our camp, and immediate lS
opened Il terrific lire upon ahnnt l"tty five
thousand men decidedly unprepared TIN
occurred Just at daylight. on Sunda, mora
,nG.
Immediately line of battle Nl iotmrd
with Cen Premise Wpou The lett AMI All
vance gan extraordinary occurrencrJ t4en
Grant was, al lln time belUM IA Savannah
hut soon arrived after the eAhnnnniine com
menced, aud commanded upon the ueht
while Sherman. lurlhut ahd McClttnahd
conducted operations Ia the centre
The Eighteenth Wisconsin Regiment oC-
cupied the extreme left and close Ia il wa.
the Fifteenth Michigan, without CARTRIDGES
# is estimated that nearly twenty thou
sand rebel infantry poured forth showers o
bullets into these Two regiments. placing
three hundred of their men h0rS de cOmba
al tile first fire. Volleys Of every conceiva.
Bile missile Of destruction were poured into
the whole of our line, thinning our ranks in
the most distressing manner and spreading
the utmost confusion throughout the whole
army.
AT this juncture the Seventy-frst and
Forty-sixth Ohio Regiments broke ranks
and fed in great disorder.
several new regiments in the immediate
vicinity We're seized with CONSERVATION, and
followed the terrified 0hioans.
The disorder and confusion increased as
did the desperation and energy Of the rebels
and in less than two hours the whole Fede.
raj army had fallen back distance of two
niles the canister, grape, and shell o
the enemy committing sad havoc in theii
midst.
The Generals all exhibited the most
praisworthy courage and skill, and succeed.
ed in rallying again the men who had con
tributed So much toward the creation of .
panic.
Notwithstanding the temporary defeat
the whole force formed in line, and braved
the hot work earnestly; for a while it was
give and take, and no .linching upon either
side. But portion Of our artillery nov
participated, under Major Taylor, every shor
OF which caused reduction in the number,
OF the enemy, hut apparently no confusion
Webster's artillery now got into workinl
/ L.. Il. Al.
batteries, beched forth u most destruetiy,
shower Of Shot and She'll. The inlantr,
covered, and displayed both hope and zeal
shouting yociterously as they discharge,
their pieces.
Presently All exhibition, suggestive O
confusion became noticeable in the ranks @
the enemy, accompanied by u slight retro
grade movement, and few minutes after
wards they retreated III the direction a
, their camps, without breaking their lines
however.
Subsequently, the haefest cessation lima
f. ginabe TRANSFERRED and, after hurangue b
their Generals, the rebels again attacbe
our force, who, in the meantime, had bee
j strengthened by heavy artillery and u reg
| ment Of cavalry, John &. Breckiuridg
. commanded their right and Bragg operate
with the centre, while Beauregara conducte
4 tae left wing in person This may seem
curious disposition Of the rebel Generals, bl
this position is not coniradicted,
When within Il respectable distance the
1t opened a distinctive fire the whole Of whic
A was directed to our centre, and which pro,
:. ed very effective This caused no wincin,
+ however, and Immediately the division {
IS ticn. llurlbul co-operated with that Of Ge
McClernand tile whole centre moved ia
ward several yards aud smuliancs suiy the .
% lillery aud infantry. the line OF battle extc
4. ding nearly four miles, poured into the reb
, ranks y dense shower Of she'll canister. al
+" bullets, which was speedily answered in
N like manner, and followed up by the rebe
~, 50 vigorously thai our men again reircate
and continued IN retreat for over a mile. II
- enemy all the while taking advantage If a
nj confusion.
The gnnboats Lexington and Tyler teal
" ed up the river, aud occasionally threw
., shell into the midst of the Conlederates.
M This occurred about two o'clock. q
army was again in confusion, bnt the reb,
II were too intent upon booty To prolong
n; pursuit.
Gen. Prentss and ubout three tlousal
) men were at the time taken prisoners, tOg
er ther with six pieces Of cannon.
nm About three o'clock our Generals succep
~ ed in again rallying the distracted and st
hE fering army.
ut In the meantime the rebels had stripp
a, our dead and wounded officers of III,
va clothes, leaving many of them almost max,
. These were substituted for their own, al
at in conjunction with the use of some Anne
= can flags, deceived our soldiers to such
h' extent that the officers ordered them not
er fire.
os Soon the ball opened again, and the
ception was at once discovered. This en-