Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-04-17
IBy Telegraph. Yesterday.l
ZEN. GRANTS OFFICIAL REPORT
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WESTERN
TENNESSEE, FIrTsBURG, April 8. !

report another battle fought between two great
armies, one contending tor the maintenance of
the best government ever devised, and the
other for its destruction, 1t is pleasant 10 re-
cord the successes of the army coulending tor
the former principles.
On Sunday morning our pickets were at
tackled and driven in by the enemy. Imme-
datey the five divisions stationed at this
place were drawn up in inc OF battle TO meet
them. The battle soon waxed warm on the
lett aud center varying at times TO all parts of
the line. There was the most continuous fir
ing OF muSkctry and artillery ever heard on
this continent, kept up until nighta 1.-THE ell
envy having forced the entire line to TALL back
nearly halt way from their camps to the Land
ing.
at late hour in the afternoon desperate
effort was made by the enemy to turn our left
aud get possession Of the Landing, transports,
etc. This point was guarded by the guuboatS
Tyler and Lexington, Captains Geoynne and
ShirK commanding with tour "A FOUNDER Par
rot guns and battery Of rit1ed guns. AS
there is deep and impossible ravine for ar.
tillery or eavalry, and very difficult for infan.
try, at this point, no troops were stationed
here except the necessary artillerists, and
small infantry force for their support just
at this moment the advance of Major General
Buelfs column and part of the division of
Gen. Nelson arrived, the two generals named
both being present. An advance was imme-
diately made upon the point OF attack, and the
enemy was soon driven back. In this repuse
much is due to the gunboats Tyler and Lex
ington, and their able commanders Captains
Geoynne aud Shirg.
During the night the divisions under Gems.
Crittenden and McCook arrived. Gen. Lew
Wallace, at Camp Landing, six miles below,
was ordered at an ear hour in the morning,
to hold his division in readiness TO move in
any direction it might be ordered, At IL
O'Clock the order was delivered to move it up
TO PItsburg, but owing to its being led by Il
Circutous route, ii did not arrive Ill time TO take
part in 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
soon as day dawned. The result was the
gradual repulse OF the enemy at all points OF
the lines, from nine O'Clock A. M, until prob
ably five p. NJ, when it became evident that
the enemy was retreating.
Before the close OF the action, the advance
OF Gen. Woods division arrived in time to
take part in the fight, My force was too
much tatigued from two days hard fighting
and exposure in the open air TO drenching
rain during the intervening night to pursue
Immediately. Night closed in cloudy, aud
with heavy rain, making the roads impracti-
cable for the artillery, by the next morning.
Gen Sherman, however, followed the enemy,
finding that the main part of their army had
relreaed in good order. Hospitals with the
enemy's wounded were found all along the
road, as tar as pursuit was made Dead
bodies OF the enemy, and many graves, were
also found.
enclose herewith report of Gen. Sher-
man, which will explain more fully the result
OF the pursuit, and Of the part taken by each
separate command. | cannot take special no.
tice in this report, but will do SO more fully
when the reports OF the division commanders
are handed in. Gen. Buell., commanding in
the field with distinct army, long under his
command, and which did such efficient ser
vice, commanded By himself in person OH the
field, will be much better able TO notice those
of his command, who particularly distinguish
ed themselves than possibly can.
feel i; a daty, however, to gallant and
able officer, Brig. Gen. w. r. Sherman, TO
make special mention. He not only was with
his command during the entire two days of
the action, but displayed great judgment and
skill i'll the management OF his men, although
severely wounded in the hand on the fist day.
His place was never vacant. He was again
wounded, and had three horses killed under
him. In making this mention of gallant
officer, no disparagement is intended to other
division commanders, or Major Generals John
a. McCeruand and Lew Wallace, and Brig.
Generals S. A. Hurbut, Z. Nj. Prentiss, and
w. IL. l.. Wallace, all OF whom maintained
their places to the credit of themselves and
the cause. Gen. Prenliss was taken prisoner
on the first days action, and Gen. W. ii. L.
Wallace was severely and probably MORALLY
wounded. His assistant adj utant general,
Capt. VIM. McAlchael, is missing, and was
probably taken prisoner,
My personal staff are all deserving of par
ticuIar mention, they having been engaged
during the entire two days in carrying orders
to different parts OF the field. 1t consists of
Col. j. ID. Webster, chief staff; Lieut. Col. j.
Mcpherson, chief Of engineers, assisted by
Lieuts. w. L. B. Jenny and WIN. Kossas;
Capt. j. A, Rawlings, Acting Adjutant Gen.
w. S. Hilger, w. r. Rawley, and c. B. La
gon, aids de camp; Col. G. Pride, volunteer
aid, and Capt. j. z. Hawkins, chief commits
sary, who accompanied me 10 the field. The
medical department, under direction of sur.
geon Hewitt, medical director, showed great
en,rgy in providing Tor the wounded and in
getting them oil the field, regardless OF
danger
Col Webster was placed in special charge
of all the artillery, and was constantly upon
the field. He displayed, as always hereto
fore, both skill and bravery. AT least in one
instance he was the means of placing an en-
tire regiment in position OF doing most valua-
BILE service, and where it would not have been
but for his exertions Lieut.. Col. Mcpherson,
attached to my staff as chief OF engineers, de-
serves more than a passing notice for his ac-
tlvity and courage. Ali the grounds ley ond
our camps for miles have been reconnoIered
By HIM, and the plans carefully prepared un'
der his supervision give The most accurate in
formation OF the nature of the approaches to
our lines. During the two days battle lie
was constantly in the saddle, leading the
troops as they arrived to points where their
services were required. During the engage
ment he had one horse shot under him.
The country will have to NOUN the loss of
many brave men, who fell at the battle of
Pittsburg, or Shiloah, more properly. The
exact loss in killed and wounded will be known
III day or two AT present can only give
it approximately at 1900 killed and $500
wounded. The loss OF artillery was great;
many pieces being disabled by the enemy's
shots, and some losing all their horses and
many men. There were probably not less
than 200 horses killed. The loss OF the enc.
my in killed and left upon the field, was great.
er than ours. In the wounded, an estimate
cannot be made, as many Of them must have
been sent to Cornth and other points. The
enemy suffered terribly from decentralization
and deserlion. A flag OF truce was sent in to.
day, from Gen. Bepur5gard. | enclose here.
with copy OF tue correspondence.
am respectfully your ob't servant,
U. S. GRANT.
Major General Commanding.
BEAUREGARD TO GEN. GRANT.
HEADouARTERs DEpA RTNtrNT or Mtasra