The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-05-21
ersl .Breckinridge commanding tho re-.

said. when the enemy's last pusi,ion was
carried, and his forces finally broke and
sought refuge behind commanding EN-
ineuce, covering the Pittsburg landing,
not more than half mile distant, and
under the guns OF the guhboats, which
opened on our eager columns fierce and
annoying fire with shot and shell Of the
heaviest description. Darkness was close
at hand. Oliicers and men were exhaus
ted by a combat Of over twelve hour
without food. and jaded by the march u
the preceding day through mud and va
ter, it was therefore impossible to collect
the rich and opporlune spoils Of WAR scat
| tered broadcast on rbe field left ia our
| Possession, and irrpraclicsbIe to make
any effective dispositions for their remov.
al to the rea-.
accordingly established nv head
quarters at the Church OF Shiloh. in the
enemys encsmpment, with Major Gener-
al Bragg, and directed our troops to sleep
on their arms, in such positions in advance
and rear as corps commanders should de
,ermine, hoping from news received Lr a
special dispatch tina, delays had bsen en-.
counlered BY General Buell. in hi. march
from Columbia, and that his main force
therefore, could not resch the field Of bat.
tie in time to save Gen. Grants shattered
fugitive forces from capture or destruction
on the following day.
During the night the rain fell in tor
rents. adding to the discomfort and har.
raised condition OF the men; the enemy,
moreover, had broken their res, 10y Gs
charge, vt measured intervals, of heavy
shells thrown from The gunboats, there
fore, on the following morning the troops
under my command were not in coudi.
ton to cope with an equal force OF fresh
troops, armed and equipped like our sd
versary, in the immediate possession o
his depo,s. and sheltered by such All aux.
Hilary RS the enemy's yunbcals.
About six o'clock on the morning Of the
7th Of April, however, not FIRE Of mus.
kerry ana artillery, opened from the enc
mys quarter on our advanced lire, rs
sured me Of the junction Of his forces, aud
soon tue battle ragged with fury which
satisfied me l was attacked 10y a largely
superior force. But from the onset our
troops, notwithstanding their fatigue md
losses from the battle Of the day before
exhibited the most cheering, veteran like
stead'neos. On the right and centre the
enemy was repuled in every attempt lac
made with his heavy column 10 that
quarter CT the field on the lent, however
and nearest to the point Of arrival of his
reinforcements, he drove forward line af
ter line Of his fresh troops. which were
met with resolution and courage o
which our country may lie proudly hope,
ful. Again and again our troops were
brought TO the charge, invariably to win
the position at issue, invariably to drive
back their foe. But hour hy hour thu.
opposed 10 an emmy constantly reinforced
our ranks were perc-P,sbly tlinned unde,
the unceasing. withering fire Of the enc
my, and by l2 meridian eighteen hour'
Of bard fighting had sensjbly exhsus,e,
a large number, my last reserves had ne
cessarily been disposed OF, and tue enemy
WAS evidently receiving fresh reinforce
nen,s after each repulse; ACCORDINGLY
about one p. NJ, | deter,nin ed to with
draw from so unq,nl conflict, secuTin.
such OF The results Of the victory Of ib
day before rs was then practicable.
Officers Of MY staff were immediatel
dispatched with the necessary orders Il
make the hest dispositions for delher
ate, orderly withdrawal from the field
and TO collect and post reserve to NEE
the enemy. should be attempt TO pusl
after US. In this connection I will men
ton particularly my Adju,ant general
Col jordan, who " as Of much assistanc
10 me on this occasion, ss be had alresd,
been on the field Of battle on that an,
the preceding day.
About TWO o'clock Z. NJ, the lines il
advance, which had repulsed the enem,
10 their last fierce assault on our left Nh.
centre, received the orders 10 retire; tbi
was done with uncommon stesdiness, an,
the enemy made no attemp; to follow.
The line Of troops established to cove
this movement bad been disposed on
favorable "dge commanding the grour,
Of Shiloh Church from this position ou
artillery played upon the woods beyon,
for while, but upon no visible eDem.
and without reply. Soon satisfied tba