The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-04-18
The Great Battle at Pittsburg,
The Union Forces Surprised-Terrible
Fighting for Two Days-Immensc Loss.
eS-The Rebels Finally Beaten.

es-The Rebels Finally Beaten.
Gen Grants army at Pittsburg Landing,
on the Tennessee river, was Unexpectedly at
tackled by Beauregards whole force, early on
Sunday morning. The enemy gained great
advantages in the first sudden onset. but our
forces rallied, and the fight ragged hotly dur
ing the day, with great losses on both sides.
At night the result was doubtful, and both
armies slept on the bloody field. Reinforce
ments were received from Gen Buell's army,
and the next day the fight was renewed with
energy, and the rebels were finally routed,
driven from the field in confusion, and pur-
sued by our victorious troops. So affairs
stood tuesday night. The special CORES
pondence Of the y. y. Herald, dated at Pitts
burg. Wednesday morning, gives an account
of the two days fighting:
One of the greatest and bloodiest battles
of modern days has Just closed, resulting in
the complete rout of the enemy, who attack
ed US at daybreak Sunday morning. The
battle lasted without intermission during the
entire day and was again renewed on Mon
day morning, and continued undecided until
four O'Clock in the afternoon, when the enc
my commenced their retreat, and are still fiy-
ing towards Corinth, pursued by large force
of our cavalry. The slaughter on both sides
is immense.
. The fight was brought on by body of
three hundred of the 25th Missouri regiment.
Gen Prentiss' division, attacking the advance
guard OF the rebels, which was supposed 10
be the pickets of the enemy in front Of our
camps. The rebels Immediately advanced
on Gen Prentiss' division on the left wing.
pouring in volley after volley of musketry.
and riddling our camps with grape, canister
and shell. Our forces soon formed into line
and returned their fire vigorously, and by the
time We were prepared to receive them had
turned their heaviest fire on the left center,
Sherman's division, and drove our men back
from their camps, and bringing up a fresh
force opened fire on our left wing, under Gen
McClernand. This fire was returned with
terrible effect and determined spirit bv both
infantry and artillery along the whole line
for distance of over four miles.
8 Gen HuIiDurts division was thrown for
ward 10 support the center, when desperate
conflict ensued. The rebels were driven back
with terrible slaughter, but soon rallied and
drove back our men IN turn From about
nine o'clock, the time Your correspondent ar
rived on the field, until night closed on the
bloody scene. there was no determination of
I the result Of the struggle The rebels exhib-
lied remarkably good seneralship. At times
engaging the left with apparently their whole
strength, they would suddenly open a terri
bic and destructive fire on The right or CEN
ter. Even our heaviest and most destructivr
lire upon the enemy did not appear TO dis
courage their solid columns. The fire of Ma
jor Taylor's Chicago artillery rahed them
down in scores, but the smoke would no soor-
er be dispersed than the breach would again
be filed.
q, The most desperate fighting took place
late IN The afternoon. The rebels knew that
It they did not succeed in whipping US then.
their chances for success would be exrremalv
doubtful, as portion of Gen Buell's forces
had by this time arrived on the opposite side
OF The rlver. and another portion was coming
up the river from Savannah They became
aware that We We're being reinforced. as they
could see Gen Buell's troops from the river
bank, short distance above US on the left.,o
which point they had forced their way. !.
five o'clock the rebels had forced our left
wing back SO as to oocapy fully two thirds of
our camp, and We're fighting their way for
ward with desperate degree Of confidence
in their efforts 10 drive US into the river. and
al the same time heavily engaged our right.
Up to this time We had received no REIN
fcrcements, Gen Lew Wallace falling to come
TO our support until the day was over, having
taken the wrong road from Crlmp's Landing,
and being without other transports than
those used for quartermas;er's ard commits
sary stores, which were too heavily laden TO
ferry any considerable number Of Gen BuelI's
forces across the river, those that we're here
having been sent TO bring up the troops from
Savannah. We were. therefore, contss.iny
against fearful odds, our force not exceeding
$4,000 men, while that OF the enemy was up
wards of G1.0aO.
Our condition at this moment was ex-
tremely critical Large numbers of men pa
nic struck. others worn out BY hard fighting,
with the average percentage of skulkers. had
struggled towards the river, and could not he
rallied. Gen Grant anc staff, who had been
reckiessiy riding along the lines during the
entire day, amid the unceasing storm OF hul-
lets, grape and shell, now rode from right 70
left, melting the men TO stand firm until our
reinforcements could cross the river.
Col Webster, chief of staff. immediately
got into position the heaviest pieces Of ariil-
!erv, pointing on the enemy's right, while =
large number of The batteries were planted
along the entire line, from the river bank
northwest 10 our extreme right, some two
and half miles distant. About IN hour be-
fore dusk 4 general cannonading was opened
upon the enemy from along our whole line,
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