Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-04-17
THE BATTLE OF PITSBURG |
Gen. arant's oaaolaI RepOEt.
HEADoUkRTERs DIs'T. OF WEST TEEH.,
PIrrsBuRa, April Q, 1862.
Cspt N. H. BeLsan, a. 4. Gsa Dsp't o
The MisSiSaPPi, So lOuiI, No;

tftu a4tl1aeesFftg 40 a.N-sei A-b
OAPTLlE;-It becomes my duty again to
report another battle, fought between two
great armies, one contending for the mainte-
nance Of the best Government ever devised,
the other for its destruction. It is pleasant
10 record the success of the army contending
for the former principle.
On Sunday morning our pickets we're at
tackled and driven In BY the enemy. Imms-
diateIy the Eve divisions stationed at this
place were drawn up In line Of battle 10 meet
them. The battle soon WaXed warm on the
left and center, varying az times to all parts
of the line.
The most continuous firing Of musketry
and artillery ever heard on this continent
was kept up until nightfall, the enemy hav-
ing forced the entire line to fall back nearly
half way from their camps to the landing.
At late hour in the afternoon a desperate
effort was made by the enemy to turn our
left and get possession Of the landing, trans
ports, Sc. This point was guarded by the
gunboats Tyler and Lexington, Captains
Gwynn and ShiFk, U. s. n, commanding,
four 90 .pouuder Parrot guns, and q battery
of riHed guns. As there is deep and i'm
passable ravine for artillery or cavalry, and
very difficult for infantry at this point, no
troops were stationed here except the neees-
SarV artillerists, and a small infantry force
for their support. Just at this moment the
advance of Major General BuelPs column
a part Of the division of Gen. Nelson Ar
rived, and the two Generals named both be-
ing present. An advance was Immediately
made upon the point Of attack, and the enc
nv were soon driven back. In this repulse
much is due to the presence of the gunboats
TYLER and Lexington, and their able, COM
manders, Captains Gwynn and Shirk. Dur
inc the night the divisions under Gems. Crit
ts1dea and McCosk arrived.
Gen. Lew. Wallace, at Orump's Landing,
ak miles below, was ordered at an early
hour in the morning to hold his division in
readiness to be moved in any direction TO
which It might be ordered. At about IL
o'clock the order was delivered to move il
up to Pitlsburg, but owing to its being led
b7 a circuitous route, did not arrive in time
TO take a part in Sundays action. During
the night all was quiet snd feeling that a
great moral advantage would be gained by
becoming the attacking party, an advance
was ordered as soon as the day dawned. The
result was a gradual repulse of the enemy at
ali points of the line from morning until
probably o'clock in the afternoon, when it
became evident that the enemy vas retreat
ing.
Before the close Of the action, the advance
of Gen. 7. ]. Woods Division arrived in
time to take part in the action. Ny force
was too much fatigued from two days hard
fighting, and exposed in the open air to
drenching rain during the intervening night,
to pursue Immediately. Night closed in
clou ~ and with heavy rain, making the
roads impracticable for artillery by the next
morning. Gen. Sherman, however, follow
ed the enemy, finding that the main part Of
the army had retrested in good order. Hos
pitfalls of the enemy's wounded were fond all
along the road as far 81 pursuit was made.
Dead bodies of the enemy and many graves
were also found. l enclose herewith a re-
port of Gen. Sherman, which will explain
more fully the result Of the pursuit Ofthe
part taken by each separate command | can
not take special notice in this report, but
will do so more fully when reports of diVis-
ion commanders are handed in.
General Buell, coming on the field with q
distinct army, long under his command, and
which did such efficient service, commanded
by himself in person on the field, will be
much better able to notice those of his COM
mand who particularly distinguished them
selves, that possibly can.
1 feel it a duty, however, TO 8 gallant and
able officer, Brigadier General W. T. sher-
man, to make a special mention. he not
only was with his command da5inE A. an
tire nf the two days' action, but displayed
great Judgment and skill in the management
Of bis men. Although severely wounded in
the hand the first day. his place was never
vacant. He was again wounded and had
three horses killed under him.
In making this mention of a gallant off,
Ger, no disparsgement is intended to the
other division commanders, Major Generals
John A. MeOlernand and Lew Wallace, and
Brigadier Generals s. A. Hurlbut, B. n. Prem
tiss and W. b. L. Wallace, all Of whom
maintained their places with credit to them
selves and the causs.
Gen. Prentiss was taken prisoner In the
first days action, and Gen. W. q. L. Wallace
severely, probably mortslly wounded. His
Assistant Adjutsnt General, Captain Will
liam McYiChael, is missing, probably taken
prisoner.
NV personal staff are all deserving Of par
ticular mention, they having been engaged
during the entire two days in carrying or
ders 70 every part Of the field. It tcOnsists Of
Col. ]. D. Webster, Chief of Staff; Lieut..
Col. J. B. Mcpherson, Chief of Engineers; F;
insisted by Lieuts. W. L. B. Jenny and VIM
Kossac, Capt J. A. Rawlings, A. A. General
W. S. Hilyer, W. R. RsWley and G. B La
gov, Aids-de- Camp, Col g. Pride, Volunteer
Aid, and Captain J. P. Hawkins, Chief Com
missary, who accompanied me upon the
field.
The Medical Department, under direction
of Surgeon Hewitt, Medical Director, shoS-
ed great energy in providing for the wound
ed, and in getting them from the 6.ld, re-
gardless of danger.
Col. Webster was placed in special charge
of all the artillery, and was constantly upon
the field. He displayed, as slwsys heretofore,
both skill and bravery. At least in one iE-
stance, he was the means OF placing an entire
regiment in position Of doing most valua-
BILE service, and where it would not have
been but for his eIertiOns.
Lieut.. Col. AcPherson, attached to my
staff as Chief Of Engineers, deserves more
than passing notice for his activity aud
courage. All the grounds beyond our camps
for miles have been reconnoiteted by him,
and plsts carefully prepared under bis su-
pervision, giving accurate information of the
nature of approaches to cur lines.
During the two days battle he was con-
stantly in the saddle, leading troops as they
arrived to points where their Eervices were
required. During the engagement be had
one horse shot under him.
The country will have to mourn the loss
of many brave men who fell at the battle of
Pittsburgh, or Shiloh, more properly. The
exact loss in killed and wounded will be
known in day or two. At present, can
only give it approximately, at l,5OO killed