The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-04-25
BATTLE OF PITTSBURG.
Gen. Grants Official Report.
HEADQUARTERS DIST. OF WEST TENN.,)
PITTSBURG, April 8. 1862

HEADQUARTERS DIST. OF WEST TENN.,)
PITTsBURG, April 9, 1862
Capt. N. II. Mclean, 4. 4. Gen. Dept. OF the
Mississippi. St. Louis, Mo.
CAPTAIN 1t becomes my duty again to
report another battle, fought between two
great armies, one contending for the MAIN
tenance of the best Government ever de-
vised, the other for its destruction. 1t is
pleasant to record the success of the armv
contendipg for the former principle.
On Sunday morning our pickets were at
tackled and driven in by the enemy. Imme.
diately the five divisions stationed at this
place were drawn up in line OF battle ready
to meet them. The battle soon waxed
warm on the left and centre, varying at
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 desperate
effort was made by the enemy to turn our
left and get possession of the landing trans
ports, &c. This point was guarded by the
gunboats Tyler and Lexington, Captains
Gwynn and Shirk, U. S. N, commanding,
with 20-pcunder Parrot guns. As there is
deep and impossible ravine for artillery
or cavalry, and very difficult for infantry at
this point, no troops were stationed here ex-
cept the necessary artilerists and a small
Infantry force for their support. Just at
this moment an advance of Major General
| Buell's column, IA part of the division of
General Nelson) arrived, the two Generals
named both being present. An advance
was Immediately made upon the point of
attack, and the enemy soon driven back.
In this repulse much is due to the presence
of the gunboats Tyler and Lexington and
their able commanders, Gwynn and Shrk
During the night the divisions under Gene
rails McCOok and Crittenden arrived.
General Lew Wallace. at Crump's Land
ing, six miles below, was ordered at an
early. hour in the morning to hold his divs
ion in readiness to be moved in any direc.
tion to which it might be ordered. At
about IL o'clock the order was delivered to
move it up to Pittsburg, but owing to its
being led by circuitous route, did not ar
rive in time to take part in Sundays &C.
ton.
Before the close of the action the advance
of General Woods division arrived in time
to take part in the action. My force was
too much fatigued from two days hard
fighting, and exposure in the open air to
drenching rain during the intervening night,
to pursue Immediately. Night closed in
quietly and with heavy rain, making the
roads impracticable for artillery the next
morning. General Sherman, however, fol.
lowed the enemy, fading that the main part
of the army had retreated in good order.
Hospitals of the enemy's wounded were
found all along the road as far as pursuit
was made. Dead bodies of the enemy and
many graves were also found. l enclose
herewith the report of General Sherman,
which will explain more fully the result of
the pursuit OF the part taken by each
separate command, l cannot take special
notice in this report, but will do so more
fully when reports of division commanders
are handed in.
During the night all was quiet, and feel.
ing that great moral advantage would be
gained by becoming the attacking party,
an advance was ordered as soon as the day
dawned. The result was gradual repuse
of the enemy at all points of the line, from
morning until probably FIVE O'Clock in the
afternoon, when it became evident that the
enemy was retreating.
General Buell., coming on the field with
distinct army under bis 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 than possibly can.
feel it duty, however, to gallant and
able officer, Brigadier Gen. W. Il. Sherman,
to make special mention. He not only
was with his command during the entire of
the two days action, but displayed great
judgment and skill in the management of his
men. Although severely wounded in the
hand the first day, his place was never va
cant. He was again wounded and had three
horses killed under him.
Ia making this mention of gallant Of.
6cer, no disparagement is intended to the
other division ommanders-Maj Gems. j.
A. McClerland and Lew. Wallace, and
Brigadier Generals S. A. Hurlbut, B. M.
Prentiss and W. FL. L. Wallace, all of
whom maintained their places with credit
to themselves and the cause.
Gen. Prentiss was taken prisoner in the
first days action, and Gen. w. H. Wallace
severely, probably MORALLY, wounded. His
Assistant Adjutant General, Capt. William
McMichael is missing, probably taken pris~
Oner.
My personal staff are all deserving of
particular mention, they having been en-
gagged during the entire two days in carry
ing orders to every part of the field. 1t
consists of Col. j. D. Webster, Chief of the
Staff; Lieut.. Col. j. B. Mcpherson, Chief
Engineer; assisted by Lieuts. w. L. B.
Jenny and William Kossac, Capt. j. A.
Rawlings, A. A. General w. S. Hiyer,
W. R. Rawley and @. B. Lagow, Aides de.
Camp, Col. ii. G.. Pride, Volunteer Aid,
and Capt. J. P. Hawkins, Chief Commits
sioner, who accompanied me upon the field.
The Medical Department, under direc.
ton of Surgeon Hewitt, Medical Director,
showed great energy in providing for the
wounded, and in getting them from the field
regardless of danger.