New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-17
Official Report Of General Grant
THE FIRST DAYS FIGHT A DRAWN BATTLE.
The Rebels Thoroughly Beaten on
the Second Day.
ByApouaHrERs DISTRICT oF WESTERN TsNvHssEH,

CAPrAIN: III becomes my duty again 10 report
another battle fought between two great armies one
contendiog for the maintenance Of the best Govern
mcnt ever devised ard the other for lis destruction
1t il peassl, to record the Of the army con-
tending for the former principle.
On Sunday morning our Iickets were attacked
and driven in by the enemy. Immedi ,tely tie five
divisions stationed at this place were drawn up III
lire Of battle TO meet them.
The battle soon waXed warm on thel left and center,
varying at times TO all parts of the lne There was
the most continuous firing Of muskery and artillery
ever heard ON this Continent kept up until night
fall.
The enemy baving forced the entire line TO fall
back, nearly half way from their camps to the land
INK at IA late hour III the afternoon, despara'e
effort was made by the enemy 10 turn our left and
get possession Of the landing, transports, etc.
This point was guarded by the gunboals Tyler and
/ Lexington Captains Gwynne and Shirk, command
lug, with four 2i-pounder Parrott guns and bat
terry OF rliied guns.
Ks there is deep and impossible raviue for artil-
lery cavalry, and very difficult for infantry al this
point no troops were stationed here except the
necessary artlleriss and smnll infantry force for
their support. Ju-t at this moment the advance OF
Maior-Gen. Buells column and part of the division
/ OF Gen. Nelson arrived, the two Generals named
both being present. An advance was immediately
made upon the point Of attack and the enemy WAS
room driven back.
In this repuse much is due to the presence Of the
gunboats Tyler and Lexington and their able COM
manders Capts. Gwynne and Sbirk.
During the night the divisions under Gems. Crit
tenden AID McCook arrived.
Gen. Lew. Wallace at Camp Landing, sy miles
below was ordered, at early hour IN the morn-
ing TO hold his division in readiness TO move in any
direction il might be ordered. At III o'clock the or
der was delivered TO move up to Pittsburg but ow-
ing to its being led by circuous route, it did not
arrive in time 10 take Part III Sundays action.
During the night all WAS quiet. and, feeling that
great moral advantage would be gained by becoming
the attacking party an advance was ordered As foon
as day dswued lhe result ~as the gradual repulse
OF the enemy at oil points of the line, from until
probably O'Clock in the afternoon, when it became
evident the enemy WAS retreatng.
Before the close of the action, the advance Of Gen.
r j. Wood division arrived in time to take pagt III
the action.
My force was too much fatigued from two days
hard sighting, and exposure in tie open air 10
drenchng rain during Jbo intervening night, 10 pur-
rue immediately.
Night closed in cloudy with heavy rain, making
the roads imlracticable for artillery by the next
morning.
Gen. Sherman, however, followed the enemy,
finding that the main part Of their army had retreaed
in good order.
Hospitals with the enemy's wounded were found
all along the road US far pursuit made. Dead
bodies OF the enemy and many graves were also
found. / uclose herewith a report Of Gen. Sher-
man. which will explain fully the resulr of the
pursa and Of the part taken by each separate con-
mand.
cannot take special notice in this report but will
do 70 more fully when the reports Of tic division
commanders are handed IN.
| Gen. Buell., commanding in the field, with q die.
| tinct army long under his onmand, and which did
such efficient service, commanded by himself In per-
son Oh the fed will be much better able TO notice
those Of bis command who particularly dsiing gushed
the mselyes than posslbly can.
! feel it my duty however, 10 gallant and able
officer, Brighten w. 4. Sherman, 10 make special
mention OF him. lie not only wss with his command
during the entire two days OF the action but DIS
played great judgment and skiil in the management
Of his mer. Although severely wounded IN the hand
on the fin; day, his place was never vacant. lie
was again wounded, and had three hortes killed nn
der hun. In making this mention of gallant OH
GER 10 disparagrment ia intended to other Division
Commanders, or Maj. John A. McClernand
and Lew. Wallace, and Brig..Gens. :. a. liurlbui,
i. ~ Preniss, and W. II. l.. Wallace, all Of whom
maintained their places with credit TO themselves and
| the cause.
Gen. Prentiss was taken prisoner the firt days
action and w. II. l.. Wallace was severely, and
probably morially wounded. lis Assistant Adu
/ tan,.G eneral, Capt. McMichae is missing and was
probably taken prisoner. My personal stan are oil
deserving Of particular mention, they having been
engaged during the entire two dsysin carrying orders
TO every part OF the field.
II consists of Col j. ID. Webster, Chief Of staff;
Lieui.-Col. j. B. McPhereon, Chief Of Engineers.
assised by J. euts. W. l.. B. Jenny and VIM. kossac,
Capt. j. 4. Rawlings, A. a. General; w. 5. kl.er,
W. r. Rawley, and &. Il. Lagoon, Aids-de- Camp;
u IL
kius, Chief C0mmissary, who accompanied mo upon
tie field Tie Medical Department. under direction
OF Surgeon Hewitt Medical Director, showed grea!
energy Ia providing for the wounded and in getting
them from the iie d. regardless Of danger.
Col. Webster was placed in special charge OF oil
the artillery and was constantly upon the field.
He displayed, as always heretofore, both skill and
bravery. AT least, in one instance. he was the
means Of placing an entire regiment IN position Of
doing most valuable service, aud where II would not
L., I,, 10 .arfio -('o g
Phefeon attached 10 my stan chef OF engineers,
deserves more than passing notice for bis activity
and courage.
All the grounds beyond our camps for miles have
been Teconnoi'ered by hin, and the plans carefully
prepared under his supervision give the most acc,i-
ra q information OF the nature OF the approaches 10
our liner During the two days battle he was con-
stanly IN tie saddle leading the troops IA they ar
rived TO points where their services were required.
Dining the engagement he had one horse sho. under
him.
The country will have TO mourn the loss Of many
brave men who fell ~ tle Daltio VI lhtrourb, vi
Shiloah more properly.
The exact loss in killed and wounded will be
known In day or two.
AZ present can only give it approximately at
/ 500 killed and 3, 500 wounded
The loss Of artillery was great, many pieces being
disabled by the eneuy's shots, and some losing all
their horses and mnny men. There were probably
not less than 200 horses killed.
Tie loss of the enemy in killed and left upon the
field. was greater than ours. In the wounded an
esinate cannot be made, many OF them must have
been sent TO Corinth and other pOu,s.
The enemy suffered terribly from decentralization
and desertoD.
flag of truce was cent on to-day from Gen. Beau.
regard. incose herewith copy Of the correspond
ence. am respectfully your obi seiyt,
u. 3 GRANT Major General Commanding
RFRFI, ACCOUNTS OF THE BATTLES OF