The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1862-04-19

to drive US into the river, and at the same
time bravely engaged our right. Up to
this time we had received no reinforcementss
Gen. Lew. Wallace failing to come 10 our
support until the day was OVER having Ia
ken the wrong road from Crump's Landing.
and being without other transports than
those used for Quartermaster and cominissa-
ty stores which were 100 heavily laden to fer
~ any considerable number of Gen. Buell's
forces across the river. those that were there
having been sent to bring the troops from
Savannah. We were contesting against fear
full oddss our force not exceeding 81, 600.
while that of the enemy was upwards of
go. 900.
Our condition at this moment was ex-
tremely critical. Large numbers of our
men were panic struck, others were worn
on: by hard fighting, with the average per-
centage of skulkers who had struggled to-
ward the river, could not be rallied. Gen.
Grant and staff, who had been recklessly
riding along the lines during the day amid
the unceasing storm of bullets, grape and
shell, rode from right to left, melting the
men to stand firm until our reinforce ments
could cross the river. Col. Webster, chief
of staff, Immediately got into position the
heaviest pieces of artillery pointing on the
enemey's right. while large number of
batteries were planted along the entire line
from the river bank to cur extreme right,
two miles and q half distant.
About an hour before dark general can
nonade was opened upon the enemy from
along our whole line with perpetual crack
of musketry. Such roar was never heard on
this continent. For short time the rebels
replied with vigor and effect, but their return
shots grew less frequent and destructive,
while ours grew more rapid and terrible.
The gunboats, Lexington and Tyler, which
lay short distance off, kept raining shell on
the rebel hordes. This last effort was too
much for the enemy, and ere dusk the firing
had nearly ceased-when night coming on,
all the combatants rested from their awful
work of blood and carnage. Our men rest
ed on their arms in the position they had
occupied at the close of the fight until the
forces under Major Gen. Wallace came up
and took position on the right, and met Gen.
Buell's forces from the opposite side, and
Savannah being now convenient to the bat
tie ground, the entire right of Gen. Nell
sons division was ordered to form on the
right, and the forces under Gen. Critten-
den were ordered to his support early in the
morning.
SECOND DAYS BATTLE.
Buell. having arrived on the previous eve
ming the ball was opened at daylight sim
ultaneously by Gen. Nelson's division on
the left and Gen. Wallace's division on the
right. Gen. Nelson's force opened most
CALLING fire aud advanced rapidly as the reb-
els fell back. The fire soon became general
along the whole line and began to tell with
terrible effect upon the enemy. Gen. Nc
Clernand's, Shelman's and Hurlburt's men,
though terribly jaded from the previous
days fight, still maintained their honors
won at Donelson, hut the resistance of the
rebels at all points was terrible and worthy
better cause.
But they were not enough for our un-
daunted bravery, and the dreadful destruc-
ton produced by our artillery. which was
sweeping them away like chaf before the
wind. Knowing that defeat would be a
death-blow to their hopes. and that their all
depended upon this great struggle, their
Generals still urged them on in the face OF
destruction, hoping by fanking us on the
right to turn the tide of battle. Their sue
cess was again for time cheering as they
began to gain ground on our appearing to
have been reinforced, but our left under
Gen. Nelson was driving them forward with
wonderful rapidity, and by II O'Clock Gen.
Buell's force had succeeded in thanking
them and capturing their batteries of artil-
tery. They, however, again rallied on the
left and recrossed to the right, and forced
themselves forward in another desperate eff
fort, but reinforcements from Gen. Wool
and Gen. Thomas were coming in, regiment
after regiment, which were sent to Gen
Buell., who had again commenced to drive
the enemy. els -
About P. NJ, Gen. Grant rode to the left,
where the fresh regiments had been order
ed, and finding the rebels wavering sent q
portion of his body guard to the head Of
each of FIVE regiments, and then ordered a
charge across the field, himself leading, as
he brandished his sword and waved them
on to the browning victory, while cannon
balls we're falling like hail around him. The
men followed with shout that sounded
above the roar and din of artillery, and the
rebels fled in .disnay as from destroying
avalanche, and never made another stand
Gen. Buell. followed the retreating rebels,
driving them in splendid style, and by hal
past five o'clock the whole rebel army was
III lUH ECtLCAt CO fSOlutuS WIZ Jul Cav GA J
in hot pursuit. but with what success is moi
known, they not having returned up to this
hour.
We have taken large amount of their
artillery, also number of prisoners. W.
lost number of our forces prisoners yes
terday, among whom is Gen. Prentiss. The
number of troops taken is not ascertained
but is reported at several hundred. Gen
Prentiss is also reported wounded. Among
the killed on the rebel side was their Gener
| Il = 80 LII h.